Give examples of the different types of software (drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional games, problem solving, and integrated learning systems) that you could use in your classroom. Be specific and mention actual software or websites and describe how you would use them in the classroom.
For drill and practice, I would use IXL.com (http://www.ixl.com) in the classroom. IXL.com is a web tool that makes math practice fun. It provides individualized learning to strengthen student’s math skills. What I love about IXL.com is that it gives specific explanations for incorrect answers and questions increase in difficulty as students improve. Once a week, I have a computer lab slot where I would let the children work on IXL.com to practice math skills.
Pete’s Powerpoint Station is an example of tutorials. This website has a variety of powerpoints arranged by subject/topics for students to learn from and practice skills. The only problem I have with this site is that you have to spend a lot of time searching age appropriate material since it is not specified under each option. I have used the plant tab when teaching about plants. There is a tab on “How Plants Grow” where you can select a powerpoint on the life cycle of a plant. The children read the slides and learn about the life cycle of a plant. Toward the end of the powerpoint are slides to use for practice or assessment. What I do is go back to the website and select the link titled “Watch Plants Grow” under the Kids section, which takes the kids to a website that allows them to apply what they have learn by labeling a plant, growing a plant, and taking a online quiz.
An example of a simulation is the website http://www.primarygames.com/socstudies/lemonade/start.htm. Here you will find a simulation game to teach students how to manage money when running a lemonade stand. Students will have to consider pricing, quality control, inventory control, purchasing supplies, and weather conditions. Students receive feedback from each day’s results and from animated customers, which helps the students to manage money and make logical decisions on how to run a business. At the end of 30 days, the students can see which person and/or group made the most. I would place students in cooperative groups to work on this assignment for social studies.
An example of an instructional game is iBoard (http://tes.iboard.co.uk), which is free activities for early childhood classrooms that can be used on an interactive white board or desktop computer. The website has an abundant number of activities divided by subjects, but I have only used the numeracy tab at the moment. The way I use this resource in the classroom is after introducing a math concept, I find the appropriate game that corresponds with the lesson and have students practice the skill on the interactive white board during math stations.
Essential Skills is computer software I would use for problem solving skills. The supplemental software helps accelerate learning and builds academic self-confidence based on student’s ability levels. The software provides practice in literacy and math skills. I would use the math section in my classroom, which has a problem solving tab containing activities in Numeration, Geometry, Measurement, Data Management and Probability, and Patterning and Algebra. Some of the problems given under the problem solving tab are great practice for preparation for the ARMT exam, where students have to give written explanations on how to solve a problem.
Pearson Education offers the software Waterford Early Learning as an integrated learning system. The software offers supplement materials for classroom and home use for PreK through second grade students. The program is set to meet the needs of students learning in reading, math, and science. Each student works on his/her individual performance level, whether you are a student who struggles or a student who excels. The program is research-based, child-friendly, and easy for teachers to implement into the classroom. The way I would use the software in the classroom is by having the students take the assessment given at the start of the program to determine each individual’s level of performance. I would allow the students to use the program during literacy stations, math stations, and science centers during the week to keep them engaged and progressing at their on pace on the skills they need work in.
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