INSTRUCTIONAL

SOFTWARE

Name: Matthew Kaplan

Software Title: BrainPop
URL: https://brainpop.com
Function(s) of Instructional Software (check all that apply):
Drill and Practice Tutorial Simulation Instructional Game e-books/e-references
Features of the Software (check all that apply):
Assessment Monitoring/Reporting (Keeps track of student data and/or generates reports for
the teacher) Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students Multi-user or
collaborative functions with others in class Multi-user or collaborative functions with others
beyond local class Accessible to students beyond the school day Accessible via mobile
devices Multiple languages Safety, security, and/or privacy features
Strengths of the Software: BrainPop allows for differentiation for students needing more visual
example, easy to understand, fun graphics, very much content based, covers all content areas, standard-
based, organized well.

Suggestions for Improvement: Make it more interactive, more assessment tools, make it more
appealing to higher grades, more productivity, add more videos.

Standards Addressed: See https://www.georgiastandards.org/Pages/Default.aspx
SS1H1 The student will read about and describe the life of historical figures in American history.
a. Identify the contributions made by these figures: Benjamin Franklin (inventor/author/ statesman),
Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence), Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with Sacagawea
(exploration), Harriet Tubman (Underground Railroad), Theodore Roosevelt (National Parks and the
environment), George Washington Carver (science)

Grade Level/Content Area(s): 1st Grade/ Social Studies
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 Creating
Description of how to implement in the class:
In order to effectively implement BrainPop into the classroom in regards to standard SS1H1, the teacher will use this
instructional software as an activating strategy to grasp the students attention. With this lesson, the students will be learning
about Thomas Jefferson; including his past, accomplishments, etc. At the beginning of the lesson, a video from BrainPop on
Thomas Jefferson will introduce the lesson in a fun and engaging way. This also allows for differentiation because some
students may hold on to information more if it is in a visual modality.

As an extension for this activity, students are able conduct further research on Thomas Jefferson using other resources
besides ones provided by the teacher. For example, if students require an extension, they are able to utilize other books and
websites to find out more about the life of Thomas Jefferson. By doing this, they are able to show a deeper understanding of
the material that is being taught. Considering the fact that BrainPop is the instructional technology that is being used for this
lesson, the students needing an extension can even use BrainPop as an extension because the website is divided up by grades.
Even though BrainPop technically goes up to twelfth grade, the tutorials are not recommended for higher grades as the videos
might fall below the level of understanding for the student; this is simply something for teachers to consider when using
BrainPop.

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 INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE