Word Processing Software:
Word processing software is a major resource in today's classrooms. This software allows students to share documents, improves the appearance of the documents, and gives students the opportunity to collaborate. Word processing software is not only a great way for students to create documents, but it also saves time in the classroom. Documents can easily be edited, which allows students to correct their mistakes without causing a major delay in their final documents. Teachers will be able to create and update materials for their lessons as needed. There are a few skills that must be developed before being able to use this software as a resource. Students must be able to use a keyboard and know how to navigate the software. Many believe that learning these skills will cause a lack of handwriting skills in our generation.
Spreadsheet Software:
Spreadsheets are becoming a common tool used in all fields. It is very important for students to know the software and how to create a spreadsheet in order to be able to understand and create these documents. Spreadsheets are primarily designed to organize numbers, however prove to be useful when storing many different types of information. Students and teachers will be able to organize data, create charts, and apply technology to mathematics.
Presentation Software:
Presentation software is great way to encourage students to collaborate ideas. By allowing students to present their findings on a particular subject or concept, they may present it in such a way that another student may develop a better understanding. When students put their thoughts and findings into this program, they will organize their information. Teachers will also be able to present information to the class in a more efficient way. Many teachers may dislike this program, because when their students create/see these presentations they may spend more time paying attention to or creating the flashy slide as opposed to the actual information presented.
Classroom Use:
I plan to incorporate word processing software on a regular basis. In my future classroom, I want to encourage my students to research their interest. I plan to create several research activities where my students will conduct their own research and record their findings in a word processing document. These activities will allow students to develop their typing skills and learn about reliable web resources.
Brittney, I also want to incorporate Word Processing into my future classroom! I enjoy your ideas about the research projects, I think these would be fabulous for the older grades! In our text, on page 110, the book offered offered the idea for collaboration on documents by using the program Google Docs. I witnessed this being used first hand in my Lit Block placement and loved the outcome. Being able to see their teamwork and also being able to monitor each students input on the project is helpful as well. A question I have for you, is how would you plan on addressing the issue that word processing can effect handwriting?
ReplyDeleteI think that presentation software is beneficial, too! It's a good review tool for teachers to have on loop for the first few minutes of the day. I also agree with implementing Word Processing in the classrooom. I feel that it is the most beneficial of the "Big Three". Typing skills are something that is almost required now to function in the adult world. Students can definitely benefit from your classroom activities.
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