What are authoring systems? What is the difference between drill-and-practice software and tutorial software? When is it appropriate to use each in teaching and learning?
An authoring system is a computer program that allows people, who are not programmers, create software with programming features. These programs include power point presentations which allow students to view lectures online, and tailored multimedia lessons, which are based on the computer. Hypermedia format, which allows students to jump back and forth throughout the presentation or lesson, is used for both types of authoring systems. For the most part, authoring systems offer a multitude of graphics, interface, and other gear educational software requires. Another advantage of authoring systems is that everyday people can create their own web pages, which would especially be beneficial to teachers who want to provide a learning tool for their students that can be accessed at home. The benefit of authoring systems is the ease with which students and teachers can create their own programs for educational purposes.
Tutorial software is designed to present new information to the student and consists of two types, linear and hypermedia. The linear approach is formatted by using a step by step process. For example, at the University of Southern Mississippi most students have to take the plagiarism tutorial sometime during their college career, which in my case I have had to take it twice for two different classes. Basically it has several sections that you read about plagiarism, what is considered plagiarism and examples of plagiarism in student’s writing. Within each section there are quiz questions you have to answer, to help you decide if you have learned enough to go to the next section. After you have finished all of the sections there is a comprehensive test that you have to pass, in order to display you know what plagiarism is, and if you do not pass, the tutorial lets you know what sections you need to review in order to pass the next time. The hypermedia approach is formatted to allow students to go through the learning program in any order they choose, but it is still similar to the linear approach because the students have to complete some form of evaluation and still receive feedback from the program. Tutorial software can be very beneficial to the student’s learning; even though they may sometimes find the way the information is presented to be boring.
Drill and practice software is intended to review earlier learned content, instead of introducing new information to the student. This software gives instant feedback to the student after answering each question; therefore the student knows where he/she stands throughout the lesson. This software can also gage what level of learning the student needs to be on by increasing the level of hardness if the student gets the question right, or decreasing the level of hardness if the student gets the question wrong. This way the student eventually masters the content of the lesson by building up to that mastery. Drill and practice software is beneficial to the student because they can find out what their weaknesses are in each lesson and then work on those weaknesses, even though it can be boring and a little repetitive. The teacher benefits because the drill and practice software helps them remediate the student, making the teacher’s job easier. Teachers should use the tutorial software at the beginning and throughout their lesson, and use the drill and practice software at the end of their lesson to make sure they go back and cover what needs to be re-taught to the students.
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Linda appears to have a very good grasp of the authority system and the differences between drill-and-practice software and tutorial software. She gives examples of both types of software and how each can be used in the classroom. Both have their advantages and disadvantes. When testing I don't know if I always want to know when I'm getting a question wrong. I would prefer to wait until the end to see my final result. I do feel that a teacher should be able to use which every method when he/she feels it is appropriate.
ReplyDeleteSuperb explanation on tutoring software. It's use can certainly assist in teaching a lesson. In fact it is my understanding that most middle and high schools on the coast use tutorial software exclusively during the summer for math classes. However, as a math person, I do tend to lean toward drill and practice software as being more important. That is the best way to learn math basics, and the software makes life much easier. And dont even get me started on PowerPoint. Presentations can be so much more entertaining, which eliminates boredom. I guess we will get to know authoring software much better later in the class when we design our own webpage.
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