1. Instructional Software in the
Art Classroom
Molli Brown
EDTECH 541
Su 2012

2. Relative Advantage of Using
Instructional Software
Instructional software can have a high relative advantage in any
classroom including the art room. It is not meant to replace a teacher but rather
enhance or assist teachers in helping students to grasp course material. If used
correctly the relative advantage, or perceived potential of instructional software,
can be great. This software acts as a solution for a variety of learning problems.
It can offer visual examples, help to make abstract concepts more concrete,
supply immediate feedback for students, establish links between skills and real-
world problems, provide structured and self-paced learning environments,
reusable materials, and so much more. There are five main types of instructional
software: drill and practice, tutorials, simulations, educational games, and
problem-solving software. No matter what subject or grade level, there are
endless options out there to try. This presentation will focus on those applicable
for K-12 art educators.

3. Evaluating Instructional
Software
When choosing the best instructional software for your classroom there
are a number of things to consider. First, would be whether or not the software
is free. Teachers often do not have the budget to purchase instructional
software so this can be a big determining factor as to whether or not they’ll be
able to use it. Next, one might consider reading reviews or evaluations of the
potential software. If nothing else, experiment using it to see if students would
benefit from it. If reviews are available on a particular software it’s good to
make sure they’re coming from an independent third party so as not to be
biased. Here are a couple to look into for any subject content.
 The Learning Village
 Power to Learn
 Discovery Education’s Review Corner
 Children’s Technology Review
 Education World’s Software Reviews

4. 5 Types of Instructional
Software
As I said earlier there are five types of instructional software. In the proceeding
slides will explain the purpose of each type and it’s potential use for K-12 art teachers.
 Drill and practice
 Tutorials
 Simulations
 Educational Games
 Problem-Solving Software

5. Drill and Practice
 Definition of Purpose: Drill and practice software offer practice sessions to
students allowing them to work at their own pace. They give example exercises
that offer can offer immediate feedback to students as they work through them
recalling information learned.
 Potential Use: In the art room drill and practice software can help students
prepare for a quiz on an artist, style of art, specific artwork, or technique or
medium. Some software has quizzes and things like this already prepared for
teachers to offer students. Others allow you to tailor it to your specific use.
 Relative Advantage: Drill and practice sites are excellent for providing students
with immediate feedback, they can increase motivation, and replace wasteful
worksheets.

6. Drill and Practice Examples
 Funnel Brain- Funnel Brain offers teachers or students
a chance to create their own virtual flashcards. By
searching for art or art history Funnel Brain will show
sets of cards already created for those subjects. This
can be tailored to help students of any age practice art
or art history facts.
 Are You Art Smart?- Contains five quizzes on various
art content knowledge that was created using a tool
called MyStudiyo. The quizzes were created by art
QuickTimeª and a
teachers and the information the quizzes covered are
for younger students grades 3-6 learning basic art
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
knowledge about color, the elements of art, and well
known artworks.

7. Tutorials
 Purpose-
 Potential Use-
 Resource- (with description)

8. Simulations
 Purpose-
 Potential Use-
 Resource- (with description)

9. Educational Games
 Purpose-
 Potential Use-
 Resource- (with description)

10. Problem-Solving Software
 Purpose-
 Potential Use-
 Resource- (with description)

11. Resources
Robyler, M. D., & Doering, A.H. (2013). Educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Boston,
MA: Pearson.