Q: How can productivity software be used for teaching and learning?
A: Word processing software can be used to provide students with instant feedback on their writing. For example, Microsoft Word underlines misspelled words and incomplete sentences. Word processing software also allows both teachers and students to produce documents more quickly. Spreadsheets can be used to quickly create charts and perform functions. Online databases can be used by teachers electronically manage and access student information. This allows for teachers to have much more storage space in the classroom.
Word processing software is great. I do all of my writing through Word. I like to write on paper using a pencil; but when it comes to writing long papers, it is great that word processing software is available.
ReplyDeleteOne concern I have about word processing programs is that they do underline misspelled words and sentence fragments for the user. In many ways it reduces the amount of errors that would be caught during proofreading. In some ways I feel that this advantage is sort of a disadvantage because we are not able to identify misspelled words and when we are handwriting information we often times find words more difficult to spell because we do not have a computer telling us when we spell a word incorrectly. That being said, I do use Micorsoft Word for almost everything, and I always appreciate when it tells me that I misspelled a word, but that is how I realize that when I am writing something by hand I have to take a second look at certain words to be sure I spelled them correctly!
ReplyDeleteMy teenage son uses his word processor to learn to spell words correctly. If he is typing a paper and asks me how to spell a word, I tell him to try to spell it and see if the word processor spell checker shows him the correct way. I say that more than look it up in the dictionary.
ReplyDeleteSpreadsheets are a great way to organize information. Many teachers now have their grade books in the form of a spreadsheet!
ReplyDeleteI still have to use spell check and grammar check through Microsoft Word. I would be no where without it.
ReplyDeleteThe word processing tools are great for students (and adults). It checks for misspelled words and alternative words can be found in the thesarus.
ReplyDeleteInstant feedback is such a great thing to have not only for the students but also for teachers as well, it helps to eliminate a lot of paper as well!
ReplyDeleteWord processing is great when not abused. I walked into a fourth grade classroom and I must say the handwriting is not as neat as it use to be. When I was a kid if the teacher couldn't read it - it went into the garbage can. Today some students use the computer far too much and the handwriting is bad! Spell check has made some students lazy - and they do not know how to look words up. Use word processing at a young age with caution.
ReplyDeleteCindy