Lesson 14

The Software as an Educational Resource

            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:

1. The systems software. This is the operating system that is found or bundled inside all computer machines.

2.  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 tasks such as writing papers, calculating numbers, drawing graphs, playing games, and so much more .

Microsoft Windows

            

          Also referred to as a program, Microsoft Windows or Windows for short is an operating environment between the user and the computer operating system . Also called shell, it is a layer that creates the way the computer should work .

                Windows as (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 can be bought from software shops or dealers . The teacher through his school should decide on the best computer-based instructional  (CBI ) 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 . In 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 the 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)

REFLECTION

    

         In this lesson, I learned that, when we are using computer, there are a lots of softwares are being used.  Softwares are important to a computer because they are the ones to put sense to the computer. Without software we can’t use the computer.

APPLICATION

 

            As a future teacher if we all know about this software we must to share it into another in order to learn them as well us like you/me. it help will more perfectly.