Chapter 5-6, Question 3

What are authoring systems? What is the difference between drill-and-practice software and tutorial software? When is it appropriate to use each in teaching and learning?

Authoring Systems include programs that create computer-based customized multimedia lessons and those that create lessons for presentation online.

The difference between drill-and-practice software and tutorial software is that tutorial software is used primarily to present new material, whereas drill-and-practice software is designed to reinforce previously presented content.

For the purposes of teaching, drill-and-practice software should be used to reinforce a student's understanding of a particular concept or body of knowledge. For instance, if one were teaching the capitals and states in a history class, one might use appropriate interactive software to give the students practice and familiarity with that particular set of knowledge. For learning, one could perhaps use drill-and-practice software to ensure competence and accurate knowledge with a particular content before introducing it to students as part of a lesson plan.

Tutorial software should be utilised when the students have no familiarity with a concept or set of knowledge. For instance, if one were teaching an auto-mechanics class one might have the students complete a tutorial program on the disassembling of a car engine before they actually started taking one apart. As learning is concerned, tutorial software is invaluable when teaching oneself content before presenting it to students.