Teaching with Software Tools:

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Teaching with Software Tools

• Beyond the Basic Programs

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Materials Generators
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Materials Generators

• Help teachers and students produce instructional
  materials.

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Materials Generators

• Desktop publishing software.
• Test generators and test item banks.
• Worksheet and puzzle generators.
• IEP generators.
• Graphic document makers.
• PDF and forms makers.

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Desktop Publishing

• Definition Using a combination of software,
  microcomputers, and printers to allow individuals
  to be their own publishers. Paul Brainerd 1984.

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Desktop Publishing Sample Products

• Adobe In Design, PageMaker.
• Microsoft Publisher
• Quark Express

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Desktop Publishing Top Ten

• Use limited fonts.
• Use different fonts for title and text.
• Use correct font sizes.
• Try to avoid too many style changes. BOLD,
  italics, underline.
• Use background and text colors that compliment.

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Desktop Publishing Top Ten

• Visual cues- bullets, arrows, numbers, shading to
  attract attention.
• White Space.
• Graphics usage.
• Text format errors.
• Text break errors.

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Desktop Publishing Sample Classroom Uses

• Help communication, grammar, spelling by creating
  class newspapers or flyers.
• Brochure style research reports can help increase
  student motivation.
• Encourage student creativity early by getting
  them published at a young age.

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Test and Rubric Generators
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Test and Rubric GeneratorsSample Products

• Exam View
• Test Creator
• Easy Test Maker
• Rubric Builder
• Rubric Generator

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Test GeneratorsAdvantages
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Test GeneratorsAdvantages

• Software has multiple templates for tests so
  teachers can just fill in information.
• Random question formats help decrease chances of
  students wandering eye syndrome.
• Answer keys are automatically created.
• Test item banks may be included in software
  already or imported from word processor files.

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Rubric Generators
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Rubric Generators

• Teachers just follow prompts given by the
  software and rubrics are created to view online
  or printed in standard formats.

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Worksheet/Puzzle Generators
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Worksheet/Puzzle GeneratorsSample Products

• Puzzlemaker
• Worksheet Generator

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Worksheet/Puzzle Generators

• Creates worksheets/puzzles for students to help
  them practice skills or review skills.
• Teachers just fill in the blanks and let the
  software do the rest.

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IEP Generators
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IEP GeneratorsSample Products

• IEP Online
• I-Plan

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IEP Generators

• Cuts down paperwork time for teachers to make
  IEPs as mandated by the Americans with
  Disabilities Act.
• As with other material generators, teachers fill
  out required information and the software prints
  out the IEP in a standard format.

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Graphic Document Makers
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Graphic Document Makers

• Used to aid in the creation of materials such as
  award certificates and cards.

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Graphic Document MakersSample Products

• Print Shop Deluxe
• Smart Draw

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Graphic Document Makers

• May help increase student and teacher motivation
  by allowing them to create their own awards and
  certificates using previously designed templates.
• Lets children create greeting cards for holidays
  and special occasions.

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PDF and Forms Makers
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PDF and Forms Makers

• Allows viewing and sending of documents as images.

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PDF and Forms MakersSample Products

• Adobe Acrobat
• PDF Maker Pilot
• Form Artist

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PDF and Forms Makers

• Useful because it allows teachers to make forms
  to collect information from students, parents,
  and other teachers that can be used as part of
  surveys or research projects.

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Data Collection and Analysis Tools
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Data Collection and Analysis Tools

• Help Teachers collect and organize information to
  interpret student progress.

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Data Collection and Analysis Tools

• Electronic Gradebooks
• Statistical packages
• Student information systems
• Computer based testing systems
• Student response systems

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Electronic Gradebooks
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Electronic Gradebooks

• Designed exclusively for grade keeping, many
  teachers find electronic gradebooks easier to use
  than spreadsheet software.

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Electronic GradebooksSample Products

• Grade Quick
• Gradekeeper
• Easy Grade Pro

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Electronic Gradebooks

• Require less teacher setup time but are less
  flexible than speadsheets.
• Use of electronic gradebooks over spreadsheets
  come down to teacher preference.

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Statistical Packages
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Statistical Packages

• Allows for statistical analysis of research and
  experiment data.

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Statistical PackagesSample Products

• XL Stat
• Flex Pro
• Stata Statistical sofware

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Statistical Packages

• Teachers need to have prior knowledge of how to
  use the software but stat packages can break down
  large amounts of data in less time than doing all
  of the arithmetic by hand. Software also helps
  prevent miscalculations.

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Student Information Systems (SIS)
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Student Information Systems (SIS)

• Allows administrators, teachers, parents, and
  students to view individual and classroom
  progress online.

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Student Information Systems (SIS)Sample Products

• Power School
• Pinnacle
• eSIS

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Student Information Systems (SIS)

• Can track and report attendance.
• Maintain demographic data.
• Schedule students classes.
• Track test scores.
• Give parents online access if problems arise in
  students grades or attendance.

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Computer Based Testing Systems
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Computer Based Testing Systems

• Lets students take tests on computers or have
  them take tests using scantron sheets.

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Computer Based Testing SystemsSample Products

• Laser Grade
• Computer Test
• Exam Builder

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Computer Based Testing Systems

• Helps to simplify test scheduling.
• Allows for faster and more accurate grading.

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Student Response Systems
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Student Response Systems

• Permits each student in the classroom to answer a
  question simultaneously.

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Student Response SystemsSample Products

• Hyper Interactive Teaching Technology
• Classroom Performance System
• Turning Point
• Quizdom Interactive Learning System

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Student Response Systems

• Uses may include games and/or comprehension
  checks during class presentations.
• Good way to make sure that all students are
  engaged in the learning process.

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Using Graphic Tools
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Draw/Paint Programs
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Draw/Paint Programs

• Used to create own graphics for documents or web
  pages.
• Kid Pix uses graphics components so that anyone
  may use them with little or no instruction.
• Adobe Illustrator and Macromedia Freehand are
  more technical but can produce more complex
  drawings.
• Possible in class uses?

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Image Editing Tools
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Image Editing Tools

• Used to modify photographic images.
• Photos can be inserted into web pages or
  documents.
• Adobe Photoshop.
• Teachers can insert photos into their notes to
  help illustrate their points.

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Charting/Graphing Tools

• Will draw and print desired charts or graphics
  from gathered data.
• Allows students to focus more on the points of
  the charts/graphs and not on the design of them.
• What in class uses are available with this type
  of program?

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Clip art, Animation, Sound, Video, and Font
collections

• Clip art packages have grown from just still
  pictures to include drawings, cartoons, photos,
  and animations.
• Teachers can use this type of program to insert
  these types of images to help illustrate their
  point.

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Using Planning and Organizing Tools
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Outlining Tools and Mapping Software
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Outlining Tools and Mapping Software

• Designed to help writers develop an outline to
  structure a document.
• Story Starter software helps students get started
  on writing assignments.
• Is this a good idea?
• Concept mapping software helps people to develop
  concept maps to think through and explore ideas
  or topics.
• Inspiration and Kidspiration are examples of this.

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Lesson Planning Software
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Lesson Planning Software

• Provide on screen prompts for specific lesson
  components like objectives, materials, and
  activity descriptions.
• Will also print out lesson plan in standard
  formats.

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Scheduling and Time Management Tools
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Scheduling and Time Management Tools

• Schedule makers software help formulate plans for
  daily, weekly, or monthly sequences.
• Calendar makers will print out calendars with
  specific events or activities that the user
  creates.
• Other software can give on screen prompts for any
  daily events whenever the computer is turned on.

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Research Reference Tools
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Research Reference Tools

• Used to help students research any topic.
• They include Electronic Encyclopedia like
  Encarta.
• Electronic Atlases and Mapping Tools like
  worldatlas.com.
• Electronic Dictionaries and Thesauruses like
  dictionary.com.
• Advantages include the offer of multimedia
  options such as sound or movie clips as well as
  related information for further research.

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Content Area Tools
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Content Area Tools

• Content Area Tools have support tasks to content
  area such as technology education, music, math,
  geography, and social studies.

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Content Area Tools

• Content Area Tools have support tasks to content
  area such as technology education, music, math,
  geography, and social studies.
• Specific tools include

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Content Area Tools

• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD) which allows
  students to design sophisticated and precise
  drawings of objects such as houses and other
  structures.

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Content Area Tools

• Music Editors, sequencers, and MIDI tools allow
  students to create, edit, and revise their own
  music.

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Content Area Tools

• Microcomputer based labs, graphing calculators,
  and calculator based labs allow students to
  collect and analyze data from experiments and has
  proven particularly useful in science and math
  classrooms.

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Content Area Tools

• Reading tools help support reading instruction.
  Useful in bilingual classrooms by allowing
  students to hear stories in both English and
  Spanish.

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Content Area Tools

• Geographic Information Systems and Global
  Positioning Systems help the study of
  geographical and social studies information.

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THE END