"Basic Three" Software Tools

Word Processing Software

·         Word Processing is a software tool that saves time and enhances document appearance. According to Roblyer and Doering, Word Processing offers “high versatility and flexibility, it also is model-free instructional software.” (pg. 116). This software is used to create documents consisting of pages with text and graphics. As a teacher, I should consider using this software program because I have the ability to create beginning of the year newsletters, allow my students to produce assignments and illustrate stories, and also to better collaborate with other teachers. The issues with using this tool in education are: the debate over what age children should begin using Word Processing, the necessity to teach proper keyboarding skills, and the effects Word Processing has on the handwriting of the students.

 

Spreadsheet Software

·         Spreadsheet Software is a software tool that is designed to organize numerical data and is in widespread use in classrooms at all levels of education. Roblyer and Doering state, “A spreadsheet helps users manage numbers in the same way that word processing helps them manage words.” (pg. 122) As a teacher, I should consider using Spreadsheet Software because it can help students support mathematical problem solving and project their potential grades. The main issue with using this tool in education is that teachers have to first address some students’ “fear of math.” Teachers often have to allow extra time for their students to become comfortable with Spreadsheet Software before being able to implement it into the lesson.

 

Presentation Software

·         Presentation Software is a software tool that is designed to display different kinds of information. Roblyer and Doering express that Presentation Software “…was originally designed to accompany and support marketing presentation and business training and reports.” (pg. 128) As a teacher, I should use Presentation Software because it can help to organize thinking about a topic and allow for collaboration on presentations. A useful aspect of this software tool is how it allows for students to present their project work to the class. The issues with using Presentation Software in education include how this tool makes people focus on the slides rather than the message. Also, the issue of how Presentation Software impacts the style of teaching.

 

Classroom Use

·         Word Processing Software can be used in the classroom in a variety of different ways. One possible topic that a teacher may cover and could use this software tool is when he/she is teaching a Language Arts lesson on adjectives. The teacher could have the students create a flyer describing themselves with appropriate adjectives. This activity could be printed and displayed on the bulletin board and also used as a beginning of the year “ice breaker” activity. The activity can allow for the students to become better acquainted with one another. Along with adjectives the students can include: their favorite interests, if they have siblings, pets, and something they are looking forward to during the school year. J