Software Selection and File Management

This week I learned about software, which are the programs that allow a computer to operate or complete tasks. To break it down, I see the hardware of a computer as the empty (exterior) shell, and the software (interior) makes things happen or function, but you can’t touch it… if that makes any sense at all!

Anyway, there are four general types of software, including:

1. Application Software is the actual program, such as spreadsheets, databases, web browsers, and word-processing programs that perform specific tasks.
2. System Software is the computer operating system that provides the computer with general commands
3. Freeware Software is various types of software that are available online for free download.
4. Shareware Software is available online for temporary trial use before the complete version is purchased.

I also learned about the seven main types of Educational Software including drill-and-practice, problem solving, creative/critical thinking, tutorials, simulations, image editing, and draw/paint. Most importantly I learned that the focus is not the software, it is utilizing the software to reach the end goals, student learning and engagement.

File Management refers to the organization of your files and folders for retrieving purposes at a later date. Each digital file that you create has a marker that indicates to the user which program was used to create it and which programs you can use to open it. For example, PowerPoint files are. ppt. My experience in a design agency has made me very aware of the importance in organization! At any given time, I had a server of thousands of files that may need to be accessed by myself or another designer! Always title each file appropriately and specifically as well as place it in an appropriately titles folder. My Suggestion is to come up with a system!

For my Art and Drama classrooms in the Fall, I imagine that I could easily utilize Image Editing Software. I am not sure what programs we will have on the computers in the computer lab; however, I can easily find a freeware for the students to use to manipulate images. By performing a quick Google search, I located an Impressionist Tutorial to teach students how to use Photoshop Elements to edit an image digitally.

I could ask students to take a picture and convert it into multiple images illustrating a principle of impressionism (movement, surface differences, lighting). Objectives and goals could be that the students recognize and appreciate the style of impressionist art, understand the impact photography had on impressionist artists, and demonstrate how to create a piece of impressionist art in Photoshop Elements, or similar freeware. I imagine that the students would enjoy manipulating the images; however, I think, the challenge is teaching them and myself the freeware software.