Computer SoftwareA Lesson Using Concept Attainment

EDTE 280Ben AndersonDiana Ganju

Dave MargolisMonica Range

Bonnie Sugiyama

View labeled pairs of examples/non-examples

Compare the attributes

Generate hypothesis; write on handout

Test hypothesis against unlabeled examples

State the definition of the concept

Generate additional examples

If you know the concept, please keep quiet until discussion

How the Lesson Works

Computer SoftwareWe are going to compare two distinct categories of computer software. The software in one of these categories has unique characteristics not shared by other software. Our goal is to assist you in defining this unique category.

can you figure out what they are?

Looking at the examples to follow,

Controls what isdisplayed on yourmonitor

Enables you tosend instantmessages

YES NO

Controls the output that is sent to aprinter

Enables you toedit and touchupphotographs andcreate otherimages or graphics

YES NO

Provides accessto a floppy diskor CD-ROM

Enables you to capture and edit video clips on your computer

YES NO

Have you spotted any similarities or characteristics that separate the “YES”

examples from the “NO” examples?

Here come some more…

Manages files and folders

Enables you tocompose andsend e-mails

YES NO

Recognizes input from the keyboard and mouse

Automates the preparation of your income tax forms

YES NO

Do you have an idea of what distinguishes the “YES” examples from the “NO” examples? Write your hypothesis in the first box on your handout.

Now, see if your hypothesis holds up in light of the remaining examples…

Manages memory on your computer

Enables you toview Web pages

YES NO

The most essential program on a computer

Enables youto create a presentation with slides, text, and graphics

YES NO

Manages all other programs on a computer

Enables you to create word processed documents

YES NO

Considering the additional examples shown, do you have to edit your hypothesis?

If necessary, revise your hypothesis and write it in the second box of your handout.

Now it’s time to test your hypothesis.Identify the next examples as “yes” or “no”.

Manages the hardwareand software resourceson your computer

YES

Enables you to analyze,store, sort, and performoperations on varioustypes of data

NO

Did you have to change your hypothesis to accommodate the last examples?

Share with your neighbor about the characteristics you’ve noticed about the “YES” examples

If necessary, revise your hypothesis and write it in the third box of your handout.

Now it’s time to see if your hypothesis was correct.

In all the “YES” examples, the attribute is one that represents a characteristic of a computer operating system.

In the “NO” examples, the attribute represents characteristics of some other type of software.

NO

YES

The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

-webopedia.com

Operating System

On your handout, give two examples that might represent computer operating systems.

Then, give two examples that represent computer applications.

What thinking processes assisted you in adding and eliminating concepts?

How did you decide to eliminate concepts after seeing more examples?

What use did the non-examples play in helping you to add or narrow the concept?

What did you think about as you wrote your examples?

Discussion

Lesson Web Site & Support Materialshttp://www.edmedia.net/courses/280/final_project

References