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tools

Page history last edited by smbell@... 15 years, 10 months ago

 

Software Tools

 

Home Outline Outcomes Tools Bookmarks Rubrics Exemplars

 

 

This project identifies a number of options that you could use for each of the software applications identified. To learn more about the choices available to you, click on the more information link next to the name and description of the application.

 

 

Databases

 

A database is a collection of information that is orgnaized or structured in such a way that it can be used to answer questions about the information gathered. For example, a telephone/address book is a database. For each person or company in the address book the same information has been gathered: name, street address, city, province, postal code, telephone number, perhaps email or fax number, etc. In a digital telephone/address book, you can easily search the name field to find the record you are looking for and can then locate the other specific information you need (phone number or email address for example). In a similar way, data that is to be gathered for any purpose can be stored in a database so that it can be easily accessed, analyzed or retrieved.

 

For information about databases (how to plan, create and manage information in them) , student notes for databases.

 

Some recommended applications for creating databases with your students:

 

 

    • Microsoft Excel Though Excel is, in fact, the spreadsheet component of the Microsoft Office Suite, it also has the capability to act as a fully functioning basic database application. The other Microsoft database product available is called Access. This application, while an excellent database option, the learning curve is almost 90 degrees and the kind of power it possesses is generally not necessary for the kind of work we do with students in the elementary and middle school curriculum. (More information - Excel Tutorials)

 

 

    • Appleworks Spreadsheet For those of you working in the Mac environment, the "Appleworks Suite" also includes a spreadsheet component that is capable of basic spreadsheet functioning. The help menu in the spreadsheet interface contains some very good tutorial information on how to create, use and manage data using this application.

 

    • Google docs For those of you for whom Google is not blocked (and whose board permits student work to be stored off-site - not on the board's server - be sure to check your board's policy befor proceeding with plans for your project) Google docs provides an online spreadsheet, database and word processor that enables students to create these kinds of documents online. It also has the option to enable online collaboration between multiple contributors, an added bonus!

 

 

 

 

Graphic Organizers

For those who may be unfamiliar, graphic organizers are visual tools that can help solve a variety of problems and organize information in a wide range of ways: mind webs, flow charts, Venn diagrams, cause and effect maps, etc, They can be very valuable tools both in identifying and in representing relationships between ideas. Each type of diagram has specific strengths and is associated with specific purposes. For example, mind webs are often used in brainstorming to make connections between ideas that relate to each other as they come up in a brainstorming session, while Venn diagrams are often used to identify the similarities between two different concepts, etc.

 

Below is a list of links that includes:

 

    • web-sites where you will find print versions of various organizers
    • links to the homepages of software applications that create custom graphic organizers (these are applications that you need the software on your computer to use)
    • online versions of graphic organizer software that enable you to create them online without purchasing software.

 

 

Links list:

 

 

 

    • A filled in example of a cause and effect chart on the concept of the impact of removing First Nations Peoples from their native lands

 

 

    • Explore-a-tree - updated graphic organizers - provides a wide range of graphic organizers that encourage deep, critical thinking. These graphics can be created on the site and printed. They need not be stored on the site (though they can be). The site does need users to sign up, but there is no fee.

 

    • Inspiration/Kidspiration Inspiration and Kidspiration are graphic organizer applications for middle/high school and elementary school respectively. In many school divisions these applications are approved and are loaded as part of the "student image" for the computer system in each school. If you do not have them in your building, try out the 30 day free demo available at the Inspiration website. Supporting documentation, tutorials and model lessons to support the use of the software in the classroom are all excellent. The graphic organizer created can be exported as an image file to be used in other applications such as Word documents, PowerPoint presentations or videos, created as a website or converted to a written outline to assist struggling writers.

 

    • Smart Ideas Smart Ideas is one part of the software package that comes with the purchase of a Smart Board (intereative white board system). This is the component that allows the user to create flow charts, mind webs and other graphic organizers. It is quite user friendly and visually attractive. Like Inspiration/Kidspiration, the graphic organizer images that are created can be exported as an image or even converted to a written outline to assist in the writing process. The software can be downloaded for free from the Smart Technologies website at smarttech.com.

 

    • Gliffy An online graphic organizer creation application (remember to check your board's policy on off site file storage if you are thinking of using this option) that allows users to sign up for free and to create and share 5 organizers without charge. It has features similar to those of Inspiration and Smart Ideas, but lacks some of the intuitive, user-friendliness. Online help is also limited.

 

    • Intel-Seeing Reason An excellent online tool(another service that requires you to check your board's policy on off site file storage if you are thinking of using this option) with strong help support, exemplars and built in features that emphasise relationships and impacts between factors. The exemplar project for this assignment was created using this software. Click here for the tutorial on how to plan and develop a reasoning map.

 

 

 

 

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