When some one has asked me “Are you computer literate”, I’ve have always said yes…until now! I have learned about user interfaces and several software applications used in schools, businesses, and homes. Some I knew very well. Others I knew very little about and others were completely new to me. The assignment for this week was to make changes to an Excel Grade sheet. Hmmm, seemed like an easy task. I have used excel before. As it turned out it was not so easy for me. I resorted over to Google Docs.Spreadsheet to get the formulas to work. Then, I had issues getting it to open after I saved it. Needless to say, an enormous amount of hours was spent on that thing. After the assignment was completed, I focused in on the ones I needed more information on that could benefit me as an instructor and for my students.
Educational software supports learning objectives and goals. Educational software exists for just about any subject, from learning a foreign language to learning how to cook. Preschool to high school learners can use educational software to assist them with subjects such as reading and math or to prepare them for class or college entrance exams (Shelly).
Special needs software, also called assistive technologies software, is designed specifically for students with physical impairments or learning disabilities to assist them in completing school assignments and everyday tasks. From spelling words to advanced literary concepts, ILTsource.com carries a full line of special needs software for students of all ages and comprehension levels as well as tools that allow teachers to evaluate a student's spelling / grammar progress. These wonderful language enrichment packages boost vocabulary and reading skills through exercises and games geared toward literacy development and story building (ILTsource).
On the personal side of this assignment, I looked into the Tax preparation software. It can assist you in preparing your federal and state tax returns efficiently and accurately. You even can file your return electronically using the Internet (Shelly). H&R Block - Offers online and in-person tax preparation and tax software, mortgages, brokerage and financial services, consumer tips and tax planning information.
I have learned quite a bit about Application Productivity Tools for Educators and also realized I still have so much more to learn.
Teachers Discovering Computers (Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom) by Gary B. Shelly, Cengage Learning
ILT Source.com
How true it is!! We think we are computer literate then something new is brought forth and we learn there is so much more then what meets our eyes. Like the video, "The Networked Student" technolgy is always changing and what we knew yesterday is obsolete today because something new has been added.
ReplyDeleteI too was amazed at the amount of support software that is available on the web. A few years ago I took a Microsoft Applications class that covered all the Microsoft Office Apps. I have to tell you that I got so much more from the support software for the assignment than I did from the book that I used in this class. I think with the availabiltiy of support for these programs, eventually the classes will be completely web-based. Having thought this assignment was going to be simple, I have to say that it is so important, especially for educators, to stay on top of all the technological changes because nothing is constant when it comes to technology. Every few years Microsoft always has their updated version of one of its software pieces.
As someone who has not dug deeply into Excel much in the past few years, I too was off to a slow start. I decided to do what I could on my own, and after I felt like I was beginning to spend an "enormous amount of hours" on it, I decided to seek the advice of an expert (the expert in this case was my brother who works in finance and spends a lot of time with spreadsheets). I looked at it as a student in my class might. Do what you can on your own, spend a limited amount of time exploring, and then seek assistance from a qualified teacher.
ReplyDeleteMuch like you, after i completed the assignment I began to think about all the other unused features in all the software most of us have at our disposal, much of it free or of very little cost. I also feel like I still have so much to learn. Even though I am one of the more technologically fluent teachers at my small private school, this activity helped me realize that the possibilities are endless, and I should never hold back when I get the urge to explore.