CHAPTER 5

SOFTWARE FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS

This chapter details on the system and application software which help administrators, teachers and students electronically meet the
ends of their products. This chapter further introduces the different application software that allow students and teachers to enhance
their skills in producing creative outputs such as reports, presentations, record keeping, and many others.
Intended learning outcome
At the end of this chapter, you are expected to:
 Demonstrate skills in rating software for teaching and learning use.
Software is categorized into two types: system software and application software. Both complete the purpose of the
individual for acquiring computer at home, school, office, church, and business.
System software
System software consists of programs that control the operations of the computer and its devices. System software serves as the
interface between the user. The application software, and the hardware (see figure 5.1). Operating system is one type of system
software which contains instructions that coordinate all of the activities of the computer hardware devices. The operating system also
contains instruction that allow the user to run the application
software.
Every time you boot up your computer unit, the operating
system starts to run by loading itself into the computer’s memory. The
operating system then does its job by telling the computer how to
perform functions such as transferring data between the input/output
devices and computer memory, processing program instructions
communicating with the computer hardware and other software like
word processor spreadsheet, presentation, and other application
programs. The operating system remains in the computer memory
and it continues to run while the computer is turn on. Figure 5.1 – system software serves as the interface
The Different operating systems between the user, hardware, and application software.
Computer software companies regularly upgrade their
operating system by releasing new versions which contain new features that make computers more powerful and much user-
friendly. The latest operating systems provide improved integration with the World Wide Web and enhanced the multimedia
capabilities of computers.
1. Stand-Alone Operating Systems
This is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer, or mobile computing
device. Examples of which are Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.
 Windows: Microsoft Windows is the most known operating system. Many versions had been out in the market to help users
perform computer-based tasks with more convenience. Windows used to have Windows Vista, Windows XP, and windows
7 versions. Now, Windows 8 and Windows 10 versions are widely used.
 MAC OS X: This operating system is only available for computers which are manufactured by Apple. The Mac OS X
Mavericks has features which offer endless possibilities for browsing, purchasing, and interacting with applications. Mac OS
X used to have Mac OS X Tiger, Mac OS x leopard, Mac OS X Lion, etc.
2. Embedded operating systems
This kind of operating system resides in an internal chip rather than a hard drive. This is the operating system used on
mobile devices and other consumer electronics. Today’s embedded operating systems recognize multiple points of contact
and allow users to interact with the device using a stylus or finger. Motions like, tapping, swiping, sliding a finger send
instructions to the device with the help of the embedded operating system. Users, thus, can interact and enjoy a number of
applications (also known as “apps”) with the help of the embedded operating system.
The three popular embedded operating systems are Apple’s iOS, Google Android, and Blackberry OS.
 iOS: Apple’s iOS is previously known as iPhone OS. iOS is an operating system that was developed by Apple and used on the
iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, and Apple TV. Apple allows programmers worldwide to design apps specifically for devices
supporting this operating system. iOS-based apps are available for download at the Apple App Store.
 Google Android: Google designed the Google Android operating system for mobile devices. This operating system allows
programmers to design programs specifically for devices supporting this operating system. This operating system is being
used in more than 20 different types of mobile devices including tablet computers.
 Blackberry OS: this operating system was developed by Research in Motion for Blackberry’s line of smartphones. The
decline in sales of Blackberry was felt in the past years.
3. Emerging operating Systems
The emerging operating system like that of Google’s Chrome OS has the potential to revolutionize computing. Google
Chrome OS is based on Google Android which designed to work exclusively with web-based and cloud-based applications
and to run on Chromebook computers.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Application software or application programs allow users to perform specific tasks like writing documents, making
project presentations, video recording and many others.
Application software can be used for the following purposes:
 As a productivity/business tool
 Create graphics and multimedia projects
 Support school and professional activities
 Help individual with home and personal activities
 Facilitate communication
Below is an illustration on how application software is run with the help of system software. This is based on MS Windows operating
system and its application software.
Step 1.
Upon booting app the computer unit, the operating system starts to work. The operating system loads into the memory of
the computer and displays and desktop on the screen.
Step 2.
Select a specific application program to work on (e.g. MS Word, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, Notepad, Paint, etc. ) from the
Start menu. In this step, you are instructing the operating system of the application program you want to work on.
Step 3.
Creaate a document using the selected application software. Opening an existing file, editing, copying, cutting, pasting,
painting, erasing, saving, printing, etc. are some of the activities you can do with the application software with the aid of the
operating system.
Types of Software Applications used in Schools
There are several educational ativities being done in schools in which application software are of great help in accomplishing these
activities. The different types of software that support educational technology applications in school setting include Instructional
Software, Productivity Software, and Administrative Software.

Instructional Software Problem Solving Software

This are program designed specially to deliver instruction or aid Focuses on fostering skills in problem-solving. This software
with the delivery of instructions. Instructional Software are provides opportunities to practice various kinds of content area
intended to teach skills or information through demonstrations, problem.
examples, explanation, or problem solving. Examples are Special Needs Software
tutorials, drill-and practice prograams, simulation, instructional Designed specifically for students with learning disabilities
games, problem solving, and special need software. to assist them in carrying out school task. This includes speech
Tutorial Software synthesis software, text enlargement programs, talking
A software that teaches the users about new concepte. A tutorial calculators and others.
usually offers pretest, post-test and drill and practice. This Productivity Software
software guides the user from start to the end of learning. Productivity software is designed to help teachers and
Drill and Practice Software students in creating their reports, computing of grades,
Provides exercises in which students work on items one at a time communicating, developing of materials and keeping of records
and receive feedback on their correctness. An effective dril-and- effectively and efficiently. Productivity software includes
practice program should allow studenys to work at their on pace, applications such as word pressing, electronic spreadsheet,
give motivating feedback, and be user friendly. Dril-and-practice presentation graphics, graphics and multimedia software,
Software stregthen students skills by providing them repetitive database, personal information management, and software
task until they master the concept or idea. suites.
Simulation Word Processing Software
Simulations provides a live-like or world-like scenario or This is one of the most widely used for application software.
system that students may experience through the computer. People including teacher and student use word processing
Simulations allow the students to experience what is it like and software in creating documents such as letters, memoranda,
learn how it should be done in a real world situation. Simulations reports, newsletters, thesis, lesson plans, handouts, tests,
involve student into a learning process, save money and communication, and many others. The commonly used word
resources, and make experimentation safe. processing software in school is the Microsoft Word. Some word
Instructional Games processing software are Open Office Writer, Google Docs, Adobe
Primarily used to motivate learners in learning a concept or Buzzword, and Lotus Symphony.
topic. It also allows learners to practice their skills in a more Below are some formatting features and actions that can be
engaging manner. Instructional games make learning fun and done with words processing software to make the documents
motivating. It motivates learners via the challenge of visually appeling and more professional.
competition, and peovide different levels of complexity that
match player’s ability.
Feature Categories/ Word Processing Description
General Benefits Features
Basic features save time Store document for Documents saved to disc or drive can be changed without reentering ext.
writing text and make later use  Rich Text Format (RTF) removes all or most formatting,
changing text easier and commands so other words processors can read the file.
more flexible.  PDF format allows files to be read as formatted documents with
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Store in many formats  HTML format allows documents to be placed on the internet.
(e.g. RTF, PDF, HTML).
Erase and insert text. Allow easy deletion and insertion of additional letters, spaces, lines,
paragraphs or pages.
Search and replace. Allows easy location of characters, words or phrases and substitute it with
new ones.
Move or copy text Allows cutting and pasting (deleting text and inserting it elsewhere) or
copying and pasting (repeating text in several places)
Allow word or Allows the user to type words in a paragraphs that continuously run
wraparound. through the document without hiiting the Enter key at the end of each line.
Desktop publishing features Alignment Adjust the text at the center or justifies it to the right, left or full.
make flyers, reports,
newsletters, brochures, and
student handouts more
professional and visually
appealing.

Language features help
teachers and students in
correcting erroneously
entered grammar and
misspelled words.
Web features allow teachers
and students to connect
documents with internet
resources and create web
page announcements,
reports and project
Support feautures make the
program easier and more
flexible to use
The Power of Word Processing in Education
 Save time in the preparation of materials needed for teaching and learning
 Enhances document appearance .
 Allows sharing of documents.
 Allows collaboration on documents.
Changed Allows the user to format the text using a variety of fonts, type styles, font
styles/appearance colors, margins, line spacing, tabs and indention of the documents.
Insert Headers, Allows the users to place text at the top (header) or bottom (footer)of each
footers, and page of the document including page numbering.
pagination
Insert graphics Insert clip arts or image files into documents
Insert colors and Graphics, objects, and shapes can be filled with color or degrees shading
shading
Insert tables Allows user to organize in a tabular form ussing rows or columns.
Insert text boxes Allows text blocks to be placed in any location of the documents.
Insert drawn figures Allows inserting of shapes, callouts and other figures that may be needed
in a document.
Check and correct Allows the user to review the words entered in the documents against the
spelling stored programs dictionary files.
Suggest words Thesaurus features synonyms for any word in the document.
Check grammar and The word processing software marks the phrases or synthesis that it finds
usage in correct. Grammar checkers review documents for items such as
sentence length, frequency of word use, and subject-verb agreement
Insert “live” URLs Allows user to click on text and go automatically to a web site (Note: Web
browser must be active.)
Create web pages Allows worksheets to be displayed online.
Use templates Allows the user to make use of pre-formatted, flyers, and brochures that
would match their needs
Offer voice recognition Allows the user to enter data through dictationof words rather than typing
using a keyboard
Merge text with data Insert words automatically (e.g. names and addresses) into documents
files such as letters.
Lists of data can be stored within the word processing program or merged
from a data-based.

Electronic Spreadsheet Software

Allows the user to organize numerate data in rows and columns. This software is normally used to doing budgets, grade
computation and accomplish mathematical problems. Spreadsheets are composed of thousands of rows and columns. Columns are
vertically arranged which are identified with letters starting from letter A to XFD (MS EXCEL 2010). Row numbers are horizontally
arranged which are identified with a numbers from 1 to 1, 048, 576.

Presentation Software
Presentation software is designed to communicate and display information including text, images, audio and video elements in a
slideshow format. Presentation progress are typically used as school during lectures, presentation of reports, motivational games, and
the like. Keynote, Apple iWork and Microsoft Powerpoint are some examples of Presentation Software.
Below are some presentation software features that are useful for teachers and students
The Power of Presentation Software in Education
 Helps organize thinking of what the speaker would like to say.
 Enhances the impact of spoken information.
 Allows collaboration on presentations through group work.

Graphics and Multimedia Software

Graphics and multimedia software allows professionals like engineers, architects, publishers, and graphics artists to design work
that is intended for their own field of specialization. Graphics and multimedia software include desktop publishing software,
paint/image editing software, clip art/image gallery, multimedia authoring tools, video and audio editing software, web page authoring
software and others.
Administrative Software
SCHOOL NAME
 REGISTRATION
 SCHEDULE
 SUBJECT
 REPORT GENERATOR
These are programs that administrator at schools use to establish and strengthen record keeping and exchanged of information among
various institutions and agencies. These include student information records, admissions, accounting, payroll system, tuition
management, class scheduling, purchasing, faculty hiring, faculty evaluation, etc.
Feature Categories/General Benefits
Basic features create display of slides
of information in sequence
Display features allow diverse
methods in viewing slideshows
Formatting features allow different
text spacing and slide appearance
Feature Categories/General Benefits
Graphics and interactive features
make slides have more impact and
utility
Web features allow teachers and
students to connect slides to Internet
resources.
Support features make the program
easier and more flexible to use.
 GRADES ENTRY
 STUDENT RECORDS
 OPTION & UTILITIES
 EXIT
Presentation Software Features
Create a slideshow made of separate
frames/slides
Add frames/slides with diverse formats
Copy and paste slides
Add speaker notes to slides.
Search and replace.
Display in diverse methods as single
frame/slide
Display as storyboard
Format font size, type and style
Format background color
Presentation Software Feature
Insert images, drawn figures, charts,
graphs, other products created in other
software.
Insert movies.
Insert interactive buttons or “hotspots”.
Insert “live”URLs.
Save presentations as web pages
Use templates
Save to other formats
Print as handouts
Use timed presentations
Description
Information can be organized and
presented frame-by-frame or by slides
Can apply different frame/slide styles in a
presentation; styles vary from blank
frame/slide to frame/slide with guides
where text and graphics can be placed.
Duplicating slides within or other
presentations is possible.
Aids user in preparing guide notes for each
slide.
Allows all occurences of a specefied word
and phrased to be changed.
Displays a slide that allow editing before
presentation, or a full-screen display during
a presentation.
Displays all slides at once for review and/or
changing slide sequence.
Enhances slide appearance by applying
different text sizes, types and styles.
Allows highlight of text or slide by applying
different background color.
Description
Allows adding of clip art or images, shapes,
callouts, lines or other figures, charts and
graphs to heighten slide appearance and
illustrate concepts.
Allows inserting of short videos to support
information besides text and images.
Allows shifting or linking one slide to the
other in a manageable and organized
manner.
Allows user to click on text or images and
go automatically to a website (Note: web
browser must be active.)
Allows presentation to be displayed online.
Allows user to make use of pre-formatted
styles with themed graphics on each slide of
the presentation that would match their
needs.
Presentations can be saved as PDFs to
share to others the presentation in read-
only format.
Presentations can be printed as handouts
with the desired number of slides per pages
which can be distributed to enable the
listeners to take down notes during the
presentation.
Presentations can be displayed
automatically with play narration and
music using timing setting.