THE SOFTWARE AS

AN EDUCATIONAL
RESOURCE

Whenever people think about computer,

they are most likely thinking about the
computer machine such as the televisionlike monitor screen, the keyboard to type
on, the printer which produces copies of
text- and- graphics material, and the
computer housing called the box which
contains the electronic parts and circuits
(the central processing unit) that
receives/stores data and directs computer
operations. The computer machine or
hardware is naturally an attention- getter.

There are two kinds of software:

1. The system software
This is the operating system that is found
or bundled inside all computer machine.

Its more difficult to realize, however, that

the computer hardware can hardly be
useful without the program or system
that tells what the computer machine
should do. This is also called the software.

2.The applications software

This contains the system that commands the
particular task or solves a particular problem.

The software may be:

a) A custom software that is made for specific
tasks often by large corporations.

B.) A commercial software

packaged for personal
computers that helps with a
variety of tasks

Microsoft Windows
Also referred to as a program,
Microsoft Windows or Windows for
short is an operating environment
between the user and the
computer operating system.

Also called a shell, it is a layer that

creates the way the computer should work.
Windows uses a colorful graphics interface
(called GUI-pronounced gooee) that can
be seen on the computer screen monitor
whenever the computer is turned on.
The user can work on screen pictures
(icons) and suggestions (menus) to arrive at
the desired software. Windows 95 (now
improved with Windows 2003 and 2007) is a
software designed for Microsoft Windows.

Windows is in itself a self-

contained operating system which

provides:
User convenience-just click a file
name to retrieve data or click from
program to program as easy as
changing channels in your TV
screen.
A new look-fancy borders, smooth
and streamlined text fonts

Information center- Windows puts

all communication activities ;
adapts/configures the computer for
the internet
Plug and play- configures the
computer with added components,
such as for sound and video.

Instructional Software
This can be visited on the internet or
can be bought from software shops or
dealers. The teacher through his school
should decide on the best computerbased instructional (CBI) materials for the
school resource collection. But beware
since CBIs needs much improvement,
while web-based educational resources
are either extremely good or what is
complete garbage.

In evaluating computer-based materials, the

following can serve as guidelines:
Be extremely cautious in using CBIs and free
internet materials
Dont be caught up by attractive graphics,
sound, animations, pictures, video clips and
music forgetting their instructional worth
Teachers must evaluate this resources using
sound pedagogical principles

Among design and content elements to evaluate

are:
oThe text legibility
oEffective use of color schemes
oAttractive layout and design
oEasy navigation from section to section
Accuracy, coherence, logic of information
Clarity in the explanations and illustrations of
concepts and principles

Their being current since

data/statistics continually
change
Relevance/effectiveness in
attaining learning objectives
Absence of biased materialsa

U N D E R S TA N D I N G H Y P E R M E D I A
Hypermedia is nothing but multimedia, but this
time packaged as an educational computer software
where information is presented and student activities
are integrated in a virtual learning environment.

Most educational IT applications are hypermedia

and these includes:
Tutorial software packages
Knowledge webpages
Simulation instructional games
Learning project management, and others

The presentation of information

learning activities in hypermedia is said to
be sequenced in a non-linear manner,
meaning that the learner may follow his
path of activities thus providing an
environment of learner autonomy and
thinking skills. This fact makes it therefore
important to understand hypermedia in
the educational context in order to ensure
their successful integration in the
teaching-learning process.

Characteristics of
Hypermedia Applications
1.

Learner control
This means the learner makes his own decisions on
the path.
2. Learner wide range of navigation routes
The learner controls the sequence and pace of his
path depending on his ability and motivation.

Variety of Media
Hypermedia includes more than one
media but does not necessarily use all
types of media in one presentation. Since
only virtual activity takes place, it is
important from the standpoint of the
teacher to optimize the learning process
by identifying the characteristics of media
application, as well as the advantages and
limitations of such an application .

In the use of hypermedia the following

instructional events will prove useful to the teacher:
Get the learners attention
Recall prior learning
Inform learners of lesson objectives
Introduce the software and its distinctive features
Guide learning, eliciting performance
Provide learning feedback
Assess performance
Enhance retention and learning transfer

The End !!!

Thank you for Listening!!
Prepared by :
Group 6
Baba, Ril Rose Ann M.

Magallanes, Judy Ann R.

Ombajin, Michael O.