Basic Software Tools A database is a collection of

information that is well-arranged

What is Software? and organized so that it can be
easily accessed, managed, and
A set of instructions that cause a updated. Databases can also be
computer to perform one or more classified according to the types of
tasks. The set of instructions is content such as bibliographic, full-
often called a program or, if the set text, numeric, images, journals,
is particularly large and complex, a book series, books, reference
system. Computers cannot do any works and the Online Archives
useful work without instructions Collection.
from software; thus a combination
of software and hardware (the
computer) is necessary to do any
computerized work. A program
must tell the computer each of a
set of minuscule tasks to perform,
in a framework of logic, such that
the computer knows exactly what
to do and when to do it.

Three types of basic software tools:

 Word processing
 Spreadsheet
 Database
Web-based software tools
Word processing
Web-based software tools are
Word processor is a tool to
applications that are accessed via
create documents, edit them and
a web browser over a network such
share it with anyone else. It is also
as the internet or intranet. The
known as keyboarding.
term may also mean a computer
software application that is hosted
Spread sheet
in a browser-controlled
A spreadsheet is a grid that
environment (e.g. a Java applet) or
organizes data into columns and
coded in a browser-supported
rows. Spreadsheets make it easy to
language (such as JavaScript,
display information, and people can
combined with a browser-
insert formulas to work with the
rendered mark up language
data. For example, there is a
like HTML) and reliant on a
particular icon that has a formula
common web browser to render
to sum up numbers that are given.
the application executable.
This icon is called auto sum.
These web-based software
Information can also be sorted and
tools can be used in education
filtered.
assessment and evaluation,
curriculum planning, and teaching
Database
education. Here are some
examples how web- based software
is used for educational purposes;
a) ClaSS is the ClaSS Student
System.
A complete student tracking,
reporting and information
management system. ClaSS
extends the reach of
traditional systems by using
the latest in web-application
methodologies to include the
whole school community.
ClaSS aims to be the
ubiquitous classroom
information assistant for
schools.
To view more about web-
based software visit;
http://www.schoolforge.net/e
ducation-software/web-based
The Learning Theories Involved
Cognitive learning theory has
always focused on how students
process information and the best
educational strategies educators
can use basic software tools such
as Word Processing, spreadsheet
and database in order to promote
student understanding. As
educators, it is up to us to vary our
teaching strategies with the
understanding that individual
students process information in
unique ways.
Existing knowledge is used to
check new knowledge, leading to
transformation of held knowledge.
Bruner called it "inquiry training".
Ausubel believed that for such new
knowledge to get into cognitive
structures, students needed
"advance
organisers" to bridge from what
they do know to what they must
know next. In other words, new
material needs describing before it
can be accepted within a lesson.
The basic software are
programmed to perform multiple
task at a time because the
interfaces of the software are made
user-friendly and easy for the users
to process information with a click
in their hand.
Basic software tools provided
the needs for the students to
enable them to become successful
in their learning. Humans have
needs, from the simplest through
to the most fulfilling (Maslow). For
example, the students can use
spreadsheet such as Microsoft
Excel to represent mental
constructions of the knowledge
that they obtained in a very
strategic way. Moreover, there are
many activities that using spread
sheet throughout the lessons.
Teachers can check out the
activities via this links:
http://www.amphi.com/~psteffen/e
xcel.html
References:
A Teacher Affects Eternity (July 13,
009)
Retrieved January 28, 2010
from
http://derrickmgreen.wordpre
ss.com/2009/0713/cognitive-
learning-theory-and-
technology/
Patsy, Lightbown M. and Nina
Spada. 1999.
How Language are Learned
(second
edition). Oxford: Oxford
University
Press.