Teachers Network
Translate Translate English to Chinese Translate English to French
  Translate English to German Translate English to Italian Translate English to Japan
  Translate English to Korean Russian Translate English to Spanish
Lesson Plan Search
Our Lesson Plans
TeachNet Curriculum Units
Classroom Specials
Popular Teacher Designed Activities
TeachNet NYC Directory of Lesson Plans TeachNet NYC Dirctory of Lesson Plans

VIDEOS FOR TEACHERS
RESOURCES
Teachers Network Leadership Institute
How-To Articles
Videos About Teaching
Effective Teachers Website
Lesson Plans
TeachNet Curriculum Units
Classroom Specials
Teacher Research
For NYC Teachers
For New Teachers
HOW-TO ARTICLES
TEACHER RESEARCH
LINKS

GRANT WINNERS
TeachNet Grant:
Lesson Plans
2010
TeachNet Grant Winners
2009
TeachNet Grant Winners
Adaptor Grant Winners
2008
TeachNet Grant Winners
Adaptor Grant Winners
2007
TeachNet Grant Winners
Adaptor Grant Winners
Other Grant Winners
Power-to-Learn
Math and Science Learning
Ready-Set-Tech
Impact II
Grant Resources
Grant How-To's
Free Resources for Teachers
ABOUT
Our Mission
Funders
   Pacesetters
   Benefactors
   Donors
   Sponsors
   Contributors
   Friends
Press
   Articles
   Press Releases
Awards
   Cine
   Silver Reel
   2002 Educational Publishers Award

Sitemap

Technology and the New Teacher: Software

About this Daily Classroom Special
Technology and the New Teacher is designed to introduce you to the topics, successes, and pitfalls of technology in the classroom. It was written by Buzz Eyler, a Teachers Network web mentor who has been leading in-service training in technology use for the past 12 years. 

(Note: This page was written in 1999. Some information may be dated.)

Software

If you have been around schools for any time or if you have purchased computer equipment, you undoubtedly have received or seen countless catalogues offering educational software. How do you know what is good and what is junk?

First, if your district has installed a local area network (LAN) at your school, there are programs on it that they expect you to use. You should be provided training and given support in your efforts to integrate these into your curriculum. Remember, as I have said many times already, if the computer is used as a textbook page, it is a waste of everyone's time.

Which brings me to my second point: purchase software which is open-ended, teacher/student adjustable (meaning it has levels which can be set) and that meets a specific need for your classroom. There are many programs that look "flashy," but do nothing to further your children's understanding of the concepts being taught.

Third, there are two types of software: teacher productivity and student centered. Teacher productivity includes grade keeping, desktop publishing, banner making and general record keeping to name a few. Student centered include simulations, report writing, typing instruction and electronic encyclopedias as examples.

If your district allows you to purchase and place on your machines personal software, make sure your hardware can handle it. Do you have enough memory? Does it need sound? Does it require a CD played or is it disk based?

The temptation when you purchase software, is to place it on all the machines in your room. Don't do it! When you buy a piece of software, you are allowed to put it on one machine and make a backup copy. If it goes on more machines, you are violating the copyright laws for software use. If you or your district intends to use multiple copies, a site license is required. This is a document you purchase from the software manufacturer which is an agreement to place the software on a specified number of computers at your school. Prices vary, so shop the catalogues.

Finally, I want you to know I have no interest in any software company and so any recommendations I make would be purely as a teacher who has used a piece of software and found it meets the criteria stated above.  

Introduction
Basics
Advanced Topics
Curriculum Development
E-mail
Graphics
Internet
LAN/WANs
Mac vs IBM
Printers & Copiers
Software
Students
TV/VCR
Word Processing

 

Come across an outdated link?
Please visit The Wayback Machine to find what you are looking for.

 

Journey Back to the Great Before