One Step Further (ICT Integration)

ICT resources for maths teachers

About educational software use and categories

Educational software is an extremely broad category, and one that has been poorly defined. One could look at it in many ways, but for the purposes of this module we suggest that you regard educational software as predominantly computer-based software that enhances and/or supports teaching and learning. Software is a programme that allows you to perform various tasks on the computer. Educational software is just one of the teaching and learning resources that you could use. Your choice of educational software should be determined by your specific needs. You look for a resource that can fulfil a specific function in your context – that context is determined by the curriculum outcomes. Software would be appropriate if it helped your learners to achieve the learning outcomes and assessment standards through one or more of:

• repetition and practice (especially in Foundation Phase and remedial situations)
• basic skills development
• cognitive (thinking) skills development

in the broad context of your learning area content.

However, the topic of educational software is more complex and we recommend that you read the following before continuing to the activity:

• How age and level of learners influence software use - to give you an idea of how the use of software could change as learners progress through the Phases.
• Different purposes of educational software - to give you an idea of some different types of software that could be used in the classroom.

For the purposes of this module we will categorise educational software into the following categories (We would like you to focus on the first six):

Developmental

1. Basic skills development - basic numeracy and literacy development in the lower phases. e.g Maths Blaster
2. Creativity and organisational tools - content-free tools that enable the learners to organise and present data in creative ways without the purpose of actually developing cognitive skills.
3. Cognitive skills development - content-rich educational software that aims to develop thinking skills, especially higher order thinking skills such as problem solving, decision making, synthesis, analysis, evaluation.
4. Remedial and special needs - software specifically designed or specifically appropriate for use in circumstances of remediation and special needs.
5. Simulations - software that simulates what could be done in reality such as flying a plane.

Instructional

6. Learning area-specific content and skills - this may overlap with other categories , but the concepts would be specific to learning areas rather than general cognitive or basic skills.
7. Repetition and practice - sometimes known as drill and practice, providing a high number of repetitive tasks to develop mastery.
   
   The following categories are not discussed:
   
8. General reference and informational CD's
9. Applications
10. Administrative
11. Online resources
12. Predominantly print resources that have limited CD resources.

Quite often software will have a combination of the above. For example, many programmes have built-in assessment; many basic skills development programmes include repetition and practice.