Teaching and Learning with Technology Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Learning Outcomes Describe the types of software that might be used for teacher tasks. Identify how the components of a productivity suite can be used to help you be more effective and efficient in carrying out your professional responsibilities Categorize classroom management software and its role in accomplishing teacher tasks Locate and review available online tools and apps that can be used for teacher tasks Investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with using teacher task software

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Types of Software Productivity Suite Usually includes word processing, spreadsheet, data base management, and presentation software Available across districts for administrative and teacher use Classroom Management Software Includes attendance reporting, grade books, other custom options as determined by district Both types together often referred to as administrative software In combination with apps for mobile device, address most teacher tasks

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Productivity Software in the Classroom Software literacy includes the ability to use common productivity applications Word Processing Creates, edits, enhances documents Additional capabilities include spell/grammar checkers, thesaurus, graphics, formatting options Used by teachers for memos, tests, student documents, calendars, flyers Capable of WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) display to preview documents before printing Can convert to PDF (portable document formatting) for viewing by all regardless of software

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Productivity Software in the Classroom Electronic Spreadsheet Organizes, inputs, edits, and charts data, especially numeric data Additional capabilities include auto calculations, formulas, functions, multiple styles of graphs, templates Used by teachers for grade books, tracking experiments, budgets Capable of What If analysis to test how outcomes will change if individual values change

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Productivity Software in the Classroom Database Management Software Organizes, maintains, and retrieves target data Additional capabilities include sorting data, formal report formats, and queries to find specific records Used by teachers for keeping student records, classroom inventories, and organizing student project data Dedicated databases are the foundation of school library catalogs

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Productivity Software in the Classroom Presentation Software Organizes and presents information in a series of slides Additional capabilities include animation, hyperlinks, embedded multimedia, external links, and multiple options for sharing or printing Used by teachers for to support instruction, tutorials, student project presentation, presenting professional reports Offered with easy-to-apply themes and formats for professional looking results

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Classroom Management Software Assists educators in accomplishing the tasks associated with the day-to-day management of their classrooms or their schools. School Management Systems Customized to meet needs of district Used to organize district or school-wide data, schedule classes, maintain grades and attendance Classroom Management Systems Site licensed by district or available for individual classrooms Used by teachers for to help manage classroom tasks (e.g. behavior, seating, recording grades)

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Classroom Management Software Rubrics are useful in determining the best software Offer an objective evaluation across key characteristics Helps to select software best for targeted tasks Saves the time and effort of integrating software into the classroom, even if the software is initially free or inexpensive

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Online Tools for Teacher Tasks Online and mobile tools add potential to what is already available from installed district, school, and classroom software Online Tools On line productivity tools (e.g. Google Apps) are free collections of productivity software Can be used just like any purchased applications However, must have online access Other online tools enhance presentations Some add video and audio to information (e.g. Prezi) Others are designed for social media (e.g. Empressr)

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Online Tools for Teacher Tasks Other online tools help to Align with standards (e.g. Standards Toolbox) Create virtual classrooms via a learning management system (e.g. Moodle) Offer teaching tools to create rubrics, quizzes, web quests Provide a platform for authentic assessment via electronic portfolios

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Online Tools for Teacher Tasks Apps for the Classroom are teacher tools for mobile devices Apps for Administrative Tasks include Productivity apps (e.g. iWorks and GoDocs) Calendars, to-do lists, note takers, and calculators Implementing apps in schools has challenges Technical support for downloads to devices Loss of control to prevent inappropriate apps Difficult to keep up with ever emerging apps So many options, rubrics should be used to select the best apps

Chapter 7 Software for Teacher Tasks Opportunities and Challenges Opportunities include Inexpensive but powerful support for tasks Reinforces 21st century skills Improves task efficiency and accuracy Challenges include Using software selected by others which may not be optimal for your tasks Training for efficient use of the software Keeping up with changes from new versions Equipment updates required for new versions Older software conflicts after updates Funding for software, updates, training, and support