Chapter 3 NotesWord Processors, Databases, Spreadsheets,

and Data Probes

By: Kristyn Bright

“A computer can function as many different tools that benefits students.”

Educational experiences with computer tools result in students learning to use the tools, performing certain academic tasks more effectively and efficiently by using the tools, and learning domain skills such as writing and problem solving or acquiring content-area knowledge through the application of computer tools to content-appropriate tasks.

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“Writing is one of the fundamental skills taught in schools. Features of word processing programs may help students write more effectively and develop writing skills more quickly.”

Word processing has many features and functions including the integration of graphics, audio, and video.

Students can input text, store and

retrieve documents, format their documents or information, edit, outline documents, automatically check their spelling, use an electronic thesaurus, and add graphics such as pictures, diagrams, or charts.

These options are all available when writing with paper and pencil but not all at once. Using word processing is much more efficient than having to go out and gather the resources and spend the time writing and re-writing drafts.

Also, writers need to be engaged in tasks in which they have authentic opportunities to communicate what they know, want, or feel. Appearance can influence perceptions of authentic authoring and perceptions of importance. The value of using word processing to a young writer should not be underestimated. Using word processing opens us a whole new world to students.

“Teachers and students recognize that manipulating numbers is part of mathematics. However, storing and interpreting numerical data and asking questions related to those data are also essential to political science, sociology, economics, geology, chemistry, physics, and biology.”

◦ Spreadsheets can serve many functions in both the school and work setting. I think it is important for students to start learning how to use them in school so that they can take the skill with them when they go into the work world.

◦ Spreadsheets are filled with cells in which the user can enter data into or attach a formula to. The functions that can be pasted into a cell allow students to perform a wide variety of calculations and manipulations.

◦ Spreadsheet programs also allow numerical data to be represented in a variety of chart and graph formats. This allows students to visualize data and maybe interpret it better. Students can make very simple or very complex spreadsheets depending on their grade level and abilities.

◦ I think it is a great tool for the classroom.

Sample of StudentSpreadsheet

“Database programs are used to organize, store, and search for information. Students use database functions to analyze data.”

Having students create databases is a great way to learn in the classroom.

Database projects used within education are a great critical thinking tool. It forces students to do research, organize data, publish data, and think of different ways that other people would look at and think about the data.

It has students categorize and group information which is an important concept. All databases are organized into three hierarchical levels: fields, records, and files.

Sample of Student Database

“Material written to be communicated to peers through telecommunications has been found to be better organized, mechanically more correct, and more informative than papers on identical topics written to be graded by the teacher.”

The World Wide Web provides a number of opportunities for student publication. Some popular forms of web publishing is through school/class websites, wiki pages, and blogs.

Students can publish information, documents, assignments, pictures, graphics, or just make comments or have discussions back and forth.

There is so much available to teachers and students through technology, we must educate people on how to take advantage of it.

Having students publish their own work creates a strong sense of accomplishment, allows they to see what they did and be proud, and allows peers and parents to see student work.

Having a peer audience seems to be more motivating than the red marks, gold marks, or grade the teacher might attach to the paper.

Sample of Student Publication on Web 2.0 Site

http://551bright.blogspot.com/