Chapter 6
Academic Software
By
Jean Waldrop
ETEC 562 – Spring 2004
Copyright Statement
This presentation contains
copyrighted materials. It is used
under the umbrella of “Fair Use”
for educational purposes.
What is academic software?
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Software that enriches the teaching and learning
process.
Common categories of academic software
- Authoring Systems
- Desktop Publishing Software
- Graphics
- Reference Software
- Drill and Practice
- Educational Games
-Simulations
- Special Needs
- Integrated Learning Systems
- Others including Concept Mapping Tools
Authoring Systems
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Software that allows the educator to easily create
custom computer-enhanced lessons of all sorts.
Hypermedia/ Multimedia Authoring Software
Examples: Macromedia Director K-12, Toolbook,
Apple Hypercard, Hyperstudio (Makes “hyperjumps”)
Web Authoring Software: creates multimedia products
specifically for use on the Internet.
Examples: Microsoft Front Page, Adobe GoLive!,
Macromedia Web Design Studio
Desktop Publishing Software
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Provides the ability to create professional-looking
printed or electronic pages.
Example: Microsoft Publisher
Things you can do:
- class or school newsletters
- posters and signs for classroom or school
- customized booklets for reading, coloring or concept
reinforcement
- award certificates
- flash cards and sight-word cards
Graphics Software
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Software that can be
used to create, edit, or
enhance digital images.
Clip Art Libraries
Paint Programs
Draw Programs
Imaging Software
Editing Software
Paint Program
Reference Software
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Digital versions of volumes of reference
materials that are easily stored on a single
compact disc.
Encyclopedias
Atlases
Grammar Tools
Dictionaries
Tutorials and Drill-and-Practice
Software
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Drill-and-Practice
Software: is designed
to reinforce
previously presented
content.
Tutorials: presents
new material with
frequent
opportunities for
practice and review.
Educational Games
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Present and review
instructional content in
game format.
Examples: Blaster series
(Math, Reading, etc.)
Carmen Sandiego series,
Game of Life, Scrabble,
Chessmaster 6000, Sid
Meier’s Civilization II,
SimCity 3000.
Simulations
 Software
packages that present to the
user a model or situation in a
computerized or virtual format.
 Examples: Flight simulator software,
chemistry lab simulations, dissecting a
virtual frog, virtual civilizations.
Special Needs Software
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Software designed to address
the requirements of learners
with special needs as the
result of a variety of physical
or learning impairments.
Examples: software that
reads words aloud as they are
displayed on the screen,
software that enlarges text on
the screen, speechsynthesizing software.
Integrated Learning Systems
 ILS
are hardware-software
combinations of equipment and
programs designed to assist students in
learning targeted objectives. It
combines classroom management
tools with tutorial software.
Other Academic Software
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Problem-Solving Software: Written to help
students acquire and practice problem-solving
skills. (Forming and testing a hypothesis,
applying theories, and predicting outcomes.)
Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI): any
software that uses the computer to tutor or
review content and provide a platform for
reasoning with reference to content.
Brainstorming/Concept-Mapping
Tools
Conclusion
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Consider the software that will best address the
needs of all learners and achieve your
instructional objectives.
Takes effort to review, evaluate, and select
software because there are hundreds of choices
available.
Academic software will increasingly become a
necessary and exciting part of teaching and
learning.