Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching

Integrating Word Processing, Spreadsheets, & Data Base Software Tools into Teaching & Learning

Why Use Support Tools?

Improved Productivity Improved Appearance Improved AccuracyMore Support for Interaction

Word ProcessingSpreadsheetsDatabases

Productivity Tools

Word Processing

Saves Time (Modify materials instead of creating new ones)

Better Appearance (Materials look more polished and professional than handwritten or typed materials)

Document Sharing (Teachers can exchange lesson plans, worksheets and other materials which can be easily modified. Students can also share ideas and products among themselves.)

Relative Advantage

Word Processing Issues

When to Introduce (adv. - Free students from handwriting and focus on writing expression skills. Disadv.- May not be willing to spend time developing handwriting skills)

Keyboarding (Are keyboarding skills necessary?)

Effects on Handwriting (May result in poor handwriting)

Impact on Assessment

Relative advantage of Word Processing

Research indicate that students who use word processing in the context of writing instruction programs tend to write more, revise more, make fewer errors, and have better attitudes toward their writing than students who do not use word processing.

Word Processing in the Classroom

Teacher Productivity•Letters•Flyers•Reports•Lesson Plans•Newsletters

Word Processing in the Classroom

Instructional Activities

Writing Process (write, edit, produce reports in content areas, keep notes and logs on classroom activities.)

Dynamic Group Products (Poems and letters) Individual Exercises Writing Across the Curriculum

Storing documents Erasing & inserting text Search & replace text Moving & copying text Word wraparound Change style & appearance easily

Word Processing

Features

Word Processing

Justification Automatic headers & footers Inserting text from other programs Spell checking Suggested words

Features

Word Processing

Style & grammar checking Graphics insertion Merging text & data Tables Templates Voice recognition

Features

Spreadsheets