Relative Advantage of Instructional Software in the Classroom
According to Roblyer (2016), “instructional software is a general term for computer programs used specifically to delivery instruction or assist with the delivery of instruction on a topic” (p. 75). There was a time, in the days of early development of instructional software, the thought was that computers would take over the job of teachers. This, of course, has not happened and today computers and its software are now viewed as a powerful means of support for teachers and learners in transforming education.
Drill and Practice Software
Definition
Drill and practice software, in its most basic form, is educational software that gives students practice problems and immediate feedback. This type of software provides exercises for the student for already obtained knowledge (usually from directed instruction) and then provides feedback on their performance.
Benefits and Limitations
There are many benefits to drill and practice software. It can help in the process of moving knowledge from short term to long term memory. Merrill & Salisbury (1984) and Salisbury (1990) state that drill activities can allow the effective rehearsal students need to transfer newly learned information into long term memory. It can be an effective motivator for students which will decrease discipline problems in the classroom and help students to learn the content more quickly and more deeply. It provides immediate feedback to the student which is important as it prevents students from practicing wrong answers. Drill and practice software also saves the teacher time in developing and assessing student practice work.
One of the limitations to drill and practice software is its misuse. It should not be used to introduce new material. This is not what this type of software was designed to do. A second limitation comes from the constructivist learning theorists. They believe that drill and practice contradicts new learning pedagogy such as personalization and inquiry-based learning and is too separated from the connections of real life.
Relative Advantage and Example
There is definitely a relative advantage to using drill and practice software in high school business management. There are many basic mathematical and spreadsheeting skills that need to be mastered before higher-level learning can occur. This type of software would allow students the ability to work much faster on the menial tasks of spreadsheeting and accounting, thus, giving students the opportunity to use the extra time to understand the more difficult concepts and relate them to real-life situations.
An examples of drill and practice software are listed below:
- Debit/Credit Flashcards - Drill and Practice for Principles of Financial Accounting - Link
This example uses flashcards to allow students to practice drilling the rules of debits and credits. Mastering and applying the rules of debits and credits is a critical concept essential to understanding the functions of the accounting cycle including how information flows through to the financial statements. Instructors can modify the flashcard questions to suit their specific needs.
Tutorial Software
Definition
Tutorial software is considered true teaching software. It is developed to teach a concept without the need for additional outside instruction and should include all the necessary components for students to learn a topic with little to no input from the teacher. Tutorials may include summaries, videos, drill and practice (to access long term memory), immediate feedback and may even include record-keeping to keep track of scores on the practice problems. Doering & Veletsianos (2009) and Roblyer (2016) state that the best tutorials are self-paced and self-contained instructional sequence, allowing students to review concepts they did not understand, or move ahead of the class into new material.
Benefits and Limitations
Tutorial software is very useful with the use of new teaching strategies such as the flipped classroom. The instruction is given at home through the use of tutorials and then frees up time for inquiry work the next day at school. Tutorials are also valuable for students who need more time to understand a concept or have missed a concept altogether. This type of instruction can alleviate some of the stress on students (and teachers) who can not keep up with the class or have been absent for a period of time. There is also the benefit of drill and practice and immediate feedback.
There are also limitations to tutorial software. Constructivists argue that tutorials do not give the student the hands on knowledge required within their learning theories. They believe the use of direct instruction will not allow the students to transfer their knowledge to lifelong learning. There is also the lack of well designed tutorials. The design of many tutorials do not that take into account all of the research on how to teach a topic well. One more limitation to tutorials is they usually only reflect one approach to instruction. Many teachers feel that the use of a certain tutorial goes against their unique way of teaching. They use certain strategies that the tutorial can not match.
Relative Advantage and Example
The relative advantage of using tutorial software in high school business management is it may reduce the stress on students and therefore give them a greater ability to learn. There are many times that a student has missed class or is unable to understand a concept the first time. Tutorials can be used to catch up a student or have a student review a concept without feeling singled out by the teacher. They will feel like they belong in the class. Tutorial software is usually easy to use and understand and gives immediate feedback and allows self-pacing.
An example of a tutorial instructional software for spreadsheets is listed below:
- Google Sheets - GCF LearnFree - Link
This tutorial will show you how to use the powerful tools in Google Sheets for organizing, visualizing, and calculating your data.
Simulation Software
Definition
Simulation software is a computerized imitation a real-life or an imaginary environment. They are used in either direct or inquiry-based learning. The best things about simulations is it brings real-life situations to students without the cost or danger of actually being involved firsthand. They can be used for demonstration, exploration, manipulation, imagination and allows students to experience things that otherwise may not be possible.
Benefits and Limitations
There are numerous benefits of using simulations for learning. First, it saves money. It can save the school board money in the costs associated with a field trip or buying all of resources needed to do an experiment. A second benefit of this type of instruction is it is safe. There are many things schools do now that weren’t possible only a few years ago. Students don’t have to go into space to discover what it is really like on the moon or the have tragedies like accidents from texting and driving. The third benefit of this type of instruction is it fits nicely with the constructivist views on learning. There are endless possibilities when it comes to lifelong learning, inquiry-based learning and personalized learning.
There are two distinct limitations to using simulations. The first is the inaccuracy or simplification of models. This could give students a distorted view of real-life situations. Second, both the American Chemical Society (2008) and the National Science Teachers Association (Davis 2009; NSTA 2007) have come out against using simulations as a teaching tool and feel they should only be used as supplements to regular labs. These associations both feel that hands-on activities are better for students than virtual ones.
Relative Advantage and Example
Their is a strong relative advantage to using simulations to teach accounting. Students really do not feel the concept of accounting at an early age unless they see it in a real life context. Using simulations allows the student to not only use the knowledge learned in class but also understand its importance to everyday life in business.
An example of a simulation in accounting is listed below:
- GoVenture Accounting Simulation - Link
GoVenture Accounting simulation enables you to gain practical accounting skills while running a virtual business. More than learning basic bookkeeping, GoVenture Accounting puts you in the role of a business owner where you can directly experience the impact and importance of accounting in a business.
Instructional Game Software
Definition
An instructional game is educational software developed to help students learn by incorporating some sort of game or competition to reward or motivate students. There is usually a set of rules to follow. These types of games can be used in all sorts of manners - usually taking the place of boring, mundane assignments such as worksheets and can be used to supplement traditional learning.
Benefits and Limitations
Roblyer (2016) states that “a classroom without elements of games and fun would be a dry, barren landscape for students to traverse” (p. 94). Instructional games can add to a classroom. They motivate students to be engaged and give them an entertaining way to learn something new. If students are engaged, there is more learning and a decrease in discipline problems.
The main limitation to instructional game software is the student’s inability to separate the fun from the learning. The question has always been “is the student learning authentic skills?” A second limitation to using games in the classroom is its misuse. Too many teachers will overuse the software and it becomes a babysitting technique. Some teachers will use it as a reward system for some students instead of using them for its designed purpose - as a tool to help students learn.
Relative Advantage and Example
The relative advantage of this software is its ability to engage students. If the game is used correctly, the motivation behind winning the game will enhance the students desire to learn.
An example of an accounting game is listed below:
- JA Titans Simulation and Game - Link
The JA Titan Accounting Simulation Game enables you to gain practical accounting skills while competing in a competition to see who makes the most money selling Halo Generators in their virtual business.
Problem-Solving Software
Definition
Problem solving software is used to develop student’s problem solving skills. The software can teach in two ways. It can teach general problem-solving skills - teaching the step-by-step process included in solving problems - or can help students acquire the problem-solving skills through authentic work and practice. This software is good for the redesign of high school - to focus on the problem-solving skills students will need to succeed in the real world.
Benefits and Limitations
The benefits of using problem-solving software include the motivation of students. This is done by providing the students with the ability to apply their learning to authentic situations. They stay engaged and on topic for longer periods of time.
There are some limitations to problem-solving software. Many times the skills acquired cannot be easily transferred to real-life situations. The software oversimplifies the concepts and the students therefore do not connect with the real-life situations expected.
Relative Advantage and Example
Accounting is a topic which demands authentic learning. It is essential that students learn the concepts that can be transferred to real-life situations. The relative advantage of using this type of software in business management is that students gain the problem solving skills to excel in this type of career. They will be able to look at a financial problem and do the required things to help the business succeed.
An example of a problem solving software in accounting is listed below:
- JA Titans Simulation and Game - Link
JA Titan Accounting simulation game enables you to gain practical accounting skills while competing in a competition to see who makes the most money selling Halo Generators in their virtual business. Students must use collaboration and problem-solving skills to make a virtual business succeed.
As a business management teacher, there is always a question as to whether to use instructional software to enhance the learning situation in the classroom. Accounting has always been very rigid when it comes to instruction. However, the relative advantages of the instructional software available to teach business management are overwhelming and must be used in the classroom. The use of drill and practice, tutorials, simulations, games and problem-solving instructional software can all enhance student learning in some way or another. Drill and practice allows the student to transfer prerequisite tasks into long term memory so they can accomplish higher-level learning in the future. Tutorials can help engage the students and reduce student stress by letting students work at their own pace. Simulations are very helpful in showing potential accountants what authentic accounting work looks like. It creates motivation and allows students to enjoy the process of accounting. Instructional games create student engagement by giving students a chance to compete with others in the class about management concepts and how much money they can earn. Finally, problem-solving instruction is important in that it creates transfer skills of concepts to real-life situations. It is probably overkill to use all of the software available but it is nice to know that the resources are out there. It is time for us to use them and get our students excited to learn.
Reference
Roblyer, M. D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
No comments:
Post a Comment