The usage of innovative technologies in the field of education is not something new.
Nowadays, many educational institutions are employing technologies like educational softwares in order to make the process of learning and teaching more efficient.
According to an estimate the global eLearning market will reach $167 billion in 2026.
If you are a person related to the education industry and confused about the usage of these educational softwares. Then in this article we are going to explain the benefits of the software and also how you can procure them.
First let’s dive into the brief introduction of this software.
What is educational software?
An educational software is computer software with the sole aim of self-learning and teaching.
This is a general term which applies to all softwares created specifically for the learning or teaching process.
These softwares have become the essential constituent of the educational system world over because of the facilities they provide. For instance, access to the parents so that they can keep an eye on the progress of their children.
Well, there are also different types according to the function they perform.
What are the types of educational softwares?
The most common types of software are given below:
Teaching and Authoring softwares:
This software helps teachers or instructors in the development of their own instructional software. For example, teachers can make their own electronic flashcards and other multimedia content like lessons and tutorials.
Graphic And Simulation softwares:
This type of educational software provides images or graphics that make learning easy, interesting and interactive. These softwares are particularly useful for creating online presentations.
Simulation softwares allows the teacher to teach students through virtual experience. Virtual experience mostly makes learning interactive and interesting for students.
Tutoring Softwares:
The tutorial softwares consists of giving students new information and also giving them time to practice and evaluate their performance while also allowing them to learn information at their own pace.
Practicing Softwares:
Practicing softwares help in learning and practicing the particular skill set of students. These softwares contain tests and quizzes about a particular set of areas thus helping students in enhancing their skills.
Management Softwares:
This type of softwares aids the educational institutions in easing the administrative burden by digitizing the admission process, enrollment and registration process, attendance and other manual tasks.
Why do you need educational softwares?
The top benefits given below have also increased their demand and popularity.
Benefits of educational software
Consolidated Data:
The various forms of education softwares are solely made to keep the information combined in a common repository. Plus focusing on the related data in a specific program helps in providing clear insights and analysis of exact facts about the particular data.
Increase in Efficiency:
These softwares play a key role in enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of students. For instance, class resource management softwares manages the use of devices by students in the classroom and teachers can track and manage student device activity.
Other than this the reference material, and e-books etc. provided can prove to be cost effective as well as time efficient.
Multimedia Tools:
The multimedia tools like graphics, images, sounds, videos, audio and animation make the process of teaching and learning more interactive and interesting.
Open Communication between all Stakeholders:
The educational software development has facilitated the teachers, students and parents. As by the usage of forums, and portals the process of interaction can be continued between the teacher and the student or learner and the instructor. In short, this is an equipment which has made the communication process easy.
How to develop educational software?
Before the development of education software, it is important to keep following things in mind.
- Select the type of software in relation to education you want.
- Determine your users and jot down their needs.
- Select service for educational software development.
- Make sure your software has these features defined below:
Simple Interface:
Plan a simple interface so that a user can move from one activity to another easily. Also, the navigation of the program should be intuitive for users at the grade level software is designed for.
Meaningful Graphics:
The graphics used in the software should serve to increase the learning experience of the user. The graphics are only valuable when they are easy to understand as well as support educational intent. Or else, they are nothing more than a waste.
Easy use:
The software should be easy to use. The language and the whole process of entering in to the software as well as leaving should be unchallenging for the user
Speed
The software speed should be fast especially for the schools that have slow internet connection. Also, the lethargic software can irritate the user causing frustration which can eventually lead towards the abandonment of the learning process. Make sure the software you are planning to have should be fast in speed.
Feedback loops
The good educational softwares provides feedback to students and teachers. These feedback loops are mostly used to indicate a student’s progress in easy formats like bar graphs etc. It is important that the software you are planning to obtain must have feedback loops.
Information and Instructions:
The resources like multimedia dictionaries, reference materials, and e-books etc. must be present in the software. It is important that the per se material is present within the planned curriculum to achieve goals.
It is of no doubt that the educational softwares have made the learning and teaching process easy and interactive.
If you want to make the learning process more fun or want to ease your administrative burden with an efficient school management system or want to provide up to date knowledge and new skills with educational platforms and online courses like Coursera and Udemy.
