Core Topic: Software

Core Topic: Software

In regards to the Core Topic of Software, students need to know about 3 types of software and differentiate between them. Some of the content that is covered is summarised below:

Commonly application software is a good starting point, generally most students should be aware and be exposed to it. Additionally student's learning can be influenced initially with what software they have available. This may be dependent on

Application software includes word processors, graphic editing software and web browsers. Communication software (such as Skype or MSN) and business software (for looking after inventories for instance).

Supporting programs, the ones we don't particularly like to or need to see include:

Operating systems and utility programs, which assist all the other programs which run within the system.

Like application software, interfaces vary too:

• Command Line Interface - the old way of computing which requires a specialist knowledge for operation.
• Graphical User Interface - development being influenced by the brand of computer you use.
• Natural Language Interface - a new and challenging technology which is emerging. This potentially could dramatically change the GUI environment that we as teachers are used to. 

Teaching students about Software

A great deal of software can be used to support and aid student learning. It is important to remember that students aren't experts, but potentially they could be later on in life going on to specialise in a particular field. What is presented in IST is merely an introduction to a huge world of computing. 

Simple programs that form the bread and butter of what IST is about need to be used before jumping into deeper and more challenging content. Although this is the essence of what we start with as teachers in this area, it is very important that students are challenged and learn new things, there are risks with staying with easy content. 

As previously mentioned the IST program contains many different concepts, it is dangerous as a teacher to focus on learning the individual programs and not teach the concepts (Cameron, 2012). Leanne, presented the website Wix.com as a simple web design tool which could be used to teach the very basics of designing a web site, contrary to using a HTML program such as Dreamweaver. 

Another example of a useful resource is Googlesites:

Google. (2012). [Image]. Available from http://www.crunchbase.com/assets/images/original/0001/3969/13969v1.jpg

Finding a midway for teaching software?

For us as prospective teachers it is important to consider how much of our class time we should devote to conceptual understanding as opposed to teaching an individual program. On attending the Staff Development  Day at my prac school yesterday some of the workshops focused around using specific software. Reflecting on this, it is a risk to teach teachers how to use a specific program in depth without making sure they understand where it fits in, just like the way we educate our students. The risk of being attached to anyone software, such as Microsoft products, is that things change and software brands differ. 

This ironic video portrays the changing nature of computing, and technology in general. A comparison can be drawn with software:

Youtube. (2010). [Video] Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAG39jKi0lI