Such things as reference works, information resources, teaching tools, simulations and a new category of programs called edutainment all are available for teachers to use. One of the first CD-ROMS that an individual may encounter is a multimedia encyclopedia, which often comes bundled with new computers. Combining text, pictures, sounds and video clips, these programs make it easy to retreive basic information on a wide variety of topics, just like their text counterparts. Their strength is in their ability to hyperlink the information in each other to related subjects, allowing the user to easily jump to other articles. Teachers may also find that some CD-ROMS can make their job of teaching easier.
Programs are available for creating lesson plans, producing tests and keeping grades electronically.
Others, like the popular multimedia tool Hyperstudio, allow the teacher to create their own educational programs for use in the classroom. Generally, teachers are not fond of computer games. They often see the time that teenagers spend playing violent and repetitive video games as a total waste of time and the hand-eye coordination they require only of marginal usefulness in the real world. These new titles attempt to educate the user, but try to do it in an entertaining way, thus the description edutainment . The success of games like the popular Myst has created a new genre of titles requiring complex problem-solving and logic.