Reflecting on What I Know

Chapter 11

1. What are the benefits of using problem-solving or educational software?
The benefits of using problem-solving or educational software is the immediate feedback that it offers to the student and teacher. It is a great resource to use in the classroom if it is beneficial to the education of the student. These types of software are structured so that students are encouraged by "winning" and it causes them to want to learn more about the information. This causes the students to not view the software as a test but as something fun and enjoyable.

2. How do I choose the correct softare?
The best way to choose the correct software is to research it yourself. It is important to read reviews by other teachers that have used the software and provided feedback about it. It is important to know the benefits of software in order to make sure they align with the standards or information you are trying to convey to the students in your classroom. It is important to make sure the software contributes to the learning of the students and not just serve as a "babysitter" inside the classroom. The text by Morrison and Lowther gave recommedations for evalutating software, they are: "content accuracy, research-based instructional strategies, alignment with instructional objectives, assessment of learning, and ease of use" (p. 286).

3. When I integrate problem-solving or educational software into a lesson, what changes will be needed?
The integration of a problem-solving or educational software into a lesson differs from the NTeQ lesson plan by 6 different ways. They are, computer functions, research and analysis, results presentation, activities during computer use, activities before computer use, and activities after computer use. You have to first begin to make sure the software aligns with the objectives of your lesson. Once you figure that out you go into detail about the changes that are made in the model that was listed above.

Lowther, D. L., Morrison, G. R. (2010). Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom: Skills for the 21st Century. Boston, MA:Pearson Education, Inc.