If students can not access the software they use in school, then schools should not use it.
Using a nom de plume, tell me what you think of that statement.
What I am advocating is for schools to:
- stop using Microsoft Office, but to use Open Office
- stop using Inspiration and use CMap
- stop using Adobe Photoshop and use the Gimp
- stop using Internet Explorer and use Firefox.
and more...
I think it would be more beneficial to students and teachers if schools only used software that students had access to at home. Teachers would be able to plan assignments using this software to be completed outside of school. I think that it's important for students to be able to work with software at school with an educator that can assist them, and also be able to discover things on their own at home.
ReplyDeleteAs far as changing from Microsoft Office to Open Office, etc., etc., I need to know more about these software programs. From what I could see (when I researched them), they were readily available for everyone, and they seemed to have some really cool features. I still would like to more about each.
It does make a lot of sense to have the software readily available to students and teachers no matter where they are. A lot of teachers prepare at home. It is also a neat feature when students can go home and have discussions or post items to classmates for homework.
ReplyDeleteMicrosoft Office has a huge benefit for education, in that mostly everyone is familiar with it and has been using it already. It is hard to get people to change from what they are used to and get trained on something else. I would like to be exposed to it and then decide if I would like to use the other programs.
All software used in school should be available at home also. This is especially true when teachers assign homework that requires the use of certain programs.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of Open Office until now. I looked at the website, but I would need to see more of it and be shown how it works. However, I really like Microsoft Office because I am so comfortable with it now.
Surely Divine said...
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a statement which I can absolutely agree with. Before today I had not heard of Open Office, CMap, and GIMP but after exploring each I could see their benefits. One feature that I particularly liked was the multi-language feature. This feature alone would enable teachers to communicate and work with multicultural students and families; especially those who do not have English as their first language. It is crucial in today's educational world that teachers can teach and communicate clearly with all students and their families in order to better level the educational 'playing field' and programs such as these can do so.
As for concerns about students and their families having online access outside of school, I am fully a believer in using and supporting local libraries. As a teacher I would help students and their families find their library and recommend they use it often for school and personal use.
Tim Horton says,
ReplyDeleteI believe that this is a very important statement because there is no point in getting the students familiarized with a certain program when they have to go home and can't access it! With all of the new programs students can do more homework that matches what they are doing in school. Also it would allow the teachers to have links to these programs on their websites so that it will be yet another teaching / learning tool for both the parents and students. I would love to learn more about all of these programs if possible!
I think that yes, software should be available to students whether they are at school or at home. Consistency is an important part of education. Students should be able to have the chance to complete assignments at home using the same software that they are familiar with from school. Having multiple versions of software could make an assignment very difficult for the student, resulting in them not wanting to complete it or getting very frustrated. As teachers, we need to make sure the frustration level is down in our students. Therefore, I agree that the software should be the same between home and school.
ReplyDeleteAs schools demand more from the students, the schools have to become responsible to make it an even playing field. Switching to programs that are more accessible to all students gives each student the ability to succeed. The fact that the program are more educational should only make the switch that much easier.
ReplyDeleteLooking at this from a cost perspective, i think this would benefit all students who have access to computers at home. Buying programs can be costly and some families may not be able to afford to constantly upgrade their software. Creating a level playing field where all students can use and share their ideas is a great idea. I am not familiar with these programs but i will probably end up downloading and using all of them.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is important that students are exposed to new programs and keep updated with the current technology.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the others who posted in that students should use programs that they have access to at home. I know from personal experience that Microsoft Office is fairly expensive and since I didn't have the program at home using it became a hassel when I had to drive to school when assignments required the use of that program.
Looking at things from another perspective, students could also learn Open office, CMAP and GIMP in school and become the expert at these programs and share them with their friends and family.
I have always believed that the resources that are being used at school by students need to be readily available at home for them. If all students do not have access to these resources at home then they are put at a huge disadvantage. Also if all of the students have access to the same software then it would be a great advantage to the teacher in regards to lesson planning, homework assignments, sharing student work, etc.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said I think that your idea of switching to the mentioned software is a great idea. I am not really familiar with them but they are all free so they will be available to everyone. It might take some getting used to but once everyone gets the hang of it I'm sure that they will work out just as good as the traditional programs.
I think that schools should only be using software that the student uses at home. If a certain class wants to use a software that the students might not have, i think its the schools job to provide a copy of the software since they expect the students to use it. Today a lot of software are expensive, not to mention how expensive buying just a computer can be. I think the schools should stay with basic software such as Microsoft word, and stuff they're familiar with.
ReplyDeleteI do think that using computers is essential though for students today. Almost everything today is done through a computer, and if kids don't become computer literate, it could hurt them in the long run. I think a lot of schools are focusing on a more computer based learning because students can do a lot of stuff at home and it's easier. I definitely think fire fox is an easier program for education. I feel like it's easier for kids to use, its more organize and its just the friendliest. I would no be against trying different programs like Cmap and Open Office just to see how the kids react to it. It seems that Microsoft is the leader in software, but they also have higher prices, so i think its this is definitely something that can be looked into.
I think that this is a very important issue. What if students don't have the same access to microsoft word, and other programs at their house that they are using in school. This poses a problem for how they are going to understand how to use the program. I believe that students should have the same access to a program at both home and at school.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of Open Office before looking it up, it seems that it is readily available to everyone, which makes me think that this is a great idea, so the students have the same programs to use at home and at school. I would like to try out Open office, etc., etc., myself, to see if I liked it, but they do seem very neat.
Very interesting software. I am still a firm believer that more often than not, it is the archer, not the arrow.
ReplyDeleteI recall a story I heard from an old friend of mine who went to the US Air Force Academy: on the first day of one of his classes, the professor passed out a business card to each of his students. On this card was his address, phone number, email address and two quarters taped to the back. When the students noticed the quarters, he proclaimed, "Now you have no excuse why you can't contact me to ask for help."
ReplyDeleteThis story has stuck with me as far as making things accessible because this professor covered almost every base that his students might use to contact him, and I bring this story up because it relates to the accessibility of software in the realm of how there is no "excuse" as to not making things accessible to students for being productive. By implementing a standard for everyone based on accessibility (ie: Google Docs or Open Office,) we allow everyone to be on the same page, using the same program, and having few (if any) compatibility issues.
As for switching, I just dont see the need to just yet; all of my programs and apps work and satisfy all the necessary requirements needed to complete/do my work, and if one of them does not or I find something that can improve over another product (Firefox 3 over Safari, for example), I use Firefox. It's all about productivity.
I would have to agree with this statement--students need to be able to use the same programs at home that they are at school. In investigating these programs, it appears that C-Map, Open Office, and Gimp all offer services that are of the same (or better) quality as the software we are more familiar with, but they are offered for free. Not only would this help students to be able to download these same programs to their home computers and be able to use them at home, but it would help schools to save money.
ReplyDeleteIt also appears that Firefox has benefits that would be particularly helpful in the classroom, such as a Full Zoom option, which would be excellent for students with visual impairments, and a pop-up blocker. I'm not sure if Windows Explorer also offers these options, but they are definitely desireable characteristics for a classroom web browser.
I think that schools should not require students to use softwares outside of the classroom for school assignmnents because they may not be able to access them and may experience to many unforseen problems. Technology can be an effective teaching aid in the classroom and students should learn how to use these programs in school but should not be expected to provide them for themselves.
ReplyDeleteFrom SRSmith7987
ReplyDeleteI think this software should be available at every school and home so that the students can further the knowledge. If the teacher has the technology to teach that students, then the students should have the same technology to teach themselves as well. Technology is a big part of education and should always be there for the students needs whether they are home or at school, their minds should be working all throughout the day. When they have the right tools, they will be able to complete assignments at home. Their parents or guardians will also know what their child is doing and will hopefully get involved in their education. As a future teacher, I want to help my students and their parents get the best experience for their education.
Looking through the resources on the website, I really liked the multi-language feature. This feature can not only help the teacher learn about multicultural students but the students can also learn about their peers. The diverse languages on this website can really impact the classroom in a positive way. This way all needs are measured.
I think that schools should use software that is available and accessible to students when they are out of the classroom as well. While in school students can learn how to use the software and then continue to learn it on their own at home. Plus by using the same software at school as they do at home, students would not get frustrated or confused when they have to use another program different then what they learned at school. They will learn more and have a feeling of confidence and boost their self-esteem that they know about a certain program and can use it.
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be good for students to be able to access computer software and technology both at school and at home, but this is not always an option for some underprivileged students. They should at least be able to use educational programs at school and learn how to use the features of each. If they have computers at home they would be able to explore the same features on their own time.
ReplyDeleteThe other options for office and such would be a good idea, but i would definitely need to research them more because i am not very familiar with them. From what I see they would benefit most students more than the common programs most of us use today.
Even though it would be most beneficial for students to have the same software at home and at school for maximum reinforcenment, the sad reality is that a great percentage of our students do not even have access to the most basic of applications. I think as teachers we should use the best to teach the children while they are at school. We shouldn't cheat them of the best, and use less developed technology just because they don't have access to it afterschool, that would only be deprieving them 100% and letting them fall even more behind. I think it is the teacher's responsibility to become accustomed with the newest, best, and most educational technology out there and pass along to their students.
ReplyDeleteI think that students should be familiar with many different programs when it comes to technology. In this world, young people now more than ever must be flexible, and have skills training in a variety of programs. Therefore, I would say Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Inspiration, and Phototshop are important for students to be familiar with because they are widely used in jobs and social networks.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if students cannot access these things at home, they should not be given homework on these programs from school because some families will not be able to afford to purchase these programs. I also think schools should use programs that are free such as Open Office, CMap, the Gimp and Firefox in schools so students will be able to access these programs at home. Overall, I feel as if schools should use all of these programs, but if they are going to assign work on them, then only use those that are free of cost to the families.
I think by using programs that students have access to, both at home, as well as school, would be most beneficial.Students would be able to work on an assignment, or what have you in the classroom, then further experiment with the programs on a home computer.
ReplyDeleteI use Microsoft Office daily, so my opinion is strongly leaning towards Microsoft Office. That is also because I have never used Open Office, as well as the other programs listed. I would have to familiarize myself with these programs before I could come to a worthy conclusion with judging between them.
I personally feel that children should become familiar with many different computer applications. I strongly feel that children become more advanced when they are introduced to a variety of experiences. Therefore, I do not see any harm in using different programs at school than at home.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, some families may not own a computer, have the ability to visit a local library, or afford new and improved computer programs. This does not mean school districts should not introduce new programs. I think technology is not only a learning tool, but one should have a good background in order to function in society. Everything now a days is based on technology and a school district should take this into consideration and not deny what their children need and deserve.
I personally feel that children should become familiar with many different computer applications. I strongly feel that children become more advanced when they are introduced to a variety of experiences. Therefore, I do not see any harm in using different programs at school than at home.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, some families may not own a computer, have the ability to visit a local library, or afford new and improved computer programs. This does not mean school districts should not introduce new programs. I think technology is not only a learning tool, but one should have a good background in order to function in society. Everything now a days is based on technology and a school district should take this into consideration and not deny what their children need and deserve.
I agree with this statement. What is the point in students learning to use the software in school if they cannot apply and use this new knowledge when they go home? Some students may have a lot of difficulty understanding the software in school. However, when they have access to the software at home they are able to practice more to develop a better understanding. When someone was showing me how to use software that I was not familar with, I was so lost-I had no idea what to do! However, when I sat down on my own and explored the software I easily learned how to use it. Just like adults, such as me, students learn better on their own. Students also learn better through working in cooperative groups in school. When students can access the software at home they can explore it with their parents or siblings.
ReplyDeleteIf there are students in which their families do not have a computer or cannot afford a computer the teacher should talk with the parents. The teacher could tell the parents that there are resources in the community that are readily avaiable. For example, a library-in most libraries it does not cost money to access the computers, you simply need a library card.
Therefore, if schools are going to use software then the students should be able to access the same software.
I think this software should be available at every school and home so that the students can further the knowledge. Technology is a huge part of education and should be there for the student’s needs either at home or at school. Technology has developed so much in the past ten years and will continue to grow. There will always be new stuff to learn with computers. When the children have the right tools, they will be able to complete assignments at home. Their parents will also know what their child is doing and will hopefully get involved in their education. As a future teacher, I want to help my students and their parents get the best experience for their education. Everything now a day is based on technology and a school district should take this into consideration and not deny what their children need and deserve.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is detrimental to have the same software that is used in the classroom accessible at home as well. Teachers can plan assignments that students can do online at home, as well as have access to the teacher if they have any questions. They can email each other or start a group where a couple people can work on it together.
ReplyDeleteI am used to working with Microsoft Works, and finally got used to it. The switch to the new program will be useful for the future. but I'm sure it will take some getting used to.
I believe that every student should have access to the same materials that they use in their schools as they do at their homes. Students are able to learn outside of the classroom and with help from other members sin the community to help out the student with open office. Students need to have access to the materials that they use in schools so that they can develop the skills they learn in school outside in their homes.
ReplyDeleteI haven't used this software but i believe that any software that can be used by anyone no matter of the social economic status. They can use any public computer to use the same materials that they use at home.
I totally agree. If students don't have software that they can access at home than how can they improve? Teachers should really consider using these tools to help improve students progress with technology as a tool.
ReplyDeleteIt is very important that students have access to programs they are using in school at home. Schools should be using software that children have access to at home. For those students who do not have computers at home or access to the software schools are using, the schools should provide software and/or computers for those children.The software children are using should be consistent. School districts should make sure that all teachers and students are using the same software so children are not confusing one program with another. Also teachers should encourage students to use the same programs they use in school at home, and as stated above take the necessary steps to make sure children are able to do this.
ReplyDeleteBecause I have not used most of these programs, I cannot agree with all of your statement at this time. However having downloaded and starting using Firefox, I have found it more beneficial then internet explorer so I would guess the other programs you are recommending are also good programs. I think that schools should be using whatever programs are free and the most technologically advanced in order to keep children up to date when they are using computers.
I do think that it would be quite helpful for students to be able to use software that is readly avaliable for them at home and at school but with some standards of course. Some homes and schools may not be equiped with such programs as microsoft office, powerpoint, and excel but i do believe that these are standards that are seen in the real world so i would think that microsoft at least since a lot of companies and what not use it should be taught regardless if the student has it at home or not.
ReplyDeletebut over all i do agree with the statement.
I have and love Photoshop... but, I was first exposed to GIMP this past Fall, and it is amazing! Just as good, and free, compared to that ridiculously overpriced program. (: I have recommended GIMP many times since. I made an interactive GIMP tutorial for my EDC 601 course! It was a fun project, that is very beneficial for others to use. Never heard of CMap but I'm making note to google it. I've never used Open Office, but I have heard lots of positive things about it, and plan to try it out soon. Everything you've pointed out is equivalent to such costly software. Therefore not only is it a huge money saver, but students will be able to work at home as well. Your suggestions heed more than just one great benefit!
ReplyDeleteI think that accessibility for all students and teachers is very important. I have noticed even at the college level that the new Word for Visa. It causes issues when sending documents back and forth when recipients are using older programs. It causes issues and frustration for me, and I understand why. At an elementary level students are not going to understand why they can do something a school in the ideal setting but not at home.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important for students to have access to software at school and at home. However, realistically many students can't afford the same software they receive at school at home. I don't think students shouldn't be offered software at school just because they can't afford it at home. I do think it would be beneficial to students if they had access to the same software at home and at school but unless the software is paid for at home and at school, I don't think it's going to happen.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSince I forgot the nom de plume the first time around... haha... whoops.
ReplyDeleteThe software recommended in this post is ALL FREE software!!!! If schools used software like the suggested few pointed out there would be no problem... the issue of home and school integration of software would be solved.
I agree with this statement. I believe that students should be able to use the same software that they use at home. I understand that it will be difficult for this to happen because not all computers come with the same software. But you can download software. I think that the schools should send home a list of software that they use in school and have the parents have the same software at home. If they could use the same software at home as they do at school I think it would be helpful to the teachers and students.
ReplyDeleteI am not to sure about Open officestop I myself right now have Microsoft office and think that it is easy to use, but when i looked up about open office stop I found that it to is very easy to use and helpful so I think that if I had time to work with it I would know more about it and could comment better on it.
As for using Firefox I agree firefox is much better than internet explorer and I think it would be great for kids to use in school and at home.
I believe that if the students do not have access to certain software from home, then no schools should not be using that software. The software that schools use should be available for the students and their parents to look at so that they can do extra work or practice what they are learning with their parents help.
ReplyDeleteI agree very much with the statement. For years I had Open Office on my laptop which worked just as well, if not better, than Microsoft Office. However, as I went on to college, I realized I would need to forward documents to professors and colleagues. Since Microsoft Office seemed universal, and anything I attempted to forward from Open Office appeared in what seemed to become a form of code, I was forced to abandon Open Open Office and spend money I could not necessarily afford on Microsoft Word. What happens to the student who can not get together enough money to purchase Microsoft Word? I have also been using Firefox for years after a coworker at my office informed me of the "perks" and all around benefits of switching from Explorer to Firefox. It seems that with no down side and only benefits to the proposed "switches" of programs within school districts, the decision would be easily persuasive. However, as other bloggers have commented, there is a certain comfort level. With the correct instruction and necessary commitment, I believe even the most avid Microsoft Word, Explorer, Adobe, and Inspiration user will find ultimate success.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think it would make sense for schools to use programs and software that are available to students at home, it is important to remember that many students do not have access to computers at home. Honestly, to make the standardization of technology used in schools worthwhile for all students, you would also have to standardize the technology made available in places like public libraries, as well. It would take a great deal of time and work to coordinate everything, but it would be the only way to make things equal for as many students as possible.
ReplyDeleteChocolate Lab Lover said...
ReplyDeleteStudents need to have access to the same type of software they are using in school in order to reinforce their knowledge outside of the classroom. It is difficult enough to understand the vastness of technology. When we are expected to take the in-class knowledge and re-apply it on a different type of software is often challenging and discouraging.
Personally, I am terrible with computers. It is incredibly frustrating for me to be trained on one type of software and be expected to apply this knowledge on another type of software that I may not even have access to.
I think the statement makes sense. Students should be able to use certain software no matter where they are. Students could learn and explore software guided by a teacher and should be able to go home and do the same thing on their own. Teachers do plans at home on most occasions and should be able to use the same software for convenient reasons.
ReplyDeleteOpen office and the other software seem convenient and available. I have never heard of them until now. I am one of those people that find it difficult to switch to new features because it takes me awhile to get used to something and when I learn all the new tricks certain programs offer I want to stick with it, rather than changing to something else. Once I become aware of the new software options then I can decide if I like them.
While I think that it is a good idea for educators to be on the same page with what their students have at home, I see some problems with advocating for programs like CMAP, Gimp, Open Office and firefox. There is the assumption that students know and are familiar with those programs moreso than the traditional Microsoft Office, Adobe and internet explore, to which I am familiar with. It is also assumed that these are the programs that the students are using at home. In our home, when we bought a computer for our children to use at home it came preloaded with Adobe, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office. Therefore that is what they use at home, and thankfully, also at school. As a technology-responsible teacher I think at the beginning of the school year it would be beneficial to find out what programs kids are most familiar with and use those programs, or educate them how to use Adobe, Microsoft Office, and Internet Explorer. To assume that I know what all students are using in their homes is presumptious and could be doing them a disservice, by advocating a different program than what they are familiar with.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the statement that all programs should be readily available for students to use at home or in school. It makes learning a much more beneficial experience when the students are already familiar with the tools they are using. However I do not think the students should be limited to programs hat only the schools want them to use. Many programs have there own strengths and weaknesses and the students should be able to explore each and come to their own conclusions.
ReplyDeleteBut with that said, after completing the trail and learning about the other options out there, I was able to become familiar with many tools I did not know were available to me. I feel that all educators should go over the benefits of each program they use and make it easily accessible for students so they can gain all the benefits from them.
Many, many , many of my students do not have access to a computer outside of school. That is reality. What they do have is educational experiences during school hours that involve the use of computers.It is my job, as their teacher, to provide them with positive learning experiences through the use of this technology.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to the statement, I do see the advantages of using these free programs. "Free" being a huge selling point for a district. Those students who may have use of home computers would have the accessibility to these software programs as opposed to having to purchase the others.
I think children should learn to use programs that will benefit them at school, home and wherever they may using technology. If they use one program at school and won't be able to use it other places what good will it do them? If these newer programs are going to be dominantly used in the future then they should become familiar with them. I
ReplyDeleteQwerty says,
ReplyDeleteIt's a no-brainer, if the schools do not provide our children will every means necessary to perform their tasks then they are not doing their jobs.
I use most of these programs at home for most of my school work so I can speak from personal experience. It is sometime difficult to transfer all of the work that I have completed on one program to another. However, if I were to use these programs at school as well as at home, it would allow me more time for reviewing projects and putting them together and not having to worry about saving them in a variety of formats to ensure that I can access them at school as well as at home.
ReplyDeleteI think even if students can not access the software that they use in school, they should still use it and learn the software. A school is a learning environment, and there are many other tools in the classroom that students have access to that aide their learning, but do not have at home. I think that if schools start to show the students programs and software such as Officeshop, and it works really well, then those students may convince their parents to look into getting that program. Or, even if they don't end up getting the program, the students still are more well rounded in their technology skills and will know how to use the program if they ever come into contact with it when they are working, etc.
ReplyDeleteI believe students enjoy technology. Schools should keep up with the demands of technology. It can be a useful tool that helps students feel successful. This would include the students being able to use the technology at home.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion students would benefit from using software at shcool. Even if they do not have access to it outside of school, being exposed to it and learning how to manipulate the software allows students to gain resourceful information and skill. Having a limited access is better than no access. In order to give opportunity for access to software outside the classroom schools can provide access after hours to accomodate the student. This will allow more time for the student to spend their own time investigating and learning new software and what it can allow them to do.
ReplyDeleteAs for what is being advocated for school with the switching of Microsft Office to Open Office and so on I some what agree with. Though I do not have must research and information on the idea, I feel that showing students alternative possiblities that are more accessable can be very resourceful.
I feel that incorporating technology is important for all students no matter what age level. Using technology will keep the students more interested in what is being taught. Also technology is interactive and hands on. Teachers should also provide links for the students to take home for further access to specified web sites.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion of Microsoft works is that I am very comfortable working with their programs. I am used to how each program works. I just now figured out how gmail, and google docs work. I’m willing to learn new things, so I would like to see what Open Office, CMAP.....and the others have to offer
I completely agree that schools should use programs that students have access to. It would allow them to continue work at home. Also, if they had access to the same programs outside of school, they can become more familiar with them and use them more often than if they have to constantly switch back and forth between programs. I know from experience how frustrating it can be when you have to use different programs at school than you have at home. These programs seem to be good options for educational use because of their features and the ability of everyone to access them. I would not be comfortable using new programs to begin with, but in the end they would be more useful and if we used them in schools, children would grow up with them, so that is what they would be comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to me to have students use programs that they have access to on a regular basis, outside of school especially. To familiarize them with these popular programs would be a service in and of itself, besides allowing them to then experiment on their own time. You could argue that most won't, of course, and so it is the tools that are already available in the classroom is what should be focused on, but even if just one or two students are inspired to explore beyond classroom instruction, I say it would be very worthwhile.
ReplyDeletemaryoth19
ReplyDeleteI agree.!!!!! What good is it for a student to be able to start an assingment at school if they cannot finish it at home because of the difference in software.
It can be a frustarting experinece when one as a student can't advance on an assingment at home because they have to wait till the next day or have access to the software to continue their assignment.
In even the most affluent school districts, technology is often outdated and even obsolete. I agree that students would benefit from not only having software that works (what an idea!) but also having access to the same software at home. While I am not familiar with some of the software you mentioned, a little bit of research shows that they are all(?) open source software. That allows them to be ...well...free and also keeps them updated. Parents wouldn't have to keep buying updates all the time. I also think it is easier for children to learn and become comfortable with new technology so to use the argument that 'oh, we are all familiar with MSWord' is wrong. Adults are the ones resisting any change, to the detriment of children. I would be the first to admit that I haven't the foggiest clue how to use The Gimp or OpenOffice but if it helped my students, I'd jump on the bandwagon in a jiffy!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea. Each software is beneficial to obtain to complete homework assignments as well as projects. Especially for those families who are financially struggling, open office is a great way to still complete assignments without spending a dime.
ReplyDeleteFirefox is software that not only it can navigate the web. However it can be used as a resource to complete assignments. All the add-ons that are available with Firefox are great!! I appreciate the add-ons that are available and so will the students.
I was not familiar with Inspiration and CMap until I did research. Both seem great to organize thoughts before they are written on paper. As teachers, we all know many struggle in that aspect.
Because I do most of my preparation from home, and students are required to do much of their assignments from home or someplace other than the school I really liked that these software programs are not only readily available for everyone, they are also available from anywhere. I wasn’t familiar with any of these programs except firefox until now, and even now I still have questions. I really like many of the features and think it would behoove students and teachers to use the same programs both at school and home. It may be very difficult to make that happen especially in low income areas where the parents tend to place less emphasis on academics and have less access to technology. I guess one of the best selling points for these products is that they are free!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree.!!!!! What good is it for a student to be able to start an assignment at school if they cannot finish it at home or somewhere else besides school because of the difference in software.
ReplyDeleteIt can be a frustrating experience when one as a student can't advance on an assignment at home because they have to wait till the next day or have access to the software to continue their assignment.