INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE LESSON IDEA

Name: Cassie Smith

Software Title: BrainPop
URL: www.brainpop.com
Function(s) of Instructional Software:
Instructional games are included in brain pop as well as tutorials and drill and practice.
Features of the Software: The features included in brain pop are assessment monitoring and reporting, it
allows teachers to customize quizzes, it is accessible to students beyond the classroom if they have a
computer at home, and it is has a secure and safe login.

Strengths of the Software: This software has wonderful graphics which motivate students to actually
use it and pay attention. It does a great job of breaking down difficult topics so students can understand
them easier. The games are also a lot of fun and helpful as well as the quizzes.
Suggestions for Improvement: It would be nice if this website could be multi-user friendly. That way
you can make use of the website in your classroom when doing group activities.

Standards Addressed: S7L2 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to describe how cell
structures, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems interact to maintain the basic needs of an organism.
Specifically focusing on communicate information about cell structures and cells and the importance of
them in order to survive.
Grade Level/Content Area(s): 7th Grade Life Science
Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required:
Remembering, Understanding, and Applying.
Description of how to implement in the class: The equipment needed for this specific instructional
software is just a computer. Students will need to be able to access the brain pop website in the classroom
as well as outside of the classroom for this lesson idea. The beginning of the lesson with be teacher-led
instruction where I will begin to explain cells and the importance of them for life. I will also explain the
different type of cell structures. We will then all watch the video on brain pop about cells together. After
the video we will take the quiz together as a whole group activity. I will then break up the class and we
will begin the small group activities. There will be different stations throughout the room helping students
understand the importance of cells and how their structures help them function. For homework I will have
my students access brain pop and complete the video and quiz for cell structures. I will have them email
me the results of the quiz so I can assess how my students are doing with the information. From the quiz
results I can then know if I need to review some things about cells or if we can move on with the unit.

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