Julie Lewis
EDUC 318
Dr. Sessoms
March 23, 2010
Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching
Chapter 5: Teaching with Software Tools: Beyond the Basic Programs
Software support tools provide teachers and students with improved efficiency and productivity, improved appearance of the product, better accuracy and timeliness of information, and more support for interaction and sharing. The general categories of software support tools are: materials generators, data collection and analysis tools, graphics tools, planning and organizing tools, research and reference tools, and content-area tools.
Materials generators include desktop publishing software, test generators and rubric generators, worksheet and puzzle generators, IEP generators, graphic document makers, and PDF and forms makers. Desktop publishing is a combination of software, microcomputers and printers to allow users to be their own publishers. Common classroom uses of desktop publishing include practice in grammar, spelling and communication, reporting research findings, and opportunities for creative works. Test generators are software that teachers use to prepare and/or administer tests. This software allows teachers to create and revise tests, random generation of questions, select questions based on criteria, answer keys, and test item banks. Worksheet and puzzle generators allow teachers to create activities for student practice of lower level skills, such as math facts, and exercises to review words and definitions. IEP generators assists teachers in preparing IEP’s for students with special needs by providing on-screen prompts that remind teachers of the required components of the IEP plan.

Data collection and analysis tools include electronic grade books, statistical packages, student information systems, online and computer-based testing systems, and student response systems.
Electronic grade books allow teachers to enter student grade information, analyze the data and print reports based off that information. Statistical software packages also assist teachers with analysis of student performance on tests, as well as qualitative data collection and analysis. Student information systems (SIS) allow schools to track and report on attendance, maintain records on student demographic data, and develop class scheduling. Computer-based testing systems allow students to take tests onscreen or to put test answers on “bubble sheets”, which provide reports on performance data afterward. Student response systems allow teachers to get immediate feedback on student comprehension and knowledge in the classroom.
Graphics tools include draw/paint programs, image editing tools, charting/graphing tools, and clip art, photo, animation, sound, video, and font collections. Image editing tools allow students and teachers to modify photographic images and import them into desktop publishing systems or web page products. Charting/graphing tools draw and print desired charts or graphs based upon the data entered by the users. These are useful for graphing activities in science, social studies, and geography.
Planning and organizing tools include outlining and concept mapping software, lesson planning software, and scheduling/time management tools. Outlining tools prompt writers as they develop outlines. Concept mapping software help users think through and explore ideas or topics by development concept maps. Scheduling and time management tools assist teachers in organizing their time and planning activities on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Research and reference tools include electronic versions of encyclopedias, atlases and mapping tools, and dictionaries and thesauruses.
Likewise, there are also useful tools to support specific content areas as well. Examples of content-area tools are CAD systems, music editors, sequencers, and MIDI tools, reading tools,

microcomputer-based labs, graphing calculators and calculator-based labs, and Geographic Information
Systems and Global Positioning systems. CAD systems allow teachers to teach architecture and engineering skills, offering precise drawings of houses and cars. Music editor software is desired to allow users to develop musical compositions on-screen in conjunction with MIDI devices. Music sequencers support the creation of music scores with several parts. Microcomputer-based labs are useful in math and science classrooms, measuring light, temperature, voltage and/or speed. Graphing calculators and calculator-based labs are indispensable tools in science and mathematics, particularly higher level courses.