We explain what educational software is, its functions, advantages and what types exist. Also, examples of various types.
What is educational software?
Educational software covers those educational programs and applications created with the explicit purpose of contributing to teaching and learning. This definition includes everything from traditional Computer-Assisted Teaching (CTE) programs to encyclopedias and programs that take advantage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to imitate the tutoring work of teachers in an educational institution.
This definition is always relative and problematic, given that other programs typical of the business and professional world are usually excluded from it, such as databases and word processors, which nevertheless assist teaching and student practice. However, it is considered that the latter have not been programmed with the explicit purpose of teaching and learning.
In general, to consider a piece of software as educational software, it must meet the following minimum considerations:
- Obviously, use the computer or other electronic devices similar for the interface between program and user.
- They were designed with a didactic purpose.
- are interactive That is, they allow student participation and promote the exchange of information between human and system.
- individualize the teaching work so that the pace of work and the dimensions of learning are adapted to each user.
- are relatively easy to use since they usually only require minimal utilitarian computer knowledge.
See also: Teaching resources
Educational Software Features
Normally, educational software comprehensively fulfills different functions, which we can break down for study into:
- Inform (informational function) that is, providing the user with new and detailed information regarding a specific topic, using various formal resources to do so: text, audio, video, etc. Through this information, a structured and organized vision of reality is transmitted to the user.
- Instruct (instructional function) that is, guiding learning explicitly or implicitly, according to a predetermined script or teaching program. This is done with the objective of meeting specific educational goals, such as mastering concepts, managing references, etc.
- Motivate (motivating function) that is, capturing and/or sustaining the attention of students, in order to speed up and energize the learning process, making it more attractive and modern. This is perhaps one of the strengths of educational software.
- Evaluate (evaluator function) that is, giving the student the opportunity to test their acquired knowledge, through tests, exercises and other similar dynamics, then providing them with the correct answers so that they can understand their mistakes.
- Innovate (innovative function) that is, giving the opportunity to new trends and technologies to integrate into the educational dynamic.
Importance of educational software
As virtual and computer dynamics take on more and more spaces in our lives, providing us with new work, recreational and communicative opportunities, education cannot be left behind in taking advantage of the capabilities of this technology.
educational software It is a key piece in the design of new forms of distance education and even has the potential to be incorporated into the classroom, in the not distant future in which this space is highly computerized.
educational software It can currently be a complement to the traditional training process of students, but it is also a commitment to the future that cannot be underestimated, given the direction that the hypertechnological world of the 21st century is following.
Advantages of educational software
Some of the obvious advantages of educational software have to do with:
- allow learning over long distances both group and individual.
- They take advantage of innovative technologies and devices, which they integrate into the youth imagination of today's world.
- facilitate control and evaluation of the students, as well as the feedback between student and teacher.
- facilitate autonomous learning That is, they adapt to the student's schedule and disposition, something ideal for teaching adults.
- make learning more attractive striking and modern.
Types of educational software
Broadly speaking, educational software is classified into two categories, depending on the degree of feedback they offer the user regarding their own learning (that is, their evaluation):
- Management programs also called tutorials, which control the student's activity at all times, and continually examine and evaluate it. The computer requires specific and concrete responses from the student, which can give a very narrow range of possible valid responses, in accordance with a more traditional educational model.
- Non-directive programs designed rather as an instrument or work space (like a laboratory) available to the student, in which they will find what is necessary to learn, with a certain margin of freedom of action allowed. The computer does not act as a judge, as in the previous case, but instead records the information entered by the user and shows the consequences of their decisions, in such a way that the notion of error is not handled as much as that of different consequences. to what is desired. They tend to provide a more autonomous learning model.
- Databases and simulators which contain a large amount of information and allow the user to navigate through it according to certain criteria, thus being able to complete derived activities, such as puzzles, mathematical problems, scientific hypotheses, etc. They can be hierarchical, relational or documentary databases, and simulation environments of different natures, which offer a safe environment to solve certain problems.
Examples of educational software
Some examples of educational software are:
- Coursera. A web portal designed to offer its visitors courses on different topics of knowledge, through text and multimedia material. Many of its courses come from prestigious universities around the world.
- Quizlet. An application that works based on flashcards, and that serves to make it easier for students to prepare for their exams.
- Duolingo. A famous language teaching application, which provides the student with a step-by-step dynamic of language learning, making the most of their Smartphone technology to listen, write and repeat.
Continue with: System Software
References
- “Educational software” on Wikipedia.
- “Educational software” by Pere Marqués at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain).
- “Let's talk about educational software” (video) in Telebachillerato of the State of Veracruz (Mexico).
