The emerging multimedia world has brought many new inventions to the world.

There are many new products created to make the learning easier. Today, teachers are
utilizing computers in their classrooms as more than a basic productivity tool of word
processors, spreadsheets, and databases. One of the new breed of softwares,
instructional courseware, has a good potential to trigger students' interest and to teach
challenging subjects to the students. This magnificent software also known as
computer-assisted (or aided) instruction (CAI) where the computer can assist the
teacher in implementing any or all of the four essential phases of instruction for
instances presenting information, guiding the student, providing student practice and
assessing student learning. A teacher needs to be vigilant over the current changes of
the resources used in the classroom, so that she or he would know the right time to
implement CAI in the classroom and how it can lead to a successful teaching and
learning process parallel with appropriate learning theories. Teachers also must realize
that they even can create their own instructional courseware, so that they will be able to
adapt to the students’ language proficiency level, interest and abilities.

Basically, there are three types of instructional softwares; drills and practice, tutorial
and simulation. Drill and practice is one of the instructional softwares that is suitable for
the young learners as it provides a good computer-based practice after a particular
lesson in a class. This is important as every learning session needs to be back up with a
good exercise. Thus, using this software will eventually enable us to arouse their
interest towards a particular topic. Drills are designed to give students the opportunity to
practice what they have already learned according to the level of difficulty. This can be
related to the behaviorist learning theory where it emphasizes on the habit formation.
Constant practice is needed in order for the pupils to apply the learnt concepts in a
lesson. For example, Math Blaster and Reader Rabbit are the types of instructional
softwares used in a particular class. As quoted from Lieberman,D by Riverdeep,
“Reader Rabbit programs offer intriguing adventures, helpful feedback, and wonderful
opportunities to put learning into practice.” We can use Math Blaster to give a good
practice on calculations, such as multiplication, division, algebra and so forth. This
software can provide immediate feedback to mistakes, suggest supplemental activities,
and even able to record students’ results. We believe this is important as it provides
opportunity for the teachers to keep track of students’ progression after each lesson.
This interactive software is applicable for most subjects such as mathematics, foreign
languages, spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. However, the software suits better for
factual subjects compared to open ended subjects.

Next is learning through tutorial courseware. This type of courseware is able to

strengthen the learners’ engagement in direct and continual two-way communication
with the computer. This tutorial is very crucial in presenting a new material for a
particular lesson. For example, Science tutorial software will be very useful in teaching
about spaces. Tutorial helps to create an active participation in classroom as it
generates eagerness among the pupils to learn further about a topic. This is because
the usage of animated and colourful graphics and video helps the pupils to visualize
things taught better. To add on, this type of software creates independent learners as it
encourages them to explore a topic independently with limited guide. Hence, this
discovery learning method will lead them to think more critical about a subject.
Moreover, these tutorials permit students to learn at an individualized rate. However, a
teacher should be particular in choosing the correct tutorial for their lesson so that it
matches the objectives, goals, and content. Usually tutorials are often combined with
other types of computer assisted instruction such as drills.

Besides that, simulation is another instructional courseware which is unique as it gives

the student a chance to participate in a real-life decision-making situation. It is an
effective way of learning because it requires problem solving and decision making skills.
This can be done by using the software like Oregon Trail, Why Ville, and Second Life
where the students can easily work in groups to solve simulation problems.

Besides, these virtual realities encourage constructivism theory as the pupils acquire
knowledge through self experiences. Second life, for instance can be use as a medium
to do discussion or brainstorm about a particular issue as supported by Graham Stanley
“There is a great opportunity to do this in SL and work on projects such as machinima /
theatre in order to motivate students to use language in a real way”.
References:

Lehman, J. D., Newby, T.J., Russell, J. D. & Stepich, D.A. (2006). Educational
Technology for Teaching and Learning (3rd ed) Ohio: Pearson

Siglar, Jamie. (2010) Instructional Courseware. Retrieved January 27th 2010, from
http://www.write.co.nz/mainsite/HowToWriteReferencesForInternetPagesAn
dOnlineResou.html

Stanley, G. (2010).Interesting talk on Teaching English in Second Life. Retrieved

February 2nd 2010, from http://avalon-
project.ning.com/profiles/blogs/interesting-talk-on-teaching

Clark,E.C.(2009). Play Oregon Trail online, free. Retrieved February 2nd 2010, from
http://cdevroe.com/links/oregontrail-online/

Riverdeep. (1999).Reader Rabbit Reading Series. Retrieved February 2nd 2010, from
http://www.eacenter.net/docs/hmlt_reader_rabbit.pdf