Allyn and Bacon 2002Teaching and Learning with Technology

Administrative Software

Chapter 5

Teaching and Learning with Technology

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Types of Software

• Academic Software – Software used specifically for teaching and learning

• Administrative software – Software used to perform professional tasks that may also be adapted for instructional use

• Software may be commercial “off the shelf”, custom created, freeware (freely distributed via the Net) or shareware (sharable but with a small fee for continued use)

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Software Acquisition

• In addition to the actual cost of the software, other costs may be associated with its acquisition• Costs to upgrade machines to run the software• Costs to install and maintain the software• Costs of time and labor to learn to use the

software and input data into it

• It is important to carefully review software before selecting it to minimize costs

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Productivity Software

• Software that assists in completing tasks• Usually includes

• Word processing• Spreadsheets• Data Base Management• Presentation Software

• Can be purchased individually or in a suite of bundled software (eg. Office XP)

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Productivity Software

• School districts often purchase site licenses that allow them to use the acquired software on all machines in the district

• Typically, productivity software is offered to teachers and staff via a school network

• Teachers often adapt and use productivity software for educational purposes

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Word Processing

• Most commonly used computer software• In addition to entering, editing, and printing,

word processors can• Spell and grammar check • Enhance the appearance of text• Add graphic and word art images • Arrange layout of text and graphic elements• Add elements from other software• Offer choices of layout styles

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Word Processing

• Includes desktop publishing capabilities to manipulate the layout of text and other graphic objects on a page

• Desktop publishing capabilities include• WHYSIWYG displays• Addition and manipulation of graphics • Table and column features• Auto-formatting

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Word Processing

• All word processors archive (save) and print hard copy

• Most include templates of ready-made document styles

• Some include Wizards, automated software within the word processor, that will build a customized document based on your inputted needs

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Electronic Spreadsheets

• Spreadsheets organize, calculate, and chart numeric data

• Spreadsheets are very accurate and data is easily formatted for readability

• Formulas for precise calculation can be inputted by the user or functions (built-in formulas) can be selected

• What-if analyses can be used to compare possible outcomes

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Electronic Spreadsheets

• Charts and graphs can be easily generated from data entered into the spreadsheet

• Spreadsheets also offer templates for commonly used forms

• Macros (previously saved sets of commands) can be used to facilitate complex worksheet processes

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Spreadsheets in the Classroom

• Teachers can use spreadsheets to• Create a customized gradebook• Maintain a school, department, or club

budget• Create chart and graph visuals • For academic activities such as stock

portfolios, analysis of experiment data, and graphing numeric data from content taught in class

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Data Base Management Systems

• DBMS organizes, maintains, and retrieves data

• DBMS software • Creates and uses a data hierarchy including

fields, records, files, and data bases• Conducts queries that find records that

match targeted criteria• Creates customizable reports of files or

queries

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

DBMS in the Classroom

• Educators can use DBMS software to• Maintain inventories• Create and maintain student information• Develop a mailing list of parents,

community members, or educational resources

• Create student activities such as creating and maintaining records for science class, developing community data for social studies, or making a class practice test data base

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Presentation Software

• Presentation software prepares sequenced electronic slides for display to a large group

• Slides may contain text, graphics, sound, animation, or video

• Between slide transitions and bullet special effects can be added for interest

• Presentation templates make professional looking presentations easy

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Presentation Software

• Presentations can be printed out as audience handouts to share or for note taking

• Individual slides can be printed with a color printer on transparency film to create professional looking transparency

• Presentations can be added to a Web site for on-line access

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Presentation Software in the Classroom

• Educators can use presentation software to create professional looking, organized class or school presentations

• Presentation software can also be adapted as an academic activity such as student reports via presentation, group projects with a class or schoolwide presentation as an outcome, or digital yearbook on CD

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Integrated Software

• Productivity software that contains an abbreviated form of the four common applications is called integrated software

• Each productivity tool is present but some features found in stand-alone packages are omitted

• Integrated software, though less powerful, offers all applications usually at a lower price

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

School/Class Management Software

• Software that assists educators in accomplishing classroom or school administrative tasks

• Classroom tasks assisted by software include

• Attendance and Gradebook• Seating Chart• Portfolio Assessment • IEP Generators

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

School/Class Management Software

• School or District level tasks assisted by software include

• Attendance• Grade books accessible by parents• State reporting

• Careful evaluation is important because of

• Acquisition, installation and support costs• Training costs to prepare staff to use it

Teaching and Learning with Technology Allyn and Bacon 2002

Software in Teaching and Learning

• Administrative software can make tasks easier and teachers more productive

• Teachers should be prepared to provide input on the administrative software best for them

• Although demanding in terms of time, it is important for teachers to be familiar with software options