Third Educational Software Blog

The website ( http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/grammer/grammer_tutorial.htm) this blog focuses on is one which uses tutorial instruction to teach learners. The site is therefore constructed using a directed strategy and acts like a human tutor by providing all the information and instructional activities a learner needs to master a topic: information summaries, explanation, practice routines, feedback and assessment (Roblyer, 2006).

This software focuses on grammar development and punctuation and is recommended for young learners. The pictures and colours used on the home page are bright and interesting and will capture a child's attention.

The Grammar Tutorial introduces nouns verbs and adjectives using interactive pictures and attractive sounds. Here, information summaries and explanation are used. The other games on the page provide practice routines, feedback and assessment.

The verb game tests knowledge of verbs by having students whack a robot with the verb with a mallet like a popular arcade game.

In the adjective game, players are required to select an adjective by clicking on a spider to feed it with a fly.

In the game, Noun Explorer, the noun is selected by clicking on a fish to

feed it with a worm.

Another game is presented on the page and that is the Comma Chameleon game. Here the student has to select a comma or other part of speech, then select the place in a sentence where the comma goes. This game provides practice, feedback and assessment of the usage of the parts of speech.

the game is available online and so combines the advantage of convenience with its tutorial advantages. However, there is no print option on the page and so the disadvantage of teachers not being able to present the work in the classroom presents itself.

Overall, the software is fun and easy to use and will provide valuable instruction to young learners, especially those who are just in the process of learning about parts of speech and punctuation.

Teachers may find it useful to issue this as review homework for those students with a computer at home or may use it as a means of review while integrating technology into education, in the classroom.

There are innumerable tutorial websites available for use. Two of these sites were discussed at:

alexiyya.blogspot.com and shomarihector.blogspot.com

Educational Software Blog 2

Website: www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

This website immediately grabs the attention of users due to the bright colours and fun audio enhancement found on the home page. It has levels of instruction for beginners, intermediate students and advanced students involving games from "alphabet bears" and "poetry pickle" . The software is of the instructional game type and so follows a directed teaching strategy. This means that it increases learner motivation by adding game rules to drills or simulations (Roblyer, 2006).

It is software that is available online and so students have access to it with out paying a fee. It is therefore very useful in the computer laboratories in school. It would provide valuable instruction as a lesson of both computer usage and the development of different concepts. The disadvantage of the site is that it does not have a printable section so it is not appropriate for use in the classroom unless the classes are all equipped with computers. There are resources for parents, teachers and kids and so involves all those individuals needed for a student's learning process.

Overall the website appears to be fun and highly interactive and one that will engage learners and allow them to have fun while learning.

There is more available information on the Earobics program to be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU_3lKNx4EU