Software in Education

I’ve been investigating different types of software that can enhance learning not only in second language learning, but also in any educational environment. Most of the reading that I’ve done about integrating software into a classroom has lead me to the conclusion of “use in moderation”. Like anything else in technology it’s easy to go crazy and buy all the software out there so it seems like we are doing something to benefit our students, when actually we could be distracting them from the educational components.

Does the software teach the student or the student teach the software?

Software in education can be a tricky business as we need to research the educational companies selling the products. Are the products designed to compliment the intended learning outcomes? Does the company have a valid reputation and perhaps produced other educational materials? As teachers, we want to refrain from the concept of “edutainment”. Are your students using the software as a means to engage and increase the learning potential or are they simply being entertained? Before choosing software for your students, think critically about the product and the activities involved. Like most aspects of technology, software should be used as a teaching tool and not as a lesson plan.

1. Will this task hinder the learning process or enhance it?
2. Are the activities involved similar to those I could do without a computer?
3. Am I using the computer as a tool or a lesson?

Some of my favorites

1. Inspiration/Kidspiration: Mind mapping software that can be used as an individual or group brainstorming activity. It can be used in all subject areas to help students analyze, organize and create meaningful connections. You can even try before you buy! http://cf.inspiration.com/freetrial/index.cfm?fuseaction=insp_qual_form

2. Microsoft Office: This software has a lot to offer in its various components. MS word has many features that can be used by both students and teachers as a word processor and advanced users get great benefits as you can use: grammar/spell check, html, graphics, code corrections, tables/charts and as well as inserting spreadsheets, pictures, and hyperlinks. MS PowerPoint is software used for presentations. Lectures, facilitators, students and teachers use this software to show slides which include sounds, and graphics (moving and still), internal/external hyperlinks. Advanced printing features include slides for viewers for note-taking and editing tools. MS Publisher is a forgotten area as some may believe it’s only for adverting and posters. It is in fact a great tool for educators to create professional looking WebPages (that requires no previous knowledge of websites). They have excellent templates to work with and you simply need to fill in the blanks! Microsoft also provides free downloads and add in from their website to compliment all of their tools.

Your Say!

Do you have any special software that you enjoy using with your class?
What has worked really well in your learning or the learning of your students?