Integrating Software and Media Tutors and Tools: Principles and Strategies

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Integrating Software and Media Tutors and Tools
Principles and Strategies

• EDCT 556
• Week 5

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Software IntegrationWe already discussed basic
OS and Office apps and covered thoroughly in EDCT
552.

• Other Software Support Tools
• Materials Generators help teachers produce
  instructional materials.
• Data collection and analysis tools help you
  collect and organize numerical information to
  assess student performance.
• Graphics tools allow production of images and
  illustration of documents.
• Planning and organizing tools help teachers and
  students conceptualize and communicate their
  ideas.
• Research and reference tools provide e-versions
  of encyclopedias, atlases, and dictionaries.
• Discipline-specific tools assist with activities
  associated with certain content areas.

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1. Materials Generators

• Desktop Publishing (most focus on paper output)
• Such as MS Publisher, Quark XPress, Pagemaker.
• It can be used for teaching but crosses many job
  markets.
• The 3 key elements to focus on are page setup,
  text format, and graphics.
• Sample Classroom Applications
• Letterhead for self, club, school.
• Flyers and posters to promote programs and
  events.
• Brochures to promote programs and events, as well
  as sign-up forms or applications.
• Newsletters or magazines. How to inform parents,
  generate interest, fund-raise.
• What output examples can you think of or have
  already accomplished in your current/past roles?

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1. Materials Generators (contd)

• Test Generators and Question Banks
• Most text publishers provide hard copy test
  booklets.
• Many are now also providing a test item database
  from which to pull questions, edit, format, and
  print
• Question formats (M/C, T/F, Essay, etc)
• Random generation of questions
• Selection of questions based on criteria (format,
  difficulty)
• Answer keys
• On screen testing and grading
• Some are providing online databases or test/prep
  environments.

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1. Materials Generators (contd)

• Worksheet and Puzzle Generators
• IEP Generators Objectives, Assessment/Report/Meet
  ing scheduler
• Certificate Makers (or make your own in Word and
  repurpose as needed)

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2. Using Data Collection Analysis

• E-Gradebooks
• Track many assignments tests
• Flexibility in reporting
• Works with various printers networks
• Ease of setup and use
• Use on multiple platforms
• Some are web-based and handle communications
• Statistical Packages
• Most will find Excel plenty robust
• SPSS is another option for focusing solely on
  stats but it is more advanced and costly.

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3. Using Graphics Tools

• Print Graphics Packages Print Shop is a familiar
  example that is consumer-ready.
• Draw/Paint Paint, Photoshop, Freehand,
  Fireworks, KidPix
• Charting/Graphing Software These make the
  desired chart based on a data set you have
  entered. Remember, Excel and PPT can do much of
  this for you already.
• Clip Art, Video, Sound, Animations Much to
  choose from on the web, in Office Value Pack or
  inexpensive CD-ROMs.
• Digitizing Systems, iPhoto, iMovie Scanning,
  importing, editing photos or video.

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4. Using Planning Organizing Tools

• Outlining Tools Can include storyboarding.
• Brainstorming and Concept Mapping Such as
  Inspiration 7 or Kidspiration.
• Lesson Planning Tools There are some CD-ROM
  templates and web templates or resources.
• Schedule/Planners Calendar Makers Some may
  already be on your desktop (Outlook, Entourage,
  Palm Desktop). Print Shop does calendars.

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5. Using Research and Reference Tools

• E-Cyclopedias (World Book, Encarta) CD-ROM or
  web subscription
• Atlases or Topographic Maps CD-ROM or pay for
  print service.
• Electronic Journals/Databases (upcoming session
  with Schulz Ctr.)

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6. Using Tools to Support Specific Content Areas

• Music Editors and Synthesizers
• Reading Tools
• Computer Labs and Probeware
• Graphing Calculators
• Heart Rate Monitors and Pedometers
• Nutrition journals/databases

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Software Tools Search Discussion

• Your Task for the Next 30 Minutes
• What can you already think of that fits into each
  of the 5 categories listed?
• What (else) can you find searching on your
  iBooks?
• As you find resources, go to the next slide and
  insert the name and url in the appropriate column
  and row.
• We will discuss instructor examples, as well as
  what you located at the end of the activity.
• At the end of class, email your results to me. To
  do so, save temporarily to desktop as
  Lastname_Wk5.ppt (Ex Christie_Wk5.ppt).

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Search Results Discussion
Individual results will be combined and group
results posted at course web site for future
reference.
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Collaborative Activity

• Though you will not have the majority of the
  resources we discussed from the 6 Software
  Integration areas, work on your iBook with a
  partner in choosing a software program and a task
  that supports your current/eventual role.
• Plan out and draft a product.
• One part of this process is for each of you to
  download Inspiration from the CD provided. You
  can choose to work with this program or another.
  We currently have Office v.X (Word, Excel,
  PowerPoint, Entourage) and Dreamweaver MX
  installed.