Learning Log: Week 5 - The Readings

Q: Describe the different types of instructional software in your own words.

Drill & Practice - Users are given problems or questions, they are asked to answer them, and then have their answers assessed. Directed Instruction. Pros: Immediate feedback, it saves teachers preparation and instruction time, motivates students. Cons: Using to teach new concepts instead of reinforcing learned ones, non-integrated teaching method

Tutorial - Like a human tutor, it provides the information and activities for students, in order to gain knowledge on a specific topic. Tutorials stand alone: students should be able to learn information or concepts without other assistance or materials. Directed Instruction. Pros: Self contained, self-paced instructional method, includes drill and practice. Cons: directed learning/not hands-on, lack of good software, disagreement in approaches between teachers and software.

Simulation - virtually models real or imaginary things/places/etc. to show how they work or demonstrate key concepts. Combination of Directed and Constructivist Instruction. Pros: Can compress or slow down the time of complex processes in order to investigate them, safety of experiments, save $ and resources. Cons: accuracy of the software, replacing hands-on experiments and investigations.

Instructional Game - Applies game or gaming rules to Drill & Practice and/or Simulation activities in hopes to increase motivation in students. Combination of Directed and Constructivist Instruction. Pros: Makes learning fun, retention over time. Cons: Recognizing the difference between learning and having fun, applying the learning in games to life situations, pinpointing ed. value, becoming an "electronic babysitter."

Problem Solving - Goes through the steps of solving a problems, as well as gives students the opportunity to solve problems on their own. Combination of Directed and Constructivist Instruction. Challenging activities, motivating students to spend more in depth time on a project, illustrates situations in which to use skills. Cons: Clarity of skills being taught, not learning intended skills, not suiting learning needs of all students, non-transference of skills.

Q: Where can you envision using these tools in your classroom?

Drill & Practice - I don't give very many exams that are not performance based, but for my Theatre History and Stagecraft exams I can understand how this type of software could help motivate students to study for an exam. However, I tend to doubt the availability and/or abundance of Theatre History and Stagecraft software.

Tutorials - Again, could be helpful for students, especially special needs students, to help review material already covered in class. In addition, it could be helpful for students who have a particular interest in a certain genre of theatre that is not covered in that class, to explore further.

Simulations - This could be useful in taking field trips to places that no longer exist (ancient Greek theaters, or medieval pageants) or visiting places that are not relatively close (Shakespeare's Globe in London.)

Instructional Game: Not quite sure when I would use this. I would like to get the electronic classroom Jeopardy game to review for tests with my students, but that seems to be more drill and practice than instructional. Are there instructional acting/directing/playwriting games?

Problem Solving - Possibly in the technical area of theatre, especially with light and sound. Breaking down problems into their components could be helpful for students.