6 types of instruction software and guidelines in evaluating the CBI materials

1. Instructional Software
1. Drill and Practice
Definition
Drill and practice software provides exercises in which students work example items one
at a time and receive feedback on their correctness.
Features
 Reinforce instruction by providing the repetition necessary to move acquired
skills and concepts into long-term memory.
 Capture and retain the attention of students.
 Save teachers’ time and efforts.
 Personalize instruction by meeting individual differences among learners.
Example
Master the Facts Multiplication:
This program was created in response to teachers to use in their classrooms to teach
multiplication. Students using Master the Facts Multiplication for as little as ten
minutes a day to practice multiplication skills may demonstrate marked
improvement in multiplication skills on quizzes and tests..
2. Tutorials
Definition
A tutorial exposes the learner to material that is believed not to have been previously
taught or learned. A tutorial often includes pre-test, post test and drill and practice
activities.
Features
 Follow linear programmed instruction or branching design.
 Encourage students to interact, control and response to the program.
 Guide the learner throughout learning from the beginning (objectives) to the
end (evaluation).

2.  Have computer-management capabilities (e.g. data collection).
Example
Food Hygiene
This tutorial is designed to teach students at a school a complete course on food
hygiene which concerns food and the prevention of illness and maintenance of
health. Uses well-prepared text supported by pictures, audio and video clips.
3. Simulations
Definition
A simulation is a computerized model of real or imagined system designed to teach how
a system works and allows learners to create their own sequence for using simulation.
Features
 Involve students into learning process.
 Compress time or slow down processes.
 Save money and resources.
 Make experimentation safe.
 Make impossible situations possible and controllable.
 Let student repeat events as many times as they want.
Example
Infinite Physics Simulator
Infinite physics simulator has a large collection of objects useful for optics simulation
including mirrors, prisms, lenses and other transparent objects.
4. Instructional Games
Definition
Instructional games are courseware designed to motivate learning by adding game rules
to learning activities.

3. Features
 Make learning fun and motivating (Edutainment).
 Motivate learners via the challenge of competition.
 Engage the learner in a situation where the learner is competing for a high
score.
 Include elements of adventure and uncertainty.
 Provide different levels of complexity that match player’s ability.
Example
Save the Math Apples
Help the monkey save the apples! Click on the basket with the number to give the
answer. Keep clicking the basket to add numbers to your answer.
5. Problem-Solving
Definition
Problem-solving software is a type of content-free or content-based programs that
places emphasis on critical thinking, analysis, logic and reasoning via the presentation of
set of data or problematic event.
Features
 Stress thinking processes rather than correct answers.
 Expose students to a series of activities that would help teach the desired
skills.
 Help students work together in small teams.
 Give students opportunities to see how information applies to actual
problems.
 Vary the amount of direction and assistance depending on the each student’s
needs.
Example
StressAlyzer

4. This program provides students with many problems in Mechanics of Materials to
solve. Students get immediate feedback on whether they solve each problem
correctly, and they are offered randomly generated versions of similar problems until
they can be solved correctly.
6. Multimedia
Definition
Programs that support the interactive use of text, audio, still images, video and graphics
and manipulate them to support learning.
Features
 Enhance text only presentations by adding interesting sounds and compelling
visuals.
 Engage a variety of learning modalities (visual, auditory and possibly
kinesthetic) which can appeal to various learner styles simultaneously.
 Allow development of more engaging, persuasive presentations.
 Focus practice of skills that support transfer of learning.
Example
Scholar’s Desktop.
This program provides a series of modules for teaching, using a combination of media.
Students can visit many museums around the world and explore many environments as
they visit it.
MS Photo Story
This authoring tool allows students to create their own digital stories using text, audio
and pictures and export their projects into a digital movie.

5.  Can be visited on the Internet or can be bought from software shops or dealers.
 The teacher through his school should decide on the best computer-based
instructional (CBI) materials for the school resource collection.
 But beware since CBIs need much improvement, while web-based educational
resources are either extremely good or what is complete garbage.
 Be extremely careful.
 Don’t be caught up by the attractive features forgetting their instructional worth
 Evaluate the design and content elements:
 Text legibility
 Effective use of color schemes
 Attractive layout and design
 Easy navigation from section-to-section
 Clarity in explanations and illustrations of concepts and principles
 Accuracy, coherence, logic of information
 Relevance/effectiveness in attaining learning objectives
 Absence of biased materials
 Gender bias
 Racial bias