Software ApplicationsFor Education

ED205 Computers In Education

The Role of the Operating System

• Software can be categorized as System Software or Application Software.

• System Software consists of programs that control the operations of the computer and it’s devices.

• There are two main systems: Windows & Mac OS• System Software is the “Interface” between you,

your application, and your computer’s hardware.• Each time you start your computer, the system

software is loaded into the computers memory

The Role of the User Interface

• The User Interface controls how you enter data or instructions or how information is presented on the screen.

• The most common interface today is the Graphic User Interface or “GUI”

• The GUI was introduced by Apple Computers in 1984

Application Software• Application Software consists of programs

designed to do specific tasks.• An application can be used for the following

purposes:– As a productivity/professional tool– Support for school and professional activities– Assisting with graphics and multimedia projects– Helping with home and personal activities– Facilitating communications (email, Internet, etc)

Types of Software Support Tools

• Productivity tools to explore in ED-205– Word Processing (MS-Word)– Spreadsheets (MS-Excel)– Presentation Software (MS-PowerPoint)– Multimedia Authoring ( PowerPoint & Hype

rStudio)– Imaging Software (iPhoto)– Graphical Organizers (Inspiration)– Video Editing Software

Other Types of Software Support Tools• Materials Generators• Data Collection & Analysis Tools• Graphics Tools• Planning & Organizing Tools• Research & Reference Tools• Specific Content Area Tools

– CAD/3-D Modeling– Music Synthesizers – Scientific equipment– Reading Tools

• The two websites below offer many tools for the classroom teacherwww.edhelper.comwww.teachernet.com

More Tools For The Classroom

• Test Generators

• Worksheet Generators

• Puzzle Generators

• Bar Code Generators

• Certificate Makers

• Form Makers

• Gradebooks

Word Processing• Advantages

– Time Savings– Better Appearance– Sharing

• Issues– When to introduce Word Processing– Necessity of keyboarding skills– Effects on handwriting/spelling/grammar– Impact on assessment– Impact on Writing Skills

When To Use Word Processing?

• Writing Processes

• Dynamic Group Products

• Individual Writing, Reading, Language exercises

• Encouraging Writing Across The Curriculum

Spreadsheets

• Advantages– Time Savings– Creating Charts– Answering “What If” Questions– Analyzing Data

When To Use Spreadsheets?• Teacher Uses

– Grade Book– Budgets– Attendance Charts– Assessment Checklists

• Student Uses– Demonstrations– Products– Problem Solving

Data Bases• Advantages

– Reduce Data Redundancy– Time Saving (locating and/or updating

data)– Comparing information through searches

• Issues– Privacy Issues

When To Use Data Bases

• Teacher Uses– Inventory/Locating Instructional Resources– Information to plan instruction– Mail Merging

• Student Uses– Research & Study Skills– Organizational Skills– Posing/Testing Hypotheses

Desktop Publishing

• Classroom Applications– Letterheads– Flyers/Posters– Brochures– Newsletters/Magazines– Books/Booklets

Presentation Software• Advantages

– Time Savings– Better Appearance– More Motivation for students

• If projection equipment is not available the software can still be used to produce overheadsor handouts!

When to Use Presentation Software

• Teacher Uses– Lectures– Overhead Preparation– Handout Preparation– Interactive Presentations

• Student Uses– In place of written reports– To present projects

Web Authoring

• Designed to make webpage creation easy.

• Works much the same as a word processor.

• HTML code (& other code) is created in the background.

• MS-Frontpage, Adobe GoLive, Nvu (free -- built from Netscape and Mozilla code), Dreamweaver (Sean’s choice)

Nvu -- html editor -- free

http://www.nvu.com/features.php

Multimedia Authoring Software• Multimedia Authoring Software is used to

create electronic presentations that can include text, graphics, video, audio, and animation.

• Teacher Uses:– Interactive Presentations

– On-Screen Presentation

• Student Uses– In place of written reports

– To present projects

HyperStudio

Imaging Software

• Imaging software allows you to manipulate and edit images and photos to create professional looking results.

• This software is a must if you are using scanners and digital cameras (e.g., for your photography lab).

• I-View is an easy to use “Freeware”program. iPhoto free for Macs.

Adobe PhotoShop

This is very expensive software, but it’s awesome!

Graphical Organizers

• Inspiration and Kidspiration are the most popular graphic organizers in K-12 today (you can try it for free on campus computers)

• They are used to help students visually organize information, outline material, and plan projects

Inspiration/Kidspiration

Video Editing Software

• This software allows both teachers and students to edit digital video and create professional looking video on tape, disk, or the internet.

• iMovie, Windows Moviemaker II, and Pinnacle studio are example of this type of software.