Chapter 3 Software for Educators

Operating Systems  Operating Systems contains instructions that coordinate all the activities of the hardware devices, and instructions that allow you to run application softwares on a computer.  Windows 7  MAC OS X

Embedded Operating System  Resides on an internal chip, rather than a hard drive. Like Cell phones have.  iOS  Google Android  Blackberry OS

User Interface  Controls how you enter data or instructions (input) and how information is presented on the screen (output).

Graphical User Interface  Combines text, graphics, and other visual cues to make software easier to use.

Software Applications  Word- use to make documents.  Excel- create spreadsheets.  PowerPoint- useful for making presentations.

Software Suites  Collection of individual application software packages sold as a single package.  Microsoft Office  Apple iWorks

Advantages of Software Suites  Lower cost.  Buying the collection is cheaper than buying each application separately.  Easier to use.  Once you learn one program the rest usually have common features.

Documents  A document is a piece of work created with an application and saved on a storage medium with a unique file name.  When using documents we often…  Create  Edit  Format  Save  Print

 Creating  Developing the document by entering texts, numbers, and graphics - ex. PowerPoint presentation  Editing  Making changes to the document’s existing content - ex. Inserting, deleting, cutting, copying, and pasting items in a document.

 Formatting  Changing the appearance of a document - ex. Changing font size or style  Saving  Copying a document from memory to a storage medium - ex. USB or hard disk - Should save the document frequently!!

 Printing  Sending a file to a printer to generate output on a medium, such as paper - Done using command buttons in a dialog box

Video  Video consists of full-motion images played back at various speeds.  Video editing software allows teachers and students to make their own videos. - ex. Movie Maker

Software for School Use  Many schools rely heavily on the use of technology.  The installation of networks is what makes the use of technology so important.  Networks allow the computers to be utilized in a variety of ways depending on who is using them.  Usually schools that install a network have one computer in each class installed with school and student management software.

School and Student Management Software  School management software: a centralized program that allows district and school personnel to manage the many necessary aspects of a school. (ex.: budgeting, inventory, etc.)  Student management software: a centralized program that allows administrators, teachers, and other staff to manage information about their students. (ex.: attendance and academic records)

Gradebook Software  Allows teachers to track and organize student tests, homework, lab work, and other scores.  Popular gradebook programs: - Engrade - WebGrader - MicroGrade - Easy Grade Pro - GradeQuick - Gradebook Plus.  Can create basic gradebooks with Microsoft Excel or Apple iWork.

K-12 Educational Software Applications  Refers to computer software products used to support teaching and learning of subject-related content.  Allows students to examine their skills in a risk-free environment  Provides the students with instant feedback, testing and review.

K-12 Educational Software Applications  Educational games: include a set of rules and allow the student to compete against each other or the game itself.  Tutorial: teaches you how to use a product or concepts.  Educational simulations: a computerized model of real life that represent physical or simulated process. - Popular simulations: SimCity, Sim Theme Park, and Sim Coaster.

K-12 Educational Software Applications  ESL/foreign Language: Provide K-12 students with assistance in learning English and other languages. - Popular programs: Rosetta Stone, JumpStart Spanish, English for Kids, etc.  Language Arts: support student learning throughout the reading and writing process. - Popular programs: StoryWeaver, Clicker 5, Read 180, etc.  Math: help students master basic and complex mathematics. Available for all grade levels. - Destination Math, Math Blaster, FASTT Math, etc.  Special Needs Software: for students with physical impairments or learning disabilities. - Such as: speech synthesis software, text enlargements, talking calculators.