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Educational Technology Integration
Applications technology describes software programs that in themselves
have no subject matter content. These programs are tools in
the classic sense. Therefore, not surprisingly, the software application
tools used in education are the same tools used in other settings
such as business. Spreadsheets, database programs, word processors,
and presentation authoring tools are commonly used by all personal
computer users and are readily available for many teachers and
students.
Increasingly, applications tools are "bundled" together
by a manufacturer or distributor and arrive as part of a new computer
purchase. These bundles are often referred to as "Integrated
Software" or "Application Suites" and are sold
under brand names such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Works,
or ClarisWorks. Not all bundles are identical and the
actual programs that comprise the bundle are determined by the
manufacturer. Nevertheless, the basic idea behind bundled applications
is the same. Central to the concept of integrated software bundles
is the idea of a menu interface that is common between the elements
of a bundle (i.e., the word processor, spreadsheet, and other
programs). This simplifies learning the different commands that
work across the programs and allows the user to move data easily
between different application tools.
Spreadsheets
e.g., Microsoft
Excel, ClarisWorks
A spreadsheet is a program which organizes "cells" of
numerical data into tables of rows and columns much as one would
find in an accounting ledger. Through the use of equations (written
in a simple programming language unique to the particular spreadsheet
program in use) the spreadsheet program is able to perform basic
mathematical functions across the rows and columns. For example,
it is possible to total a column of numbers, divide that total
by cells within the column, and report the resulting average elsewhere
on the spreadsheet. Most spreadsheet programs provide a capacity
for graphing data. Graphs can range from simple X-Y line graphs
to more complex three-dimensional representations.
Spreadsheets are excellent tools for students to collect and analyze
data and thus work well in curriculum units that call for students
to deal with both interdisciplinary content and process/information
analysis tasks. Students can design spreadsheet layouts, collect
the data to fill in the various rows an columns, and then write
equations to analyze the data they have collected. In this way,
a spreadsheet becomes a vehicle for learning about and representing
both simple and more complex relationships between numbers and
pieces of information.
While the use of spreadsheets is very common in mathematics and
science curricula, they can be used any place where data collection
and analysis is required. Many teachers use spreadsheets in social
studies curricula where students might collect numerical information
and organize it chronologically. Projects on genealogy and immigration
make particular use of spreadsheets.
Database Management Programs
e.g., Microsoft
Access, FileMaker
Pro
Databases work much like spreadsheets, although they are often
used where textual information is more important than numerical
data. A database management program is used to create,
organize, and manipulate information in databases. Databases are
primarily used for creating "records" of collected information.
Most database management programs allow for some degree of numerical
analysis of the collected information (e.g., counting, grouping,
sorting by rank order, etc.).
Databases are often used in interdisciplinary curriculum units.
They become a vehicle for information collection and organization.
The manipulation of information within a database calls for mathematics
and critical thinking skills. These skills are further enhanced
when a student designs a database using a database management
program.
Word Processing Programs
e.g., Microsoft
Word, ClarisWorks
Most teachers are familiar with word processing programs in that
the teacher likely uses such a program to create lesson plans,
student/parent communications, and personal correspondence. Students
make use of word processors in similar ways. Certainly, research
papers, projects, and other written communications can be accomplished
with the use of a word processor.
Aside from simply making student work appear "neater",
word processors have pedagogical importance in that they have
been found to encourage students to write more and to more easily
edit and revise their work. In this way, they are powerful tools
in developing writing, critical thinking, and research skills.
Further, word processors as a technology-based tool, encourage
and motivate certain students who have difficulty with the manual
task of handwriting. Finally, many students take greater pride
in work that has been produced with a word processor. This motivates
these students to continue writing and performing the other learning
tasks associated with their writing.
Word processors are not just used within Language Arts curricula.
Students may word process work related to any subject area. Also,
word processed work often becomes the basis for importing data
into databases, spreadsheets, and presentation programs. In this
way, the word processor is often the cornerstone application within
integrated application suites such as Microsoft Office,
Microsoft Works, or ClarisWorks.
Presentation Tools
e.g., Microsoft
Powerpoint, Hyperstudio
Presentation tools allow students and teachers to take text, numerical
data, graphs, sounds, and visual images and organize this information
into "multimedia" presentations. While it is possible
to use multiple media (e.g., sounds and images) within a presentation,
it is also possible to create a text-only presentation. It is
important to remember that although most presentation tools allow
for the creation of very sophisticated products, the degree of
sophistication and complexity is very much under the control of
the author.
Virtually any student project can result in a presentation. Presentations
can be made before an entire class or be designed for individual
viewing. Multimedia presentation tools can be integrated into
any lesson or unit that would otherwise result in a "paper
and paste" project product.
While a presentation tool such as Powerpoint is simply software,
this software usually requires the use of particular hardware
to acquire digital images/sound and to display the resulting multimedia
presentations. Nevertheless, much of the material that makes its
way into most presentations results from other software applications
such as word processors and spreadsheets (which create tables
and graphs).
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