Software Applications
For 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:
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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 &
HyperStudio)
– Imaging Software (iPhoto)
– Graphical Organizers (Inspiration)
– Video Editing Software
Other Types of Software Support Tools
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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
teacher
www.edhelper.com
www.teachernet.com
More Tools For The Classroom
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Test Generators
Worksheet Generators
Puzzle Generators
Bar Code Generators
Certificate Makers
Form Makers
Gradebooks
Word Processing
• Advantages
– Time Savings
– Better Appearance
– Sharing
• Issues
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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 overheads
or 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.