Administrative Administrative SoftwareSoftware

Administrative Administrative SoftwareSoftware

Chapter 7Chapter 7

Teaching and Learning Teaching and Learning with Technologywith Technology

Types of Educational Software

Administrative Software • Used by teachers to perform

administrative, professional, and management tasks

• Consists of productivity or classroom management software

Academic Software • Used by teachers and learners in

the teaching and learning process

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Types of Software

Software may be: • Commercial “off-the-shelf”

software• Custom created for a school or

district• Freeware – without purchase cost• Shareware – available to evaluate

for a limited time or features may be restricted unless purchased

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Types of Software

Possible costs (other than the actual software cost) include:

Upgrade of machines to run the software Installation and maintenance of the software Time and labor to learn the software and then use itReview software carefully before selecting

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Productivity Software

Software that assists in completing tasks usually includes: Word processing Spreadsheet Database management Presentation software

Can be purchased individually or in a suite

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Productivity Software

Districts typically:Buy site licenses to allow software

to be used on all machines in the district

Provide the software to teachers via a network

Teachers often adapt productivity software for other educational purposes

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Word Processing

Most commonly used softwareCreate, edit, and print documentsIncludes desktop publishing capabilities,

document layout, add and edit graphics, and creating web content and pages

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Word Processing

Document preparation and editing:• Insert, select, enhance, and/or

delete text • Word wrap and formatting• Spelling and grammar tools

(thesaurus, etc.)• Add graphics and word art images • Arrange layout of text and graphic

elements• Copy, cut, paste, drag, and undo

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Word Processing

• “WYSIWYG” (What You See Is What You Get) displays

• Addition and manipulation of graphics and clip art

• Data organization and display using table and column features

• Auto-formatting

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Desktop publishing capabilities include:

Word Processing

• Archive (save) and print hard copy

• Templates - most include templates of ready-made document styles

• Wizards - often included, automated feature to build a customized document

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Electronic Spreadsheets

SpreadsheetsOrganize, input, edit, calculate, and

chart numeric dataVery accurate, powerful, and versatileData and reports easily formatted for

readabilityFunctions (built-in formulas) are

includedFormulas for user desired calculations

can be easily input11

Electronic Spreadsheets

“What-if” analyses - can be used to compare possible outcomes

Charts - easily generated from data enteredTemplates provided for variety of common

needs and formatsMacros used to facilitate complex worksheet

processes

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Spreadsheets in the Classroom

Teachers use spreadsheets to:Create a customized grade bookMaintain a school, department, or club budgetCreate chart and graph visuals Maintain stock portfolios, analysis of

experiment data, and graph data

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Database Management Systems (DBMS)

DBMS software can:Create files to contain data, update, and edit

the information, and retrieve targeted dataCreate and use a data hierarchy: fields,

records, files, and databasesConduct queries and create customizable

reportsArchive files for future use or updating

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DBMS in the Classroom

Educators can use DBMS software toMaintain inventoriesCreate and maintain student informationDevelop mailing listsCreate student activities such as

Create and maintain records for a science class,

Develop community data for social studies, or make a class practice test database

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Presentation Software

Helps create, organize, and enhance delivery of content

Slides created to present information in an effective, logical order

Slides may contain text, graphics, sound, animation, hyperlinks, and/or video

Presentations can be printed out as audience handouts or transparencies

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Presentation Software

Templates make professional-looking presentations easy to create

Other features and elements can be added for interest and to support information transfer

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Presentation Software

Helpful common features include:Multimedia elements for addition to slidesLibraries of clip art, sounds, and other

multimedia materialsHypermedia capabilityCustomization capability (e.g., a self-

playing show for a kiosk)

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Presentation Software in the Classroom

Presentation software can: Support direct instructionCreate student presentationsCreate school presentations Create academic activities such as book

reports or projects

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Integrated Productivity Packages

Contain blended form of common types of application software

Each productivity tool is present Some features found in stand-alone

packages are not as robust or are omitted

Integrated software usually offered at lower price than individual software

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School/Class Management Software

Helps educators accomplish classroom and school administrative tasks:

– Attendance and grade books

– Seating charts

– Portfolio assessments

– IEP generators

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Evaluating Management Software

Careful evaluation of all aspects, from ease of use to effectiveness, is important

Costs can range from low (freeware or shareware) to high, and are an important part of the total cost:Adequacy of current hardware systemsAcquisition, installation, and supportTraining to prepare staff to use it

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Software in Teaching and Learning

Administrative software can make– Tasks easier – Teachers more productive

Need to provide input on best software Although time consuming, important for

teachers to be knowledgeable about software options and capabilities

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