The Software as an Educational Resource

It's more difficult to realize, however, that the computer hardware can hardly be useful without the program or system that tells what the computer machine should do. This is also called the software.

There are two kinds of software:

1. The system software- This is the operating system that is found or bundled inside all computer machines.

2. The application software- this contains the system that commands the particular task or solves a particular problem.

In turn the applications software may be:

(a) a custom software that is made for specific tasks often by large corporations, or

(b) a commercial software packaged for personal computers that helps with the variety of tasks such as writing papers, calculating numbers, drawing graphs, playing games, and so much more.

Microsoft Windows

Also referred to as a program, Microsoft Windows or Windows for short is an operating environment between the user and the computer operating system. Also called a shell, it is a layer that creates the way the computer should work. Windows uses a colorful graphics interface that can be seen on the computer screen or monitor whenever the computer is turned on.

The user can work with on-screen pictures (icons) and suggestions (menus) to arrived at a desired software. Windows 95 (now improved with windows 2003 and 2007) is a software designed for Microsoft Windows. Actually, Windows is in itself a self-contained operating system which provides

• User Convenience- just click a file name to retrieve data or click from program to program as easy as changing channels in your TV screen
• A New Look- fancy borders, smooth and streamlined text fonts
• Information Center- Windows puts all communications activities (e-mail, downloads etc. in a single screen icon); adapts/configures the computer for the internet.
• Plug and Play- configures the computer with added components, such as for sound and video.

Instructional Software

Instructional software can be visited on the internet or can be bought from software shops or dealers. The teacher through his school should decide on the best computer-based instructional (CBI) materials for the school resource collection. but beware since CBI's need much improvement, while web-based educational resources are either extremely good or what is complete garbage. In evaluating computer based educational materials, the following can serve as guidelines:

• Be extremely cautious in using CBI's and 'free' internet materials
• Don't be caught up by attractive graphics, sound, animation, pictures, video clips and music forgetting their instructional worth
• Teachers must evaluate these resources using sound pedagogical principles
• Among design and content elements to evaluate are: the text legibility, effective use of color schemes, attractive layout and design, and easy navigation from section-to-section (such as from game to tutorial to drill-and-practice section)
• Clarity in the explanations and illustrations of concepts and principles
• Accuracy, coherence, logic of information
• Their being current since data/statistics continually change 
• relevance/effectiveness in attaining learning objectives
• Absence of biased materials (e.g. gender bias or racial bias)

ISSUE

Do you consider all the information on the web (articles or blog) are credible and acceptable?

We are now on the information highway. Single click on the web and all the information that we needed will appear. That's the convenience of having the internet and world wide web. You don't need to perspire and sacrifice your effort and time just to go to the library. But the question is, does all the information that we get from the internet are true, credible and acceptable? In my opinion, not all. Because anyone can post a blog or article on the web even if that person is not expert on that topic. Example, a scientist can post a blog or article about language on the web even if that person is not a linguist. So how credible all the information in that blog or article for us to be accepted? For me it's not one hundred percent acceptable because he/she is not expert on that discipline.

In that case, if we want to research about any information about a particular topic and we want it credible, it is better for us that we go to library. Because all the authors of the books are credible and they are expert on the discipline that they chose. But still, it is very helpful for us that we get vast and numerous information and ideas coming from the internet.