Classroom Technology Tools

Instuctional Software

Computer programs designed specifically to deliver or support learning activities are collectively refered to as instructional software (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Drill and Practice

Programs where students work problems, usually one at a time, and receive feedback on their correctness (Roblyer & Doering, 2010)..

Meeting Classroom Needs*

Supplementing or replacing worksheets/homework

Preparation for tests

Examples

Earobics

Organic Nomenclature

MacGAMUT

Tutorial

Programs that provide an entire instructional sequence similar to a teacher's classroom instruction on a topic (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Meeting Classroom Needs*

Self-paced review of material

Alternative learning strategies

Instruction in place of teacher

Examples

PhysicaElementa

Congress for Kids

Basic Algebra Shapeup

Simulation

Programs that offer a computerized model of real or imagined systems designed to teach how a system works (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Meeting Classroom Needs*

Supplement/ replacement for lab experiments

Supplement/ replacement for role playing

Supplement/ replacement for field trips

Introduce or clarify a new topic

Foster exploration and problem solving

Encourage cooperation and group work

Examples

Virtual Labs: Electricity

Oregon Trail

SimCity 3000

Instructional Games

Programs designed to increase motivation by adding game rules and/or competition to learning activities (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Meeting Classroom Needs*

Supplement/ replacement for worksheets/exercises

Teach cooperative group working skills

Reward

Examples

Arthur's Math Games

Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego

Alice in Vivaldi's Four Seasons

Problem Solving

Programs designed to either (1) foster component skills involved in solving problems, (2) teach or provide practice in general approaches to problem solving, or (3) teach or provide opportunities to practice solving various problems in specific content areas (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Meeting Classroom Needs*

Teach component skills in problem-solving strategies

Provide practice in solving problems

Encourage group problem solving

Examples

Alien Rescue

The Geometer's Sketchpad

Integrated Learning Systems

Networked or online programs that offer resources to support instruction, along with summary reports of student progress (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Meeting Classroom Needs*

Assessment

Diagnostic

Remediation

Tracking

Examples

The CompassLearning Odyssey Manager

The PLATO Learning System ILS

"Basic Three" Software Tools

Students learn with, rather than from, the "basic three" software tools: wordprocessing, spreadsheet, and database software (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Word Processing Software

Computer programs that facilitate the production of typed documents.Benifits: saving time, improved appearance, and easy exchange of work (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Productivity Applications*

Creating instructional material

Creating lesson plans and notes

Creating reports, forms, and letters

Creating newsletters and flyers

Teaching and Learning Tasks*

Supporting the learning of writing processes

Assigning individual language, writing, or reading exercises

Encouraging writing through the curriculum

Examples

Microsoft Word

Writer from OpenOffice.org

Spreadsheet Software

Computer programs that facilitate the organization and manipulation of numerical data.Benifits: saving time, organized displays of information, and increased motivation to work with numbers (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Productivity Applications*

Keeping budgets

Preparing performance checklists

Keeping gradebooks

Teaching and Learning Tasks*

Making possible visual teaching demonstrations

Supporting student products

Supporting mathmatical problem solving

Storing and analyzing data

Projecting grades

Examples

Microsoft Excel

Calc from OpenOffice.org

Database Software

Computer programs that facilitate the storage, organization, and manipulation of information (text and data).Benifits: saving time locating/updating information, reduced data redundancy, and eased data comparision and data mining (Roblyer & Doering, 2010).

Productivity Applications*

Invetorying and locating resources

Data mining

Using student information

Sending personalized letters

Teaching and Learning Tasks*

Teaching research and study skills

Teaching organizational skills

Understanding the power of information "pictures"

Posing and testing hypotheses

Searching for information during research

Examples

Microsoft Access

Base from OpenOffice.org

Sources

Text

*Roblyer, M.D. and Doering, A. (2010). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (5th Ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Websites

Alien Rescue Game. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from alienrescue.edb.utexas.edu.

Compass Learning. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.compasslearning.com

Congress for Kids. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.congressforkids.net

EA Games. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.ea.com.

Earobics. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.earobics.com.

The Geometer's Sketchpad Resource Center. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.keypress.com/sketchpad.

Interactive Music Games for Kids. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.kidsmusicstage.com.

Journal of Chemical Education. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.jce.divched.org.

The Learning Company. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.learningcompany.com.

MacGAMUT. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.macgamut.com.

Merit Software. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.meritsoftware.com.

Microsoft. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.microsoft.com.

OpenOffice. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.openoffice.org.

The PLATO Learning System ILS. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.plato.com.

River Deep. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.riverdeep.net.

Wikipedia. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from www.wikipedia.org.