Chapter 4: Recent Development in Software Tools
The text talks about software tools that have existed for a long time and how it is always improving. Some of the most recent tools that are useful in the classroom is:
- web-based software tools
- open-source software
- PDA tools
- web-enabled features
- better file-exchange compatibility
- software suites and integrated packages
The web-based software tools is what we are using in this class. I had no idea all of the things that Google does on its website. I did not know about Google docs or the sites that we use. It is nice to have Google docs so that you can type something up quick and save it online without having to use a USB flash drive. Then with PDA tools you use handheld computers which would be nice to have in a classroom but is not totally an ideal situation because some schools would not be able to afford some PDA tools. With web-enabled features people use this all of the time. Anytime you use the computer and look things up on the web websites use HTML or web page formats. Better file-exchange compatibility is fantastic because you can create a document in Microsoft Word 2010 and then save it so it is compatible to 2003- 2007 Microsoft Word. With any software you can usually save it more than one way which is really nice but there are still some kinks with file-exchanging because they sometimes do not work on other computers. Another great development in software tools is software suites and integrated packages because Microsoft Office has so many options that you can choose from. Microsoft Office has really developed the most with all of the options and how often they improve their software. Like I said above about how you can save from Microsoft Word 2010 to be compatible with Microsoft Word 2003- 2007 which is really nice because not everyone has 2010 or can afford to update Microsoft Office. The only software tool that I have not used or heard of is the open-source software. The text talks about open office which provides people with free access to software that can be downloaded to use on your computer. You can use the website for word processing, spreadsheets,presentations, graphics, databases that can be used in different languages. I think that it is great that software tools are developing all of the time and can become even more useful and helpful for students and teachers.
In addition to the compatibility of open office with Microsoft Word, Apple's word processing product, Pages, is compatible with Word as well giving greater compatibility between Mac and PC users. Pages is also available in a mobile version for iPhone and iPad users. For schools who have access to iPads this would allow the teacher to review the homework on the go. Also, with Apple's airplay the students could create presentations on their iPads using Keynote and then wirelessly project it to the TV in the class room.
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