The importance of instructional software is undeniable. As our students continue to be born with technology everywhere they look, how can we, as educators, not use our students' main source of entertainment to our advantage? I feel the advantages to using instructional software far outweigh the pitfalls.
A few of the benefits I found in my classroom are:
1. Increased ability to provide one to one instruction. As I was able to implement instructional software into my classroom last year, I found that as I had students doing differentiated work, I was able to provide more one on one time with both my struggling students and the students that had a good understanding of the concepts we were discussing. It was beneficial for all parties in my classroom.
2. Ease of 'menial' tasks in my classroom. When I could use games or drill and practice functions in my room, I was able to reduce the amount of grading I had to do which gave me more time to focus on developing my lessons and integrating even more software.
3. Students could do more group work and problem solve together. It has become more important now than ever to give students a chance to problem solve with others in a group. As our classrooms become places of cooperation and sacrifice of perceived personal advantages, I have been able to teach my students about working together and giving other people's ideas a chance to be heard.
4. Concepts are reinforced at an individual student's pace. We are back to individualized instruction; there are enough students in the classroom, that not all students are going to keep up with all that is going on in the room. With instructional software, they are able to rewind and review at their own pace without feeling like they are left behind or are bored out of their minds.
As technology continues to be more accessible in the classroom and the software available continues to improve, students can be more engaged in their learning. It is my job as an educator and teacher to provide my students with the opportunities to find for themselves the complex ways of navigating their own education and life.
A few of the benefits I found in my classroom are:
1. Increased ability to provide one to one instruction. As I was able to implement instructional software into my classroom last year, I found that as I had students doing differentiated work, I was able to provide more one on one time with both my struggling students and the students that had a good understanding of the concepts we were discussing. It was beneficial for all parties in my classroom.
2. Ease of 'menial' tasks in my classroom. When I could use games or drill and practice functions in my room, I was able to reduce the amount of grading I had to do which gave me more time to focus on developing my lessons and integrating even more software.
3. Students could do more group work and problem solve together. It has become more important now than ever to give students a chance to problem solve with others in a group. As our classrooms become places of cooperation and sacrifice of perceived personal advantages, I have been able to teach my students about working together and giving other people's ideas a chance to be heard.
4. Concepts are reinforced at an individual student's pace. We are back to individualized instruction; there are enough students in the classroom, that not all students are going to keep up with all that is going on in the room. With instructional software, they are able to rewind and review at their own pace without feeling like they are left behind or are bored out of their minds.
As technology continues to be more accessible in the classroom and the software available continues to improve, students can be more engaged in their learning. It is my job as an educator and teacher to provide my students with the opportunities to find for themselves the complex ways of navigating their own education and life.