Administrative Software Chapter 7 Teaching and Learning with 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 3

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 4

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 it Review software carefully before selecting 5

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 6

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 7

Word Processing Most commonly used software Create, edit, and print documents Includes desktop publishing capabilities, document layout, add and edit graphics, and creating web content and pages 8

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 9

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 10 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 11

Electronic Spreadsheets Spreadsheets Organize, input, edit, calculate, and chart numeric data Very accurate, powerful, and versatile Data and reports easily formatted for readability Functions (built-in formulas) are included Formulas for user desired calculations can be easily input 12

Electronic Spreadsheets “What-if” analyses - can be used to compare possible outcomes Charts - easily generated from data entered Templates provided for variety of common needs and formats Macros used to facilitate complex worksheet processes 13

Spreadsheets in the Classroom Teachers use spreadsheets to: Create a customized grade book Maintain a school, department, or club budget Create chart and graph visuals Maintain stock portfolios, analysis of experiment data, and graph data 14

Database Management Systems (DBMS) DBMS software can: Create files to contain data, update, and edit the information, and retrieve targeted data Create and use a data hierarchy: fields, records, files, and databases Conduct queries and create customizable reports Archive files for future use or updating 15

DBMS in the Classroom Educators can use DBMS software to Maintain inventories Create and maintain student information Develop mailing lists Create 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 16

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 17

Presentation Software Templates make professional- looking presentations easy to create Other features and elements can be added for interest and to support information transfer 18

Presentation Software Helpful common features include: Multimedia elements for addition to slides Libraries of clip art, sounds, and other multimedia materials Hypermedia capability Customization capability (e.g., a self- playing show for a kiosk) 19

Presentation Software in the Classroom Presentation software can: Support direct instruction Create student presentations Create school presentations Create academic activities such as book reports or projects 20

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 21

School/Class Management Software Helps educators accomplish classroom and school administrative tasks: – Attendance and grade books – Seating charts – Portfolio assessments – IEP generators 22

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 systems Acquisition, installation, and support Training to prepare staff to use it 23

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 24