INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE

Choose one Instructional Software title. Complete all fields in the following template to describe the
software and how you would use this product in your future classroom to help students achieve required
learning standards.
Note: This template uses the forms feature in MS Word. Select the highlighted text boxes and type over
the sample text. Simply click on the boxes to check them.
Name: Alex Riggin
Software Title: I- civics
URL: https://www.icivics.org/products/games
Function(s) of Instructional Software (check all that apply):
Drill and Practice

Tutorial x Simulation x

Instructional Game

e-books/e-references

Features of the Software (check all that apply):

x Assessment Monitoring/Reporting (Keeps track of student data and/or generates reports for the
teacher) x Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students x Multi-user or collaborative
functions with others in class
Multi-user or collaborative functions with others beyond local
class x Accessible to students beyond the school day x Accessible via mobile devices
Multiple
languages x Safety, security, and/or privacy features
Strengths of the Software: This software is excellent because it is full of a variety of colorful, fun,
government-based games and simulations. Games can played by one student, multiple students, or
as a class. It also provides simulations like how to run a campaign, and case studies. It also has
guides to help teachers and point them in the right direction.
Suggestions for Improvement: The areas that may require improvement are the monitoring
features. While the website does state that you can track student progress after each game or
simulation, they lack in the ability to see whether students are staying on task during the lesson.
While teachers should walk around the class and keep an eye on student work, it is impossible to
stay ontop of every student at all times without such features as team viewer or something that
allows the teacher to see a students actions from the teachers screen.
Standards Addressed: See https://www.georgiastandards.org/Pages/efault.aspx
SS6CG1 Compare and contrast various forms of government.
Grade Level/Content Area(s): 4-12
Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply). See
http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy

Remembering
Understanding
Applying
Analyzing
Evaluating x Creating
Description of how to implement in the class: This lesson will require the use of a lab
classroom. Students will take a seat at a computer and go to the civics game board. The teacher will
have the students access the executive branch from the list of available sections( this is unit for
this lesson). They will then open up the branches of power simulation.
This game is an excellent interactive game that allows students to control all three branches of
government and write any laws that they see fit to any issue. The students will simulate the checks
and balances features of the government, analyze the structure and function of each branch, and
illustrate the law-making process at the local, state and federal level. This simulation is individual,
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and will require the teacher to constantly monitor student activity but promotes higher level
thinking, and reaches the applying, analyzing, and creating levels of Blooms taxonomy.

* Examples of common instructional models include whole group, teacher-led, student self-paced, small
group, or individual learning activities. Use as many of these descriptors or other descriptors as apply.