There are several different types of software out there. These include drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional games, problem solving, and integrated learning software. Lets look at some examples of each.
Drill and Practice-This gives students practice on concepts they are learning and gives feedback on what to practice. One company that provides drill and practice software is the earobics software company. There website is found at http://earobics.com/. They provide student with practice in reading and literacy. I would use this software in my classroom to reinforce skills such as rhyming, blending sounds and phonics.
Tutorial- A tutorial is program that provides step by step instructions similar to a teacher's instructions. One site that I found that had some tutorials is Brainpop. This site is found at http://www.brainpop.com/. This site offers great tutorial video and activities on a wide range of subjects. Another site is Congress for Kids it is found at http://www.congressforkids.net/. This site would be a great website for students to explore when learning about different topics realated to the government. I would incorporate both of the sites as reference site to go along with other activities in the classroom. I think the video and activities help student learn more about what they are studying in class.
Simulations-A simulation is a computerized model of something real or imagined system that is designed to teach how the system works. One type of simulation would be virtual field trips. I found a couple of sites that offer virtual field or web trips. They are http://www.tramline.com/tm/ and http://www.meetmeatthecorner.org/. With tramline the teacher can go in and create her own virtual field trip or web trip for the class. Meet me at the corner offers some video field trips to meet people and go to different places. Another simulation type game is Oregon Trail. This game simulates a trip to the old west during the pioneer days. A simulation would be something I might set up as a station for kids to work on during a center or free time in my classroom. I think it is a great way to help kids get as close to the real thing as they can get.
Instructional Games-These games combine gaming fun with educational learning. One website I found that offers some educational games is Starfall. It is found at http://www.starfall.com/. This site offers fun educational games for students to practice skill they are learning in reading and language arts. Instructional game software could include Where in the World is Carmon Sandiego. This games has students use clues and tips about places in the world to help capture Carmen Sandiego. I think this is a fun instructional game so use to in the classroom to learn about history.
Problem Solving Software-This software helps students to foster problem solving skills and abilities. One software that I looked at is Geometer's Sketchpad. It is found at http://www.dynamicgeometry.com/. While this offers mostly programs for upper level geometry, it does offer some programs for lower grades beginning at grade 3. I would use this in a 3 grade classroom when beginning my unit on geometry. The games/programs I looked at were great for help students begin to understand basic geometry problem solving skills.
Integrated Learning Systems-These offer computer-based support and resources for instruction, along with summary reports of student progress. One software program I have seen in several schools is the accelerated reader program. You can find out about accelerated reader at http://www.renlearn.com/ar/. This program places students are on a reading level. Students ready books and work up to each new reading level by taking quizzes on the books they are reading. Teachers can then go in and see how the students are doing at each level. They can make sure they are earning the AR points they need. The kids learn that the higher the level, the more points a book will earn them. I like this program because it encourages reading and students can see their reading progress.
These are just few of the many software programs out there for students and teachers to use in the classroom.
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