Reflecting on What I Know - Chapter 4

There are so many types of software; how do I know which ones to include in my lessons?
When selecting what types of software to use in a lesson, a teacher should first step back and take a look at the goals and objectives of the lesson. The teacher should then examine the function of different types of software and choose the type that best aligns with their lesson objectives. For example, if the teacher's objective is to have students create and present something, PowerPoint would be a great software to use. If the lesson involves researching a specific item, browsers and search engines would prove to be helpful. When a lesson involves problem-solving and group work, games and simulations could be effective software. And when a teacher simply wants students to practice a specific skill, drill and practice educational software would be most helpful. To know what kind of software to include in a lesson, a teacher must simply align the lesson goals and objectives with the function of the software.

image source

I understand why students should use educational software and the Internet, but why should my fourth-grade students learn to use spreadsheet, database, or video editing software?
All of the above mentioned software are very important tools for students of practically any age, even fourth graders. Spreadsheets, for example, are strongly connected to mathematics. One of their strongest attributes is that they are able to display information in a way that students can interpret and understand it. This is especially applicable in fourth grade when students are making graphs; spreadsheets simply require them to enter the data correctly and it will generate a graph for the student. Databases would be especially helpful when fourth grade students are conducting inquiries. Databases offer quick and easy retrieval of information and sorting, which appeals to the inquisitiveness of students. Video editing is also applicable to fourth grade classroom work for various reasons. Video editing can showcase different stages of student work, can help students report on things, can record reenactments, and can record student performance over a period of time.

image source

How can student use of different types of software help improve scores on state tests?
As the textbook notes, there have been numerous studies linking computer and software use to higher scores on tests. Using word processing software has helped to improve the writing skills of middle school students. It allows them to learn how to organize their thoughts in a more cohesive manner. Spreadsheets are a great way for students to examine data and graphs, which is certainly a skill needed to do well on state tests. Testing software is an obvious type of software that would help improve scores on state tests. Accelerated Reader is a testing software that prepares students and helps them practice for the types of questions they will be asked on state tests.