software+in+the+classroom

Software in the classroom Tjeripo Tjiramba

Teachers can use classroom-management tools for a variety of tasks, including grade keeping, lesson planning, and attendance taking. Most of the programs in this category are fairly new, however, and none received more than a single recommendation. Excel, probably because it's available free with Microsoft Office, appeared to be the most widely used program.

"We use ClarisWorks for teacher-created grade books and templates for lesson plans," Libby Adams told Education World.

"Teachers are able to personalize their lesson plan formats, and we have found this to be more successful then other software packages for classroom management."

SOFTWARE SPECIFICS Name: ClarisWorks Manufacturer: Apple Computer Available Platforms: Macintosh Approximate Price: No longer available new Grade Level: 9-12, adult

Name: Excel Manufacturer: Microsoft Available Platforms: Windows, Macintosh Approximate Price: New user, $339.00; upgrade price, $109.00 Grade Level: 9-12, adult

Name: Grade keeper Manufacturer: Grade keeper Available Platforms: Macintosh, Windows Approximate Price: $20.00 Grade Level: adult

Name: Grade Quick Manufacturer: Jackson Software Available Platforms: Windows, Macintosh Approximate Price: $69.95 Grade Level: adult

Name: Think wave Manufacturer: Available Platforms: Windows Approximate Price: $79.95 Grade Level: adult

Another software that is used in classroom is called SMART Sync 2009 This software: Helps students stay on track. Lock student screens and restrict or block access to the Internet, games and applications, including instant messaging, e-mail or other computer programs. Monitor student activity with ease. Observe all student computer screens without leaving your desk. You can view the screens as thumbnail or full-sized images on your desktop. Give students direct support. Encourage your students to send you questions through the software’s chat menu. You can also take control of their computers to guide them through a task or problem. Broadcast to multiple screens Share your desktop with every student in the room. Demonstrate a concept, view a webpage or play a video that all students can see on their computer screens. And there are more than these few examples that the SMART Sync can do the classroom.

All these software programs have done a lot for school classrooms and helped the teachers a lot of these teachers find it easy to us and the students have a good time working with them and they say it helps them learn better and is fun to work with in class.