Analysis of Five Instructional Methods for Teaching Sketchpad to Junior High Students

Abstract

This manuscript addresses a problem teachers of computer software applications face today: What is an effective method for teaching new computer software? Technology and engineering teachers, specifically those with communications and other related courses that involve computer software applications, face this problem when teaching computer software designed to assist in graphic design, web design, programming, robotics, etc. The question of what instructional method would prove most effective is one that affects not only teachers but also IT trainers, as computers and computer software applications continue to be the primary tools of work and leisure. Despite the increase in computer software application use, the associated literature on instructional techniques used to teach computer software is inconclusive in regard to which instructional methods are the most appropriate for teaching new software, especially in junior high technology and engineering classrooms. This study was designed to help identify best practices for teaching a new computer software application to junior high students. Five commonly used instructional techniques by technology education teachers were used to teach a new computer software, Sketchpad, to various samples of junior high technology education students. Related Literature A review of literature related to technology teaching, software application instruction, instructional methodologies, and other related topics was performed as part of this research study. However, because the focus of this paper is to describe and analyze teaching a new computer software application to junior high students using five different instructional methods, the literature review will focus on a description of the five instructional techniques used in this study.