Chapter 4 - Basic Software Tools

There are three basic software tools used in education and in society: word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.

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Word Processing Programs

Word processing programs allow educators to produce typed documents on a computer screen with several benefits:

• Save time - Let teachers modify materials rather than create new ones.
• Allow sharing of documents - Teachers can exchange lesson plans, worksheets and other materials.  These can be modified to meet a teacher's needs.
• Create templates - Conference forms, growth plans, reports, flyers, parent letters.
• Enhance appearance - Adult and student work can include clip art to make the document more appealing.
• Allow for Individualization - Word processing programs allow for individualization in the classroom. Students with fine motor disabilities can be allowed to type their work rather than use paper and pencil.  Individual exercises in English grammar, spelling or creative writing can be developed for students that are working at levels above or below the general class level. 

Spreadsheet Programs   

Spreadsheet programs are computerized ledgers consisting of rows and columns that help educators organize and manipulate numerical data.   Educators use spreadsheets to:

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• Organize student data - spread sheets can sort students by data type from high to low or low to high for instructional purposes.
• Average grades - quickly recalculates averages as new grades are entered.
• Keep financial record s - club budgets and checkbooks.
• Create performance checklists - Observable learning expectations can be recorded.
• Create charts for math and science data - students groups can record  information on pre-made charts

Data Base Programs                                                      

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Data base programs allow educators to store, organize and manipulate information thus reducing redundancy. Data base programs are useful for:

• Data Mining - Testing data is stored on websites and can be accessed for Academic Improvement Plans.  plans can be developed for future instruction and student growth over time charted.
• Inventorying and Locating Instructional Resources - a catalog of library materials is available to teachers and students.
• Teaching Research and Study Skills - Students learn to locate and organize information.
• Analyzing Information During Research - Students learn to recognize relationships between bits of information

        James, B. (2009).  Excel Tutorial [Website]. Retrieved from: http://people.usd.edu/~bwjames/tut/excel/1.html

Roblyer, M. D. and Doering, A. H. (2010).  Integrating Technology into Teaching. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Chapter 3 - Instructional Software

Instructional software serves one of five teaching functions.  Software packages may have multiple functions therefore teachers may have to analyze a package to ensure it meets their specific teaching needs.

Drill-and-Practice

• Provide practice activities 
• Students work individually 
• Flashcard activities are the most basic drill and practice function: math fact flashcards available at http://www.dep.anl.gov/aattack.htm from the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory

Tutorial Software

• An entire instructional sequence on a particular topic 
• Can be used without additional help or materials   
• Linear tutorials deliver direct instruction in a sequence of explanation, practice and feedback to all students regardless of performance   
• Branching tutorials direct students along different paths depending  their mastery of the material

Simulations

• Computerized models of real or imagined systems designed to teach how the systems work
• Physical simulations teach students to manipulate processes represented on the screen 
• Iterative simulations speed up or slow down processes and allow students to observe changes as they unfold
• Physical and Iterative science simulations available from BBC Schools at http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/index_flash.shtml
• Procedural simulations teach the proper sequence of steps to perform certain procedures

Instructional Games

• Instructional games add game-like rules or competition to learning activities
• Similar to drills or simulations with appealing formats and activities
• Instructional math games available at:  http://www.aplusmath.com/games/

Problem-Solving Software

• Designed specifically for developing problem-solving skills
• Require students to observe, recall information, sequence, analyze, make predictions and inferences, and draw conclusions
• May focus on mathematics or science content-area problems 
• May take a content-free approach

Integrated Learning Systems

• Computer-based instruction with reports of student progress 
• Combine drill-and-practice, tutorials, simulations, problem-solving, reference and tool software 
• Each lesson  tied to specific objectives 
• Lessons are integrated into the standard curriculum 
• Teacher monitors student progress though reports that indicate  lessons completed,  percentage of accuracy,  time spent on a lesson and test,  pretest and post-test data
• May be accessed through a networked server or downloaded from the Internet

Roblyer, M. D. and Doering, A. H. (2010).  Integrating Technology into Teaching.   Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.