Instructional Software

By Greg AndradeEdTech 541 | Integrating Technology into

the Classroom Curriculum

Content AreaDigital Photography & Graphic Design

High School Grades 9th through 12th

Definition of Instructional Software

Any type of software that is designed to deliver instruction and promote student learning.

The most common types of Instructional Software are:

Drill & PracticeTutorials

SimulationsInstructional Games

Problem Solving

Drill & PracticeDrill & Practice software allows learners to learn through repetitive practice. Drill & Practice can be a simple or small task that can consist of memorization, vocabulary, arithmetic problems, historical terms, etc. The more the learner applies drill & practice skills the more ingrained learning becomes to the learner hence, practice make permanent.

Types of Drill & Practice Activities are:Flash Cards

Branching DrillExtensive FeedbackChart Fill Activities

Drill & Practice in Digital Photography

& Graphic Design

There are few companies that support the creative fields

however, Quizlet offers a flash card software for Graphic

Design on Graphic Design 1950 Final

Drill & Practice

Relative Advantage

• Game based instruction

• Motivates learner to practice

• Immediate feedback by the instructor

Tutorials

Tutorial software can be viewed as an electronic instructor that

delivers information and teaches step by step instruction either

through online web based instruction or through software for

a specific content or academic area. The great advantage of

tutorials is that the learner can view a specific task over and

over when remediation is needed.

Tutorials in Digital Photography

& Graphic Design

There are many tutorial resources for these two areas.

The most popular are:

Lynda.com

Adobe Education Exchange

Digital Tutor

Tutorials

Relative Advantage

• The tutorial process encourages learners

to practice.

• Tutorials can be viewed independently and can

be used for remediation .

• Immediate feedback by the instructor.

Simulations

Simulations are virtual models that can show or

demonstrate through either ideas, concepts,

procedures or methods. Learners can interact and

practice skills through emulating the tasks .

Simulations can be categorized in two areas:

Teaching about something

Teach how to do something

Simulations in Digital Photography

& Graphic Design

There are few Simulation resources for these areas however, two sites that have both

tutorials and simulations combined are:

Design Tuts Plus

Kern Type: a kerning game

Simulations

Relative Advantage

• Learner is in and safe and controlled

environment.

• Simulations can be viewed over and over or

can slow down simulation for better retention to

complex concepts, theory or practice.

• Very cost effective

Instructional Games

Instructional games can increase enthusiasm and foster

motivation through game based components that can

incorporate both drill / practice and simulations. This type of

instructional software can be very stimulating to the learner

because of its game qualities which can also stimulate

competitiveness.

NeoK12

Spoonful

Instructional Games in Digital Photography

& Graphic Design

Researching through Internet there were literally no

Instructional Games for digital photography or graphic

design. Yet, Adobe Captivate is a great tool to use to

create instruction, quizzes and games for any content

area. The only two instructional games sites were for

drawing and illustration:

Instructional Games

Relative Advantage

• Software is game based which fosters interest

hence, spending more time learning .

• Promotes skill building through repetitive

learning

Problem Solving Software

Problem solving Software teaches the learner through step by

step procedures to solve the problems at hand. The learner

recognizes the objective, thinks of the steps in order to

achieve it. It can be through guided practice with

explanations and reasoning supported by the electronic tutor.

Super Kids

Problem Solving Software in Digital Photography & Graphic Design

Researching the Internet there were no problem

solving software for digital photography or graphic

design however, this site presents the leading problem

solving software for K-12 learners:

Problem Solving Software

Relative Advantage

• Problem solving promotes critical thinking skills.

• Promotes skill building through repetitive

learning

Resources:

http://quizlet.com/

http://quizlet.com/8620443/graphic-design-1950-f

inal-flash-cards

/

http://www.lynda.com/discover/graphic-design

http://www.photography-colleges.org/50-free-phot

ography-lessons-you-should-take-for-fun

/

http://type.method.ac/

://spoonful.com/video/how-draw-mickey-mouse-h

ow-draw-disney-charactershttp://www.neok12.com/Arts-and-Crafts.htm