Chapter 4 - Teaching with the Basic Three Software Tools

The three basic software tools are: word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs.

Why use?

• Improved productivity
• Improved appearance
• Improved accuracy
• More support for interaction (allow input from several people at one time)

In schools, word processing is the most frequently used of the three for productivity purposes. Spreadsheet and database software tend to be used primarily to enhance teacher productivity, rather than student productivity.

Recent Development in Software Tools

• PDA tools (handheld computers)
• Web-enabled features - students may include links in a project report to some resources they consulted during their research.
• Better file exchange compatibility (computer platforms - easy transfer for teachers)
• Software suites and integrated packages (Microsoft Office)

Using Word Processing Software in Teaching and Learning

Teachers use it because it is versatile, flexible, and "model free" meaning it reflects no instructional approach. Advantages to teachers and students:

• Saves time (modifying materials, making corrections)
• Enhances document appearance
• Allows sharing of documents

Issues:

• When should students start word processing? Will it affect handwriting abilities and other activities requiring fine motor skills?
• Is it necessary to teach keyboarding skills?
• What impact does it have on assessment?

Productivity strategies in the classroom:

• Saves preparation time (saving letters that go to parents)

Instructional integration strategies:

• Supporting the learning of writing processes
• Using dynamic group product approach
• Assigning individual language, writing, and reading exercises
• Encouraging writing through the curriculum (font and graphics features allow students to represent concepts in math, science, etc.)

See page 128 Figure 4.7 for Tips on Teaching Word Processing

Using Spreadsheet Software in Teaching and Learning

Spreadsheets are programs designed to organize and manipulate numerical data. (worksheets, cells, formulas)

The impact of spreadsheets in Education

Why teachers use? Help keep budgets, gradebooks, and to help teach math concepts. Also:

• Saves time
• Organizes displays of information
• Supports asking "what if" questions (values are automatically recalculated when changes are made and user can play with numbers and immediately see the result)
• Increases motivation to work with mathematics

Issues using Spreadsheets - use to keep grades or use grade keeping packages? Teachers seem to be evenly divided on which is better. Comes down to personal preference.

Productivity strategies - teachers can use spreadsheets to help prepare classroom materials and complete calculations.

Instructional integration - used in many ways to enhance learning Also:

• Making possible visual teaching demonstrations
• Supporting student products (create timelines, charts and graphs)
• Supporting mathematical problem solving
• Sorting and analyzing data
• Projecting grades

Teaching Spreadsheet Skills - See page 137, Figure 4.12

Using Database Software in Teaching and Learning

Databases are computer programs that allow users to store, organize and manipulate information, including both text and numerical data. (Can use to locate info through keyword searches)

The impact of Databases in Education - benefits:

• Reducing data redundancy (cuts down on both the expense and physical space needed to store information)
• Saving time locating and/or updating information
• Allowing comparisons of information through searches across files
• Helping reveal relationships among data

Issues - it's important to know how to find information but also to know what one can or should do with that information. Concerns about the use of databases in education:

• Simplified access vs privacy
• Coping with information overload

Databases in the Classroom -

Productivity strategies - teachers use prepared databases much more widely than ever before, but they usually don't create them. Current uses include:

• Inventorying and locating instructional resources
• Data mining for planning and reporting
• Using information on students to respond to questions or perform required tasks
• Sending personalized letters to parents and others

Instructional integration strategies - ways teachers use databases to enhance learning:

• Teaching research and study skills - locating and organizing information to answer questions and learn new concepts
• Teaching organizational skills (handing information)
• Understanding the power of information "pictures" - Sometimes a database can generate an information picture or relationships among bits of information that may not be visible in any other way.
• Posing and testing hypotheses
• Searching for information during research

Teaching database skills - See page 145, Figure 4.16

Summary of Software Tool Integration Strategies

The primary benefits of software tools are to reduce the labor involved in preparing student products and remove logistical barriers to learning.