Software+in+the+classroom

Definition of Software: ** “Software is a program that enables a computer to perform a specific task, as opposed to the physical components of the system (Hardware)” ( wikipedia ) Nowadays, many different types of software are being produced not only for businesses but also for educations. By using software, teachers are able to teach their classes effectively and manage them smoothly. Therefore, software becomes one of the best teaching aids for. As a result of that, while interviewing teachers, every teacher answered that the Web browser, Word, Excel and Power Point are indispensable to them. Also, these software are essential for students as well. When they write an essay, they use a Word Profeccer, and when they have a presentation, it is necessary to use Power Point. Since most of students like to use computer, other kind of educational software such as Auralia and Sketchpad make students enjoy learning about one specific subject, because software lends a different approach to teaching than more traditional methods. I interviewed the technology, math, science, social studies, choir, and Arabic teachers along with the librarian to research about what software is used in my school. ** Software used in Cairo American College: ** Helps students to search definitions, synonyms, antonyms, phonetic symbols, pronunciations, and parts of speech. Web-based tutoring sessions through the Internet. Allow student to attend live session with a tutor anytime over the Internet. Helps students to develop computer graphic techniques, engineering, and design skills.
 * Software in the Classroom
 * Educational Software ** An educational software is a software which is designed for use in the classroom. It ranges from software for pre-school to software for adults. This type of software has advanced rapidly to assist teaching or to gain some specific knowledge. Teachers often use projections onto a whiteboaed to enlarge the given material in the lesson, or students use the software available on their own computers.
 * Social and Ethical Issues **
 * //Reliability://** We tend to believe that all software is reliable, but that is not true. Sometimes people make fake software to earn money illegally. Also, software is something you need to update continuously, so you have to be aware that information in the software may be changed as time goes by. Educational software needs to be reliable, because this is what teachers use to teach and students learn from.
 * //Security://** Downloading software may cause your computer to be infected by computer viruses. So the protection of security of software is necessary to use it safely.
 * //Intellectual property://** One of the aims of software is to be widespread, but sometimes it has an opposite result to what was intended. It may easy to duplicate or make similar software and infringe copyrights or registered trademarks. This is especially common in developing countries.
 * //Equality of access://** Some software is free, but most costs money. This may widen the equality of access because some people cannot afford enough money to buy software which leads them to the need to buy hardware. Also, not a lot of software is made for disabled people. (See [|Modify software])
 * //Globalization and cultural diversity://** Since most of web pages are written in English, most of software is made for English speakers. So if there is good educational software, not every school can use it unless English is their language of instruction. There are a lot of language-art softwares to help students to learn other languages such as English, French, Arabic, Spanish, and Chinese, but these are all major languages and made for English speakers. So it is hard for non- English speakers to learn these anyways.
 * ~ **Software** ||~ **Examples** ||~ **Description** ||
 * Web Browser || InternetExplorer, Safari) || The most basic software to search website. Useful for both teachers and students. ||
 * Word Profeccer || Microsoft Word || Create documents. Students mainly use to write an essay. ||
 * PowerPoint || Microsoft Power Poin || Create presentations and slide shows. ||
 * Excel Profeccer || Microsoft Excel || Create spreadsheets and charts. ||
 * Photo Editer || Photoshop || Retouch images or make animations. ||
 * File Viewing/Editing || Adobe Acrobatic Reader || View PDF documents, and make use of the Toolbar, Bookmark, Thumbnail and so on. ||
 * Audio/Video Software || QuickTime Real Player || Download and play music and movie. ||
 * Wiki || Wiki || Create editable web pages. Useful for teachers. ||
 * Music Tutoring || Auralia || The music software used for aural training for students. ||
 * Arabic Reader || Arabic Enable || Install Arabic written documents and web pages. ||
 * Library Software || Winnebago Spectrum || Search books, operate circulation system, etc.. Useful for both librarians and students. ||
 * Mathmatic Software || Sketch Pad || Geometric drill for students. ||
 * Graphing Software || Graphing Calculator || Draw graphs, and calculate equations. ||
 * Lab Simulation || Lab simulation || Simulate science lab. ||
 * Forensics Software || Face Identification || Recognize faces along with images. ||
 * Test Creation Software || Test Creation || Help teachers to make a test. ||
 * Personal Information Manager || Microsoft Entourage || Handle personal information easily. e.g. personal e-mail messages and schedules. ||
 * Visual Learning Software || Inspiration || Visualize data to solve problems and build data analysis skills. ||
 * Other Useful Educational Software **
 * Dictionary Software:
 * Online Classroom Software "homeworkhelp":
 * CAD Software: