Chapter 3 Software Applications for Education

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Chapter 3Software Applications for Education
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CHAPTER 3 PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

• Define and describe a user interface and a
  graphical user interface
• Identify the important features of widely used
  software applications
• Describe the advantages of software suites
• Explain how to create Web documents

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CHAPTER 3 PRIMARY OBJECTIVES (cont.)

• Discuss why the use of special needs software is
  important for K-12 schools
• List and describe learning aids and support tools
  that help you use and learn software applications
• Explain how to work with different versions of
  software applications

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APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• Five major categories of application software
• Productivity/business
• Graphics/multimedia
• School/professional
• Home/personal
• Communications

Click to see Figure 3-1
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APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• The Role of the Operating System
• System software - programs that control the
  operations of the computer and its devices
• Operating system
• Type of system software that tells the computer
  how to perform functions
• Started when you start the computer
• Allows you to communicate with the computer and
  other software
• Remains in memory until the computer is turned off

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APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• The Role of the User Interface
• Controls how you enter data and how information
  is presented to you
• Graphical User Interface (GUI)
• Combines text, graphics, and other visual cues to
  make software easier to use
• Macintosh operating system
• Microsoft Windows

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APPLICATION SOFTWARE

• Starting a Software Application
• Desktop
• Icons
• Buttons
• Menu
• Commands
• Submenus
• Window - Rectangular area of the screen that is
  used to display a program, data, and information
• Title bar - Horizontal space that contains the
  windows name

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PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE

• Spreadsheet Software
• Allows you to organize data in rows and columns,
  collectively called a worksheet
• Database Software
• Database - A collection of data organized in a
  manner that allows access, retrieval, and use of
  that data
• Similar to a manual filing system

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PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE

• Presentation Graphics Software
• Allows you to create documents called
  presentations which are used to communicate
  ideas, messages, and other information to a group
• Personal Information Managers
• Software application that includes an appointment
  calendar, address book, and notepad to help
  organize appointments and task lists

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PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE

• Software Suite and Integrated Software
• Collection of individual application software
  packages sold as a single package
• Lower cost
• Ease of use
• Examples Microsoft Office or Works for PC and
  AppleWorks (formerly ClarisWorks) for Mac.

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GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE

• Desktop Publishing Software
• Allows you to produce sophisticated documents
  that contain text, graphics, and brilliant colors
• Page layout - arranging text and graphics in a
  document
• Paint/Image Editing Software
• Paint software
• Draw pictures, shapes, and other graphics
• Image editing software
• Modify existing graphics

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GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE

• Clip Art/Image Gallery
• Video editing - modifying segments of video
  called clips
• Multimedia Authoring Software
• Used to create electronic interactive
  presentations that include text, video, audio,
  and animation

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GRAPHICS AND MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE

• Web Page Authoring Software
• Allows you to create Web pages and organize,
  manage, and maintain Web sites
• Many packages allow creation of Web pages
• Word processing programs allow creation of web
  pages

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SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL USE

• School and Student Management Software
• School management software
• Centralized program that allows district and
  school personnel to manage school district
  operations
• Student management software
• Allows administrators, teachers, and other staff
  to track information on students

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SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL USE

• Grade Book Software
• Allows teachers to track and organize student
  tests, homework, lab work, and other scores
• Examples Grade Book Power, Grade Machine,
  Making the Grade. Can also use wizards in
  Microsoft Works and Apple Works

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SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL USE

• Educational/Reference
• Educational software
• Software designed for the learning environment
• Reference software
• Provides valuable and thorough information for
  everyone in an educational setting and in the
  family

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SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL USE

• Special Needs Software
• Software designed for students with physical
  impairments or learning disabilities
• Examples
• Speech synthesis software
• Software with text enlargement features
• Talking software

Click to view video
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SOFTWARE FOR HOME AND PERSONAL USE

• Personal Finance Software
• Simplified accounting program
• Track personal income and expenses
• Track investments
• Online banking and investing
• Tax Preparation Software
• Guides individuals, families, or small businesses
  through the process of filing federal and state
  taxes
• Offer money saving tax tips
• Prints tax forms

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SOFTWARE FOR HOME AND PERSONAL USE

• Legal Software
• Assists in preparation of legal documents and
  provides legal advice
• Personal Computer Entertainment Software
• Interactive games and videos
• Hobbies

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LEARNING AIDS AND SUPPORT TOOLS

• Online help
• FAQs
• Tutorials
• Wizards
• Printed manuals and books

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SOFTWARE VERSIONS AND UPGRADES

• Using Different Software Versions
• A school may have a mix of different software
  versions installed on its computers
• Determine software version with the softwares
  About command
• Older version of software usually will not open
  files created with the newer version

Click to see Figure 3-44
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SOFTWARE VERSIONS AND UPGRADES

• Using Different Software Versions
• Saving a PC file in Macintosh format
• Save a document in a format compatible with
  earlier versions

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SOFTWARE VERSIONS AND UPGRADES

• Working with Macintosh Computers and PCs
• Sometimes must move files between the two
  platforms
• Some PC programs allow you to save files in a
  Macintosh format

Click to see Figure 3-46
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SOFTWARE VERSIONS AND UPGRADES

• Working with Macintosh Computers and PCs
• Macintosh can access a document saved on a PC
  formatted disk, PCs normally cannot open files
  saved on a Macintosh formatted disk
• Save files created on a PC in Macintosh format
• Use a PC/Mac converted such as MacLink Plus
  Deluxe or Mac Opener

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SUMMARY OF SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION

• User interfaces
• Software applications used in home, school, and
  business
• Learning aids and support tools

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More Information

• http//www.scsite.com/tdc/ch3/webinfo.htm
• Links of interest from this site
• -Click on Windows or Mac OS
• -Click on Presentation
• -Click on Clip Art

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Application Software
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SOFTWARE FOR SCHOOL AND PROFESSIONAL USE
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