Blog #3

Chapter 3, "Application Software Productivity Tools for Educators", explains the role of a computer's operating system, the ones that are commonly found in computers today, graphical user interface, software application and suites, and how to create documents. In order to be literate with computers, one must understand the workings of software, which is what tells a computer how to perform its tasks. Understanding software will help future teachers better understand how to incorporate computers into the cirriculum, and in understanding software, it will help students to learn it as well. There are several common operating systems seen in computers today. Most popular are Microsoft Windows (98,2000,XP) and Macintosh Operating System (Mac OS, OS X). There are other opperating systems as well such as UNIX or Linux. Application software can be used for the following; to support school and professional activities, assist with graphics and multimedia projects and help with home and personal activities.

Many of these applications have the ability to make, edit, print, save, and format documents. A document is a "peice of work created with an application and saved on a disk with a unique file name". There are several ways of formating a document, such as changing text size, color, and typefaces and styles. There are also voice recognizing applications, which translate your spoken words into written ones right before your eyes. There are also various note-taking software applications, which are becoming increasingly popular. Computers have the ability to create spreadsheets as well. They can take databases and place them into tables with applications such as Microsoft Excel. Powerpoints are a common tool used in education today, which are a way to step out of a boring lecture teaching style by presenting the students with colorful, graphic slides.

Schools have school and student management software, often linking all the computers in a building together. This system often requires students to log in, monitoring their use of the internet and other programs on the school computers. It allows district and school personel to manage budgeting, inventory, technology, and expenses as well. Attendence is commonly taken using these applications now, as well as grades and other student records. These programs make manegerial business much easier on school districts.

From this chapter, I have learned the importance of software and applications for schools and classrooms. I did not realize that running a school district relied so heavily on computer software. It's a good thing that most of today's future teachers are very technologically advanced, and should be able to run an application without any issues. I am looking forward to incorporating documents, powerpoints, and spreadsheets into my cirriculum in my classroom. I believe that these applications will be a great benefit to my classroom for many years to come. There is so much at the schools' disposals for learning these days, it is important to utilize all of these opportunities and advantages.