Educational Software & Tech Toys

6 Categories of Software

• Productivity software-Word processing, spreadsheet, publishing, multimedia, and authoring
• Tutorial Software-Teaches material in an interactive way; decides when student has completed enough tasks to proceed.
• Simulation-Presents situation where student takes risks as if confronted with the real-life situation.
• Drill and Practice-Provides practice in skills students have previously been taught
• Problem Solving-Uses critical thinking skills; not relegated to any specific content area.
• Games-Specific learning objectives with the game serving as a motivational device-also called edutainment.

• Know the specific software needs of the population (grade level, ability level, purpose of software, class language, needs)
• Locate the software (educational software catalogs, preview centers, demo copies, reviews, software stores, trial downloads)
• Research hardware compatibility (memory and hardware requirements)
• Examine the program’s contents (appropriate for students, see evaluation form)
• Look at instructional design (learner control, reinforcement, sequencing flexibility, appearance)
• Check to see how easily the program is learned (simple commands, help screens)
• Evaluate a program in terms of consumer value (lab packs, site licenses, academic versions)
• Investigate the tech support and cost (toll-free number for help, return policy)

• Home Version or Consumer Version contains one disk and no teaching materials
• School Version contains disk and teacher manual, which usually includes online and offline classroom material of use.  Additional materials may include lesson plans, templates, and blackline masters.
• Lab Packs contains 5-10 disks and teacher classroom materials and is a good bargain for classrooms with more than one computer.
• Site License means permission is granted for legally copying the program for every computer in a specific building or district.  Some site licenses may be for a specific number of computers.
• Network Version indicates the program has be specifically formatted so that it can be installed on the network and shared by all of the computers attached to the network.

In the past, connecting equipment to a computer meant using a port such as a parallel or serial port.  The problem was that computers only came with s limited number of these ports and often they were taken up with a printer or mouse.  If you purchased extra equipment you would have to have more ports installed if you had the slots in your computer to allow it.  With the advent of Windows 98, equipment can now be attached by the USB (United Serial Bus).  Even though computers only come with one or two of these slots, a hub can be used to open your computer up to as many as your pocketbook can afford.  The hubs will work with Macs or PCs.  Up to 127 devices can be attached to the computer via USB without affecting performance.  The equipment may be "hot swapped" which means you can plug and unplug equipment without turning off your computer.  Today printers, mouse, cameras, cams, and many other devices are now attached by the USB.

• USB Info
• USB Products
• Is your computer USB ready?

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Computer cams enable you to video conference with another party via the Internet.  Cams range in price from $100-$1,000 and can be found with UBS connection.  Video conferencing can be a wonderful classroom experience.  With proper planning this medium students can connect with specialist and other classes from around the world.   Used carelessly the video cam could be a dangerous device exposing students to inappropriate material.  For this reason, Jefferson County has developed a policy for its use.

Use of the computer video camera should only be for educational purposes.  Teachers using this medium must have a prepared lesson plan which incorporates the conference activity.  The conference should be arranged in advance with known educators only.  The cam is not to be used for casual chats or meeting others on the cams.  No conference should be accepted unless planned in advance.  The cam is never to be used unless strictly monitored by the classroom teacher.  When not in use, the cam should be removed from the computer and stored in a safe place.  The software to be used for conferencing is ICUII because it is the only software that provides an educational server.  Teachers should only use the educational server provided.

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Computer Drawing Tablets are pressure sensitive boards which attach via the serial, parallel, or USB ports.  The user draws on the board with an electronic pen and the illustration appears on the computer screen.  The image may then be saved to use in a document, PowerPoint presentation, web page, etc.  Prices range from $75-$200.

Types of drawing boards:

• Pablo
• Wacom

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Tech Update
Jefferson County Schools