According to Roblyer and Doering (2012), “three of the most widely used software support tools are word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs” (p, 112). In education, teachers utilize the “Basic Three” software programs because they provide four primary benefits: saves time, looks attractive, improves accuracy, and promotes socialization and collaboration among students.
Word Processing Software
Roblyer and Doering (2012) declared that, “no other technology resource has had as great an impact on education as word processing” (p. 116). Word processors allow authors to modify documents rather than create new ones, which aids teachers with time management. Word processing documents can be easily shared with a teacher’s peers and with students via email or hard-copy. Because word processing has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity, educators place pressure on students to become proficient in typing. Roblyer and Doering (2012) state that this emphasis ostensibly threatens to extinct handwriting skills because of the diminishing opportunity to use such skills (p. 120).
Spreadsheet Software
According to Roblyer and Doering (2012), spreadsheet software is an effective tool in teaching several fields: probability, meteorology, business, statistics, physics, mathematics and social studies (p. 125). Teachers most commonly use spreadsheets to organize numerical data, which can be useful in visualizing students’ grades and keeping track of the classroom budget. Although spreadsheets are an effective tool in the classroom, they pose a significant obstacle for students. Students are not as comfortable with using spreadsheets as they are with word processing. This uncertainty is, in part, due to the fact that the student has to know specifically what they want from the software and how to manipulate the data to get the results the student wants.
Presentation Software
Teachers enjoy using presentation software because they can display pictures, diagrams, videos, and other important information as a visual aid when teaching. Unfortunately, some teachers misuse presentation software by lecturing directly from the slides rather than allowing the slides to supplement or compliment their lectures. Students can suffer from a teacher’s presentation software, as well. Roblyer and Doering (2012) highlighted how students can become distracted by and experience boredom from presentations (p. 130).
Classroom Use
Timeline JS is an innovative and dynamic presentation software. Timeline JS computes data from a spreadsheet into a streamlined presentation. The presentation is open to the public, which promotes socialization and collaboration on projects. I would use the Timeline JS website to supplement my lectures and assign group presentations that would encourage students to use the program. The embedded presentation highlights U.S.-Japanese diplomatic relations leading up to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.
References
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill Prentice Hall.
One of the impacts word processing software has on teaching includes the ability to share documents and then modify those documents for individual needs (Roblyer & Doering, 2012, p. 119). With that said, do you believe schools can benefit from setting up a school ‘cloud’ with copies of teacher materials such as newsletters or assignments? Or would that lead to conformity in teaching and stymie the creation of new methods or documents?
ReplyDeleteI find this question interesting. My AP U.S. History teacher sent copies of his notes to the class via email the day before we took his exams. As a class, we collectively benefited from having access to those notes. Ultimately, teachers are supposed to be doing their jobs to benefit the students, so schools should definitely adopt clouds. I can see how doing so would result in replicas from year to year and stymie the curricula's evolution; however, there are numerous factors that lead up to an event in history, for example. Social science teachers face the near impossible task of discerning between which concepts are imperative to cover and which ones need omitting. Because of this issue, i believe social science teachers must modify their approach every year.
DeleteAPUSH teachers need to modify every year especially! The AP test covers so much, and a lot of modern history is ignored.
DeleteI personally love sharing my notes with my peers through Evernote--I plan to do something similar with my students.
Yes! I am taking my first modern history (1945 to the present) class in years this semester. It is rare that history teachers cover post-Vietnam War material in high school, which is unfortunate considering much of that history shapes our present-day condition. Also, when was the last time you took a substantial ancient history class or Asian history class? For me, World Civilizations was so extensive and sporadic that I still struggle with those time periods.
DeleteKeeping up with your notes on Evernote is smart. They will definitely be resourceful when you start teaching.
I found Timeline JS interesting and very resourceful. It provides a template and more ideas to make your timeline "pop". I would definitely try using this as an aid for my Biology classes showing the development of life forms on Earth to present day. Roblyer & Doering stated that presentation software is beneficial in the classroom because it creates demonstrations of materials for discussion (p.130). This is an ideal way to focus student attention while explaining important concepts or pointing out essential features (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 132). If you decided to have your class make their own timelines, do you think Timeline JS would be easier than going back to the basics using word processor or spreadsheet?
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you could find a use for Timeline JS in your field! Naturally, word processors are going to be one of the most comfortable tools that students use because of the frequency it is used. Timeline JS is a really good tool for students who avoid using spreadsheets. I would encourage them to input their information directly, but reassure them that using a word processor to copy and paste their information is okay, too. Hopefully, by the time they finish working with Timeline JS, they will begin to see that spreadsheets are an aid, not an enemy.
DeleteI like the idea of using presentation software for group projects. This gets the kids to interact with each other while also learning. Timeline JS seems to be a great way to incorporate history into a presentation. Instead of having students use poster boards and long reports, they can know use presentation software to make ideas more visual. In regards to group presentations, Roblyer and Doering (2012) stated that it is “the most powerful strategy for integrating presentation software” (p.133). With that being said, do you think students find presentation software as a more creative and social way of learning?
ReplyDeletePresentation software is a fun tool for students to use, but because students can divvy up the work among themselves, not much collaboration is needed. So, no. Presentation software is not a very socialized way of learning, but the software can be manipulated in a creative way.
ReplyDelete