Chapter 5
“Teaching with Software Tools: Beyond the Basic Programs”
1. Materials generators
a. Desktop publishing software
§ Defining quality of desktop publishing is the total control the user has over their final, printed product
§ ‘Desktop publishing’ refers to the combination of software, microcomputers, and printers allowing the user to be their own publisher
§ Desktop publishing vs. desktop publishing software
o You can perform desktop publishing with word processing software; desktop publishing software allows the user more control over the design and production of the document (layering of text and graphics, etc.)
o Word processing software ‘flows’ pages in a continuous stream through the document—the user scrolls through any number of pages within a single document
o Desktop publishing software creates single pages that are linked together—the user click on an individual icon that displays a single page
§ Multiple studies have documented various benefits arising from the use of desktop publishing
o Children’s self-esteem increased
o Interest in writing is increased
o The motivation to write for others is increased
o Learning through small group collaboration is increased
§ Common classroom applications for the implementation of desktop publishing:
o Creating a flyer, brochure, etc. allows students to practice grammar, spelling, and written communication
o Various methods of reporting research projects
o Opportunity for students to be creative and express themselves
b. Test generators and rubric generators
§ Test generators
o Teachers enter create and enter the test questions, then the program prepares the exam
o Benefits:
· The program produces exams in a standardized layout, eliminating the need for the teacher to format the page
· Software allows the teacher to create questions in a variety of formats: multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false, matching, short answer, and essay
· Test items can be selected from the “question pool” to create any number of versions of the test
· The software can take a set of criteria, as specified by the teacher, and select the appropriate question from the question pool
· Answer keys are automatically generated at the time of the test creation
· Some software versions allow for on-screen test taking
§ Rubric generators
c. Worksheet and puzzle generators
§ Worksheet generators function in much the same way as test generators
§ Puzzle generators will automatically format and create cross-word puzzles, word search puzzles, etc. from information entered by the teacher
d. Individualized education program (IEP) generators
§ IEP’s are federally required for all students with special needs; they serve as an outline for the specific student’s educational activities based on the specifics of that students needs
§ Further, documentation is required showing that the IEP is on file, and that classroom activities are governed by the IEP
§ Software develops specific plans based on the criteria entered by the teacher; specific on-screen prompts remind the teacher of required parts of the IEP
§ Software compiles the entered information into standardized format
e. Graphic document makers
§ Simplify the creation of items such as awards certificates, greeting cards, etc.
§ Usually come with clip art banks and pre-designed templates
f. PDF and forms makers
§ PDF = Printable Document Format
o Allows documents to be created and sent as images
o Lets the user view the document, with all of the formatting in place, without having to have access to the original desktop publishing software
§ PDF Maker Pilot is an example of a form-generating software that works with the Acrobat PDF software
2. Data collection and analysis tools
a. Electronic grade-books
§ Allows multiple variables to be entered, including allowing for ‘weighting’ of one assignment over another
§ Multiple reports can be drawn from the information entered
b. Statistical packages—handles the mathematical functions behind many statistical analyses
c. Student information systems—networked software system that lets teachers keep track of student, class, and school data points
d. Computer-based testing systems
§ Allows for immediate results
§ CAT = Computer Adaptive Testing
o Software analyzes each student’s ability level with fewer questions
o Subject of controversy—being stated that the software actively discriminated against some students
e. Student response systems
§ Combination of hand-held hardware and software that allows each student to answer simultaneously, also allowing the teacher to see the break-down of responses immediately
3. Graphics tools
a. Draw/paint programs
§ Allows the user to create their own graphics to be inserted into documents, web pages, etc.
§ Lets students be more creative
b. Image editing tools—used for the modification of photographs
c. Charting/graphing tools
§ Users enter their data and the software creates the charts/graphs
§ Allows the user to quickly and easily create visual representations of their data, so they can concentrate of the interpretation of the data rather than the creation of the chart
d. Clip art, photo, animations, sound, video, and font collections
4. Planning and organizing tools
a. Outlining tools and concept mapping software
§ Outline tools—designed to prompt writers as they develop an outline
§ Concept mapping tools—allows users to see their outline as a visual map of the topic
b. Lesson planning software—similar to the test generators in that they take input data regarding the teacher’s specific lesson plan and compile it into a standardized format
c. Scheduling and time management tools
5. Research and reference tools
a. Electronic encyclopedias—taken bound-format encyclopedias and created a searchable database, which include multi-media tools
b. Electronic atlases and mapping tools
c. Electronic dictionaries—many offer audio clips of the correct pronunciation of the word in question
6. Content-area tools
a. CAD and 3-D modeling
§ CAD=Computer-Assisted Design
§ Allows for specific and sophisticated renderings
b. Music editors, sequencers and MIDI tools
§ MIDI=Musical Instrument Digital Interface
§ Allows users to automatically create a written score
c. Reading tools
§ Readability analysis software automates various measures of reading difficulty
§ Cloze software
d. Microcomputer-based labs—combination of software and hardware packages designed to collect various data points
e. Graphing calculators and calculator-based labs
f. Graphic information systems and global positioning systems
§ GIS=Geographical Information System
§ GPS=Global Positioning System
No comments:
Post a Comment