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Educational Software
Educational software is essentially computer software whose primary purpose is teaching. The term encompasses a wide and diverse range of topics from programs for pre-school children (which masquerade as entertainment), to straightforward typing tutors and programs that teach foreign languages. A vital and growing component of the educational software market is training software.
Benefits of Educational Software
An obvious but significant benefit of educational software is that it uses a computer. A computer is an ideal instrument for allowing individualization of a topic. Since some students grasp concepts quicker than others, the computer allows those who understand to move on to other aspects, while other students who are having difficulty, have the opportunity to get more help in understanding the subject. In addition, computers can enhance the learning experience by providing high quality, up to date information, and can encourage students to research and learn for themselves.
Industry Using Educational Software
Outside of the school classroom, educational software is becoming an integral part of industry. Fast paced technological innovation and increasing government regulation means that all industries have an ongoing requirement to train their employees. However, from a business perspective traditional classroom training scenarios have significant disadvantages. The necessity to send staff away from their workplace for a training session, the actual dollar costs of the employees travel and lodging, scheduling difficulties for participants, and for some industries, the overall cost of maintaining training facilities and a large training department are just some of those disadvantages.
Computer based training addresses the problems of many industries with traditional training.
- Controls costs – once a course has been developed it can be stored on a central web site. As technology evolves or regulations change, updating the course and related materials is straightforward and simple. Just update the relevant sections on the web site, there is no need to update and reprint training manuals and course documentation.
- There is no limit on the number of students who can take advantage of the course. The course is available to all employees at all times. This reduces and in some cases actually eliminates the need for dedicated physical training facilities and also minimizes the demand for instructors who can be utilized as course developers.
- The information presented in the course is presented consistently to all participants and the total curriculum is covered. This can be an important element when dealing with understanding government regulations.
- All participants gain a thorough understanding of the course subject, through structuring the course to include online help, self testing questions, learning exercises and reviews.
- Self paced instruction means that all participants can comfortably learn at their own pace. There is no peer pressure to move on or embarrassment for participants who don't quickly grasp a concept or topic.
- Courses can be taken anywhere and at any time of the students' choosing, so there is minimal interruption of the workplace
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Specially designed educational software in combination with the ubiquitous computer has changed the way industry thinks about providing training.
By Murray Anderson
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