Educational+Computer+Software

Educational Computer Software

There is a huge variety of computer-based software available for use in the classroom. The software available can be used in a range of ways to suit the different needs of the user. It is important to use the software available, not in isolation, but as part of an integrated teaching approach which supports and compliments the face-to-face teaching.

Some software is designed to be used as tools (such as word processing and writing software, art and presentation software, concept mapping or music-making software etcetera). Although many of these software tools are not specifically designed for use in an educational setting, and most are used by a range of users, they are still able to be utilised as valuable educational tools.

There is an abundance of software programs developed specifically for educational purposes that can be exploited in the classroom to support student learning. These programs come in the form of computer-base educational games and activities which cover all curriculum areas. There is also software available that allows teachers to set and mark student tests.

One of the main challenges presented with the use of educational-based software is choosing the appropriate activities, tools and games. With the huge number of programs on offer, care is needed to select a program that matches the educational needs and desired outcomes of the students. Caution is also needed to ensure that the computer programs compliment and support the other class room learning. For example, if you are doing a math unit, the terminology that the computer-based math program uses needs to match the language used by the teacher in order to avoid confusing students.

The ever increasing list of educational software available on the internet is able to service a host of student and teacher needs. Below are some examples of the type of software available that caters to a range of different needs. Some online programs have a charge, however, the activities below are almost all entirely free.

__Educational activities, games and tests:__

[|(IXL)]: is a New Zealand math site. It provides activities that are ordered by year level and covers the Year 1 – Year 9 range. A handy feature allows you to hover the cursor over an activity and an example question appears.

[|Telescopictext.com]: is a interesting and interactive English language-based site that illustrates how students are able to elaborate on simple sentences.

[|Free Rice]: is a word association game. It is appropriate for anyone over the age of about 6 (including adults). The difficulty level adjusts automatically and free rice is donated to the World Food Programme every time you get a correct answer!

[|Spelling City]: is based at the junior primary level. It offers games and activities such as hangman (//Hang Mouse//), word searches, crosswords as well as spelling and vocabulary tests.

[|That Quiz]: isn’t a teaching program but is great for revision. It offers activities on Maths, English, Science and Geography. You can adjust the difficulty level easily.

[|Crickweb.co.uk]: offers a good selection of educational activities based at the early primary age. It also offers some games that have a smaller educational component that the activities. The site can be a bit difficult to navigate at first but there are some good activities to be found. Look under the ‘Key Stages’ tab for subject specific game.

[|Time Monsters]: teaches children how to read a clock and offers activities for children to test their understanding. I have seen this used effectively in a classroom of Year 1 and 2s.

[|Knowledge Adventure]: is a site that offers a number of games. You can choose games by age or by subject but the educational component in most of the games is not strong so may be used more as a reward for students that a learning exercise.

[|ICT Games]: offers some good numeracy and literacy games based at the early primary. The games have a strong educational component. The site is fairly easy to navigate.

__Other resources:__

[|Class Marker] allows you to make test online. The program marks each student’s answers and provides the teacher with the results. This site can be customised to your class.

[|Te Whanake]: a great Maori enducational resource that has animations, podcasts, language tests and an online Maori dictionary.