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Educational Software

An overview and application of the various uses of computer software in an educational context

by

Nathan Freel

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Overview1. Importance of Educational Software

2. Administrative Software3. Academic Software

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Importance of Educational Software

Importance of Computer Literacy

Today’s daily activities use more and more computers to simplify daily tasks

Computers are becoming increasingly powerful tools for the classroom, so teachers should be familiar with technology

Educators should have the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently in the classroom

Choosing Good Software

The textbook and this webpage, http://www.businessknowhow.com/manage/software.htm, offer great criteria for selecting software, but these three guidelines are great for initial consideration:1. Features—Does the software accomplish expected

tasks?2. Reliability/Support—Are there solutions for future

issues?3. Training—Is the interface easy to learn?

Types of Software Licenses

Proprietary Software—software that can be purchased

Freeware and Open Source—software that is free to all

Shareware—software that allows users to “try out” software and gives users the option to purchase it or not

Site license—allows software on multiple machines

NETS•T Standards

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity:Educational software is a powerful tool for designing great learning atmospheres, whether it’s simplifying management tasks or sparking interest in educational topics.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments:More tests today are implementing technology to improve results. Software can create powerful opportunities for unique learning scenarios.

NETS•T Standards

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning:Today’s technology allow teachers to communicate better, to track progress better, and to provide students with the tools necessary to learn effectively in and out of the classroom.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility:Technology offers plenty of power, but teachers have an opportunity to demonstrate the proper use of software and teach basic online skills such as having “netiquette.”

NETS•T Standards

5. Engage in Professional Growth and LeadershipTechnology is constantly changing and evolving. Teachers are expected to stay up-to-date with current trends and implement technologies and make better and effective use of software.

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Administrative Software

1. Productivity Software2. Integrated Productivity Packages

3. Classroom Management Software

Word Processing Software

Document preparation and editing: inserting/deleting text, text selection and enhancement, word wrap and formatting, spelling and grammar tools, copy, cut, paste, and undo

Desktop Publishing: “WYSIWYG” displays, Graphics and Clip Art, Tables and Columns, Autoformats, Word Art

Archiving and Printing

Word Processing Software

Ready-Made Word-Processing Tools Templates—quickly design new documents with set

formats Wizards—walk-throughs that help you get to an out-

come Macros—repetitive sequences that simplify work

Word Processing Software

LibreOffice Writer Apple Pages Microsoft Word Google Docs WordPad

Electronic Spreadsheets

Great for data manipulation: data organizers, budgets, grade trackers, and charts or diagrams

Power of Formulas, Functions, and What-If scenarios

Electronic Spreadsheets

LibreOffice Calc Google Spreadsheets Microsoft Office Excel Apple iWork Numbers Lotus 1-2-3

Database Management Software

Organization: can be shared across a school network

Sorting: arrange records (information) in nearly any way

Querying: search for records that match certain conditions

Reports: make presentable charts or diagrams of records

Database Management Software

Microsoft Office Access OpenOffice.org Base Oracle

Presentation Software

Displays multimedia (pictures, videos, websites, etc.)

Great templates create appealing slideshows Printing options create convenient handouts Animations and transitions add interest to

presentations Display options can give the presenter view to his

notes

Presentation Software

OpenOffice Impress Microsoft PowerPoint Prezi Google Docs Apple Keynote

Email Software

Microsoft Office Outlook IBM Lotus Notes Thunderbird Apple Mail Gmail Yahoo! Mail

Integrated Productivity Software

Simplicity—a similar interface and shared features along with an all-in-one installer reduce some software hassles

Cost-effectiveness—often cheaper when purchased as a package, as opposed to buying each program individually

Less training required

Integrated Productivity Packages

Google Docs Microsoft Office iWork

Classroom Management Software

Assessment Software Classroom Management Software Curriculum Management Software District Management Software Grading Software

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Academic Software

Desktop Publishing

Adobe InDesign Microsoft Publisher Pages

Graphics Software

Photo Editing (Rasterized) software—edit and touch up photos by manipulating individual pixels

Illustration (Vector) Software—uses linear shapes to create pictures that can be expanded to an infinite size

Imaging Software—Edits pictures that have been scanned

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) converts a picture of text into actual text characters

Graphics Software

Paint Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Inkscape Microsoft Office Document Imaging SimpleOCR

Multimedia Software

Audacity Windows Movie Maker iMovie Garageband iTunes Quicktime VLC

Reference Software

Microsoft Encarta World Book Encyclopedia Google Earth Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate WhiteSmoke Stellarium

Authoring Software

Microsoft FrontPage Adobe Dreamweaver

Games Software

Tutorials Software—usually used when presenting new material or just learning new concepts

Drill-and-Practice Software—reinforces previously presented content

Educational Games—Present and review instructional content

Games Software

Mathblaster Reader Rabbit ClueFinders KidPix Zoombinis

Other Types of Software

Simulations

Special Needs Software

Integrated Learning Systems (like integrated productivity packages)

Problem-solving software

Brainstorming/Concept-Mapping software

Academic Databases: online collections of reliable resources

Content-specific software

Conclusion

As educators, it’s important to utilize the various software programs and what their intended purposes are for

Administrative Software is great for professional work and managing the classroom, especially with productivity software

Other repurposed or specifically designed software allows students and teachers to accomplish specific tasks with much flexibility and many options to choose from