Week 3

Drill and practice software provides exercises for students to work example items and receive feedback in their correctness. An example of drill and practice software used in my classroom is IXL math. It is tailored to my students and provides feedback to them to show if they got that particular math problem correct. The program sends me a weekly report on my class, which is wonderful for adapting the math problems to each students' needs.
Instructional game software add game-like rules to learning activities. Where I teach we use Harcourt reading, with the series there are two wonderful instructional game software programs. Splash Into Phonics is for lower grades and Comprehension Expedition is for upper grades. My students absolutely LOVE going to the computer station to play "that game" on the computer. My students have no idea I am sneaking skill practice into their computer time.They see the games as fun! I see the benefit of using instructional game software in my own classroom. Students want to spend more time "playing" the game when it is fun for them.
In past years, when I taught third grade, I used simulation programs often to teach how systems work. The www.congressforkids.net site is great for showing the U.S government to students. The site also provides a check for understanding.
Overall, I believe that any use of instructional software must meet the needs of the classroom.