Software as an educational resource

Software as an Educational Resource

Prepared by:John Santos M. NacionalIII- Bachelor of Agriculture Technology major in Agriculture Technology Education

Whenever people think about computers, they are most likely thinking about the computer machine such as the television like monitor screen, the keyboard to type on, the printer which produces copies of text-and-graphics material, and the computer circuits (the central processing unit) that receives stores data and directs computer operations.

The computer machine or hardware is naturally an attention-getter . It’s more difficult to realize, however, that the computer hardware can hardly be useful without the program or system that tells what the computer machine should do. This is also called the software.

There are two kinds of software: The systems software. This is the

operating system that is found or bundled inside all computer machines .

The applications software . This contains the system that commands the particular task or solves a particular problem .

In turn the applications software may be:

(a) a custom software that is made for specific tasks often by large corporations, or

(b) a commercial software packaged for personal computers that helps with a variety of task such as writing papers calculating numbers, drawing graphs, playing games, and so much more.

Microsoft Windows Also referred to as a program,

Microsoft windows for short is an operating environment between the user and the computer operating system. Also called a shell, it is a layer that creates the way the computer should work .

Windows uses a colorful graphics interface

(called GUI-pronounced “gooce”)that can be seen on the computer screen or monitor whenever the computer is turned on .

The user can work with on-screen

pictures (icons) and suggestions (menus) to arrive at the desired software .Windows 95 (now improved with Windows 2003, 2007)is a software designed for Microsoft Windows.

Actually, Windows is in itself a self-contained operating system which provides :

User convenience-just click a file name to retrieve data or click from program to program as easy as changing channels in your TV screen.

A new look-fancy borders, smooth and streamlined text fonts.

Information center-Windows puts all communications activities (e-mail, downloads etc. in a single screen icon);adapts/configures the computer for the Internet.

Plug and play-configures the computer with added components, such as for sound and video.

Instructional software Instructional

software can be visited on the Internet or should be bought from software shops or dealers. The teacher through his school should decide on the best computer-based instructional (CBIs) materials for the school resource collection .

But beware since CBIs need much improvement, while web-based educational resources are either extremely good or what is complete garbage is evaluating computer-based educational materials, the following can serve as guidelines:

Be extremely cautious in using CBIs and ‘free’ Internet materials.

Don’t be caught up by attractive graphics,sound,animation,pictures,video clips and music forgetting their instructional worth.

Teachers must evaluate these resources using sound pedagogical principles.

Among design and content elements to evaluate are text legibility, effective use of color schemes attractive layout and design, and easy navigation from section-to-section (such as from game to tutorial to drill-and-practice section).

Observe clarity in the explanations and illustrations of concepts and principles.

Maintain accuracy,coherence, logic of information.

Are they being current since data/statistics continually change.

Are they relevant and effective in attaining learning objectives?

Observe absence of biased materials (e.g. gender bias or racial bias).

Prepared by: John Santos M. NacionalProf. Rubi R.Orbeta