EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

WHAT IS A SOFTWARE

A DVD that we buy from a music shop is actually a software! Our DVD player is the hardware device that will read the software from the DVD and display the movie on the television screen. So, a software is a collection of computer programs, written in high - level programming languages, scripting languages etc.


TYPES OF SOFTWARE 

There are three types of soft ware:
1. System Software: E.g. Operating systems.
2. Programming Software: Includes tools used to create, debug other Applications E.g. compilers, debuggers, text editors.
3. Application Software: E.g. Internet Browser used to display a web page.

EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE

Educational soft ware is computer soft ware for the primary purpose of teaching or self-learning. To stop environmental degradation and to make institutions take the "paperless" path, a number of educational soft ware are being used in schools today. Courseware( material used by teachers or trainers and is a package that contains various lessons, tests etc.), classroom aids to assist classroom teaching (can be viewed using a projector and a screen), assessment software(to assess and test students in a virtual environment) are widely in use today in schools, universities and corporate houses(for staff-training). In schools, the students complete tests and examinations using a computer, usually networked. Each test is scored by the software and final result given for each student.


Encyclopaedia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite is a Reference Software. The links given in the articles make it easier to understand difficult words and dig deeper into the given topic. Online reference software like Wikipedia allows any individual, expert or non-expert, to create and edit reference works. Other software include Driving test software, language learning software(e.g. KVerbos), spelling tutor software etc.

IMPORTANCE

Students who might not like the idea of sitting in class,  listening to a lecture and  filling worksheets may be delighted at  the thought of an educational software especially designed to teach maths using sound and graphics. Educational software can be used by children to help them learn and by the teachers to assist them in managing classroom data. Educational software use one of the following methods for teaching 
1. Drill and practice
2. Tutorials
3. Simulation
4. Problem solving
5. Games
6. References, etc.

Using  educational software makes lessons more interactive and entertaining. It is however important to make sure that the software content matches the topic and level of difficulty of the child it is meant for. Another essential factor is that the software should be able to hold the user's attention, teach the topic properly and be easy to use. So, the age group for which the software will be used should be taken into account. Quiz software used in schools can improve a child's memorizing ability, logical thinking, vocabulary etc. Some of these software prove very useful for individuals with disabilities. Recorded sounds and lessons for blind children and visual aids for deaf has proved to be very effective. Students can be inspired by sound and visual effects and get interested in subjects like Science and Astronomy, Mathematics and Geography. So, it is a way of learning and having fun. It allows you to learn at your own pace and education becomes what it is really meant to be interesting.