Software for Instruction

Copyright © 2004, 2005 Herbert J. Bernstein, All Rights Reserved

• Precursors
  • Typewiters (see www.mytypewriter.com/)
  • Accounting machines (see www.columbia.edu/acis/history/tabulator.html)
  • Dedicated Word Processors
  • Needle-sort cards
  • Grading machines
  • Slide rules and calculators (see www.sphere.bc.ca/test/sruniverse.html and www.webcom.com/calc/))
  • AV equipment (see www.dickblick.com/categories/audiovisual/
    • Public Address (PA) systems
    • Slide projectors
    • Movie projectors
    • Overhead projectors
    • Opaque projectors
    • TV, VCR
• Computer-related/controlled systems have replaced most of these
• Office Software Suites (see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_software)
  • Applications commonly used to improve office productivity
    Word processors, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, database software, ...
  • Inexpensive, easy to use packages that come with many computers
  • Skill is use necessary for future careers of many students
  • Enhance productivity
  • Can weaken skills they support
• Test generators
  • Word processing
  • Randomize question order
  • Generate/randomize question content
  • On-line testing
• Handout production
• Presentation production
  • Foils and slides
    color vs. black and white
  • Movies
  • Powerpoint and web presentations
  • Dynamic, interactive presentations
  • Digital Cameras, webcams
• Data management
• Spreadsheets, databases, dedicated software
• Course management
• Laboratory automation and simulation
  • Simple probeware: http://www.concord.org/work/themes/probeware.html,
    http://www.pasco.com/pasport/home.html,
    http://www.vernier.com/,
    http://www.harris-educational.com/Probeware/
  • NIM, CAMAC, FASTBUS -- the real thing http://www-ese.fnal.gov/eseproj/btev/AlternativePackaging/DataAcquisition.html,
    http://www.ni.com/,
    http://www.iit.edu/~labview/Dummies.html
• Video conferencing
• The web
  Seamless integration of everything