The "Relative Advantage" of Educational Software

In a recent Silicon Tower posting, I wrote about a teacher who jumped right in to using Kidspiration software, believing it would give a great advantage over pencil-and-paper graphic organizers. But does it really?

In that example, the teacher would have actually been better off using graphic organizers on paper, even though one big advantage of Kidspiration is that it will convert a visual organizer into a basic writing outline -- a transition that isn't always easy to do otherwise. This advantage of using the software tool is its relative advantage -- the advantage that it has in relation to an alternative or traditional method of meeting the same goal. However, software -- like other educational technology (and all technology, in general) -- is just a tool, and thus must be weighed for both its advantages and disadvantages. Although there are many, many applications and instances where educational software tools will provide a clear advantage, we must be sure we are using the right tool for the right job at the right time. It cannot be denied that, sometimes, computers are simply not the right tool.

In the example here, the relative advantages of using Kidspiration versus pencil/paper organizers was that it was new/novel (thus inspiring and motivating students) , that it saves resources (paper and time needed to make worksheets), and that it helps students transition from concepts and ideas to structured, organized writing. However, the disadvantages were that the teacher was unwilling or unable to teach the students effective use of the software, and that the students could only use this tool once per week for 30 minutes (whereas they could have repeated and unlimited practice in class or at home on paper.)

It is extremely important that we evaluate and understand the advantages of educational technology tools before spending valuable resources (time and/or money) on them. Software tools need to be purposefully selected and integrated into instruction not based on how "new", "cool", or "powerful" they are, but based on whether the technology provides an advantage in meeting an educational goal. Let us consider some of the ramifications of jumping headfirst into using a technology before evaluating its purpose or advantage for the educational task:

1. If the software is poorly designed, or is brand new but untested or unproven, it may be worse than using traditional methods or older technologies.
   
2. If the software is a good tool, but not the right tool for the lesson at hand, student performance will suffer and students will learn less than if they didn't use the technology at all.
3. If the teacher is untrained, unwilling, or unable to teach and guide students in effective use of the software, it will not be effectively integrated.
   
4. If using traditional methods (pens, pencils, books, paper, verbal discussions, etc) would result in superior performance or better learning, then it is a waste to use technology.
5. If any of the above occur, instructional time is wasted, learning is impeded, and the reputation of using educational technology is harmed. If low performance is perceived to occur in spite of (or even "because of") technology, this will make it difficult to convince anyone to invest future time, money, or effort in acquiring and using educational technology.

So what is the solution?

The solution to this problem lies in carefully weighing and considering the benefits or relative advantage of a given technology when applied to a specific learning task, challenge, or obstacle. We must consider:

• What is the problem that needs to be addressed?
• What tools (traditional or cutting-edge, or anything in-between) are available to address that problem?
• What tool(s) provides the greatest advantages in addressing the problem or meeting the goal?
• Is that tool's relative advantage worth the cost? If not, is there another relatively-advantageous tool that is more cost-effective?

One way to do this is by creating a "Relative Advantage Chart" (click here to see an example) in which you list problems/needs in one column, solutions in another column, and advantages of technology solutions in the third column. If the technology does not offer a clear advantage, it probably should not be used. If it does offer clear advantages, this helps to make the case to administrators or teachers who may be reluctant to spend time or money in purchasing, learning, or integrating these solutions into the curriculum.

One great way to evaluate the (potential) advantages of educational software is to use one of the many existing sites or instruments for software evaluation. Click here and scroll down to "Educational Software Review Instruments" and "Educational Software Review Sites" at Kathy Schrock's guide on DiscoveryEducation.com: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/sci-tech/scicom.html

In addition, I will soon be updating TechEdWorld.com to be a full-featured educational software resource, including:

• links to multiple educational programs (to buy, download, or use online), searchable by grade and/or subject
  
• review and evaluation of each program
• basic training tutorial videos to help teachers (and students and parents) quickly learn how each program works and how to effectively use it