UNIT 3
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE
APPLICATIONS/TOOLS
FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
Lesson 1: Technology Tools for Teaching and Learning
Lesson 2: Mobile Technology for Teachers
Lesson 3: Podcasting in Teaching and Learning
LESSON 1
Technology Tools for
Teaching and Learning
Productivity Tools and their Uses in Teaching and Learning
Productivity software is designed to help teachers and students for
producing information such as documents, presentations, worksheets,
databases, charts, graphs, digital paintings, electronic music, and digital
video. Popular examples of productivity software include word processing
programs, graphic design programs, presentation software and spreadsheet
software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Docs.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that are
designed specifically to be used for the office. It is a proprietary product of
Microsoft Corporation and was first released in 1990. Microsoft Office is
available in 35 different languages and is supported by Windows, Mac and
most Linux variants. It mainly consists of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access,
OneNote, Outlook and Publisher applications.
Microsoft Office Applications
1. Microsoft Word: for creating text documents.
2. Microsoft Excel: Creates simple to complex data/numerical spreadsheets.
3. Microsoft PowerPoint: Stand-alone application for creating professional
multimedia presentations.
4. Microsoft Access: Database management application.
5. Microsoft Publisher: Introductory application for creating and publishing
marketing materials.
6. Microsoft OneNote: Alternate to a paper notebook, it enables users to
neatly organize their notes.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is an application tool for creating different types of
documents that are used in the work and school environment. Teachers and
students used word processing software in creating letters, memoranda,
reports, newsletters, cover letters, research, lesson plans, handouts, flyers
and many others.
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application tool that allows you to store,
organize, and analyze information. It is normally used by teachers and
students for grade computation, answer mathematical problems, and
computations of expenses. The user interface of Microsoft Excel is similar to
Word.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation is an application designed to
communicate and display information. It makes it easy for teachers and
students to create, collaborate, and present ideas in dynamic, visually
compelling ways. PowerPoint is usually used in schools during lectures,
reports, animations, kiosks, and interactive games.
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Google Docs is a Web-based document management application for creating
and editing private and public, word processing and spreadsheet documents.
These documents can be stored both online on the Google cloud and/or on
the user's computer. Access to these files is available from any computer
with an Internet connection and a fully-featured Web browser like Chrome,
Firefox, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Safari. In using Google Docs, you
should have a Google account (e.g. username@gmail.com)
Microsoft Publisher
Publisher is Microsoft's entry-level desktop publishing program. It is used
primarily for page layouts and designs, such as brochures, labels, greeting
cards, certificates, invitations, and flyers. Although Publisher can be used by
anyone, it was created for the small business user in mind as a basic, easier-
to- use alternative to the more expensive Adobe graphics program.
LESSON 2
Mobile Technology for
Teachers
Smart Ways to use Smart phones and
Tablets in Class
Smart phones and tablets offer endless
possibilities for higher engagement, enhancement
of student understanding and extension of
learning beyond the classroom. It also provides
an easy way for teachers to “facilitate and inspire
student learning and creativity”
Smart Ways to use Smart phones and
Tablets in Class
I. Use to create videos
1. Filmora Go 6. KineMaster
2. Magisto Video Editor 7. Videoshop
3. Splice Video Editor and
8. iMovie (iOS only)
Maker 9. YouCut
4. VivaVideo 10. Adobe Premiere Rush
5. Power Director
Smart Ways to use Smart phones and
Tablets in Class
II. Use of smartphones as an e-book
III. Use of smartphones to access the Internet
IV. Use of smartphones to communicate/collaborate
V. Use of Smartphones as QR code scanner
VI. Use of smartphones as a portal to virtual
classroom
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
1. AppCrawler – AppCrawler uses a new method
to combine advanced data mining and statistical
modelling technologies to provide users with the
most relevant and trusted recommendations for
searching and discovering apps.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
2. Apps Gone Free – This is a great iPad app
that allows you to search for authored,
handpicked recommendations. Apps Gone Free
offers expert-picked top-ranked apps, for free
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
3. Google Text-to-Speech - Google Text-to-speech powers
applications to read the text on your screen aloud.
4. Easy Text Speech - automatically speaks the Clipboard,
Shared Links and Web Pages. Copy text from any Android
application or web browser and hear it instantly spoken back to
you.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
5. Voice Dream Reader – This is an accessible reading
tool for mobile and tablet devices. With advanced text-to-
speech and a highly configurable screen layout, it can be
tailored to suit every reading style from completely
auditory to completely visual, plus synchronized
combination of both.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
6. Educreations – Educreations is a unique interactive whiteboard
and screen casting tool that’s simple, powerful, and fun to use.
Annotate, animate, and narrate nearly any type of content as you
explain any concept. Teachers can create short instructional videos
and share them instantly with students, or ask students to show what
they know and help friends learn something new.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
7. Explain EDU – Explain EDU is a version of our whiteboard for iPad
and iPhone where creations are saved locally on the device. It does not
include dedicated cloud storage or online collaboration.
8. Haiku Deck – Whether you’re pitching an idea, teaching a lesson,
telling a story, or igniting a movement, use Haiku Deck to create beautiful
presentations that wow your audience.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
9. Grafio 4 Diagram Maker – Grafio is not a tool for
professionals only. Its low learning curve allows everyone to
convey their ideas visually and with ease. Hundreds of
thousands use Grafio worldwide, due to its simplicity and
affordability.
10. Notability- powerful, yet wonderfully simple note-taking
and PDF annotation.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
11. Popplet – Popplet is the simplest tool to capture and
organize your ideas. With Popplet you can quickly jot down
your ideas and sort them visually.
12. Showbie- app for assignments and feedback
13. Stop Motion Studio – lets you create beautiful animated
movies
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
14. ClassDojo- a beautiful, safe, and simple communication app for
teachers, parents, and students.
15. Microsoft Math Solver -draw or scan math problems to get
steps, videos, practice problems and more.
16. Seesaw Class – is a student-driven digital portfolio.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
17. Schoology-Manage your classroom, create and
submit assignments, participate in interactive
discussions, perform assessments, and collaborate with
your peers.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
18. iTunes U-iTunes U provides everything the needs of the
teachers and students to bring the classroom together on iOS
devices-like other application it will also build lessons with
apps and your own instructional materials, accept submission
and grade assignments, and provide feedback of students”
submission
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
19. Edmodo – it gives teachers the tools to share engaging
lessons like other online classroom (schoology, keep
parents updated, and build a vibrant classroom community.
20. Google Slides Create- edit and collaborate with others
on presentations from your Android phone or tablet.
Technology Tools for Teachers
- Educational Apps
21. Mind Map & Concept Map Maker – It provides
mind mapping and concept mapping that will unleash the
power of your ideas.
22. E-book Reader & Free ePub Books manage and can
open all the eBooks on your phone.
Assessment Tool
- primarily designed to help educators to identify the strengths
and weaknesses of Learners’ literacy and numeracy skills. This
will help educators develop programs for learners that match
their needs and strengthen their literacy and numeracy skills.
The Assessment Tool will also allow learners to track their
progress over time and enable educators and organizations to
report on the progress made by groups of learners.
Formative Assessment Tool
Formative assessment tools can be a part of
every teacher’s toolbox. They needn’t be
complicated or time-consuming. There are,
however, a few things that are crucial to their
effectiveness.
Formative Assessment Tool
Great formative assessment should have the
following facts:
It should be goal-oriented. It is derived from what
we do every day. It is directed at guiding students
towards performing well. It should be specific,
observable, and measurable.
Formative Assessment Tool
It must focus on higher-order thinking skills. We’re not talking
about just the nuts and bolts. We want to know if they are applying,
analyzing, evaluating, and creating.
It should hold students accountable for individual performance.
Group assessment is useful in itself. Also, pinpointing the exact
needs of the individual will give you direction to steer your
instruction. This sets the students up for success.
Formative Assessment Tool
It should be seamless. Don’t change your routine to fit the
test. Some formative assessments have a steep learning
curve. Others are easy to grasp even with the most limited
experience. You might need to build your formative
assessment into your lesson. Some of it can be improvised,
and some will need to be planned.
Gaming in Education
Benefits of gaming in education (https://tinyurl.com/y9kmvekc)
1. Gaming improves digital literacy and technical skills-through
gaming, players are getting accustomed with the technology. Thus,
students who enjoy gaming are unfazed to learn new technologies,
and will be able to find solutions to any problems.
.
Gaming in Education
Benefits of gaming in education (https://tinyurl.com/y9kmvekc)
2. Gaming improves problem-solving, critical thinking skills, and
creativity- you cannot go to the next level if you will not make smart
decisions. To advance in a game, you must be able to resort to logic,
strategic-thinking, and quick problem-solving. The sooner you react
with a smart solution, the better you position yourself in the game .
Gaming in Education
Benefits of gaming in education (https://tinyurl.com/y9kmvekc)
3. Gaming improves attention and memory capacity- based on several
researches, game-based learning and educational video games allow players to
concentrate easily and focus in a way that is almost impossible in a traditional
class environment.
Gaming in Education
Benefits of gaming in education (https://tinyurl.com/y9kmvekc)
4. Gaming develop soft skills- based on research gaming is a social activity that
promotes soft skills such as communication, team collaboration, and leadership.
Many educational and non-educational games are centered on team building,
thus stimulating students to play together. In multiplayer games, players must
work together to achieve the objectives of the games, thus it will lead them to
develop close relationships to each other
Tools for Creating
Educational Games
1. Make It-Create and share educational games, quizzes, activities and
stories (for Android users)
2. Minecraft: Education (https://education.minecraft.net/) A game-based
learning platform that promotes creativity, collaboration, and problem-
solving in an immersive digital environment.
3. Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/) - With Scratch, you can program your
own interactive stories, games, and animations.
Tools for Creating
Educational Games
4. Puzzlemaker (http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/)Puzzlemaker
is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and
print customized word search, crisscross, math puzzles, and more using
your own word lists.
5. PurposeGames – (https://www.purposegames.com/) Lets you create and
play games. Students, teachers and rock stars alike all come here to create
and learn.
Tools for Creating
Educational Games
6. Gamestar Mechanic (http://gamestarmechanic.com/) uses fun, game-
based quests and courses to help you learn game design and make your own
video games!
7. JeopardyLabs (https://jeopardylabs.com/) Allows you to create a
customized jeopardy template without PowerPoint. The games you make
can be played online from anywhere in the world.
Tools for Creating
Educational Games
8. ProProfs (http://www.proprofs.com/games/) Create or play exciting
online puzzles and mind games. You can also share it on social networks.
9. Sploder-(http://www.sploder.com/) Makes it super easy for you to make
your own free games online. Make your own arcade games, platformer
games, spaceship shooters, or space adventure games.
Tools for Creating
Educational Games
10. Triventy (http://www.triventy.com/) is a game-based learning platform
that enables you to author, run and host quizzes and surveys in your
classroom. Your students will participate in the quiz using their
smartphones without any prior installation while you run on a large screen,
just like you would run a presentation.
11. Gimkit-(https://www.gimkit.com/) is a classroom game-show platform
where students compete by answering questions on their electronic devices..
Tools for Creating
Educational Games
12. Quizalize (https://www.quizalize.com/) is a classroom quiz-game website
where you can create quizzes with multiple- or two-choice question sets or
single-word responses presented as word scrambles.
13. Kahoot! (https://kahoot.com/) A game-like student-response tool that
can spark competitive fun.
Tools for Creating
Educational Games
14. Super Teacher Tools (https://www.superteachertools.us/) is a website
where you can create Jeopardy-style review game, Multiplayer Rocket
Review Game, Speed Match, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game.
15. Microsoft PowerPoint – can create a jeopardy game, Q & A games, and
many more. This is an alternative tool for creating an offline game.
Serious Thinking
Task 1:
1. Make a QR code that plays your voice.
A. Record your voice using your smartphone.
B. Upload the file to Google Drive.
C. Copy the shareable link.
D. Paste in the QR code generator.
E. Save or download the generated QR code.
Serious Thinking
. Creating an online class
a. Visit https://classroom.google.com/
b. Log in using your Google Account.
c. Click the plus sign icon to create a class.
D. Follow instructions.
E. You can also take a picture of the QR code below for detailed
instructions.
Serious Thinking
. Creating Jeopardy Game using Microsoft
LESSON 3
Podcasting in Teaching
and Learning
PODCASTING
- a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available
on the internet for downloading to a personal audio player. ( New Oxford
American Dictionary )
- Podcasting offers the opportunity for teachers to broadcast engaging audio
content, which students can then listen to at anytime, anywhere. Student only
needs to subscribe to a podcast feed and suddenly you can push educational
content to them, rather than wait for them to come. Podcast is a very good
technology tool that can be used in schools to engage students and to improve
teaching and learning.
REASONS TO USE PODCAST IN SCHOOL
Podcasts are great alternatives for delivering research content or lessons to
students who need remedial or extended support.
Students can create their own podcast to share their learning experiences
with each other and also with other students from other schools.
Teachers can record audio podcast to provide additional and revision material to
students to download and review at a time that fits them the best.
REASONS TO USE PODCAST IN SCHOOL
Podcasts can hugely benefit auditory learners and help them in their
learning.
Creating podcasts allows students to develop several important skills such as
researching, writing, speaking effectively, solving problems, managing time,
grabbing attention and improving their vocabulary.
STEPS IN CREATING A PODCAST
Recording - for this you will need a microphone and audio recording
software. You can also use your smartphone in starting a podcast.
Test your Podcast - Always make sure you listen to your podcasts and redo
the parts that you don't like until you finally get the version you want then
move on to the next step.
STEPS IN CREATING A PODCAST
Publish your podcast - You can use online platforms for publishing your
podcasts. If you have a blog for your class you can publish it there. You can
also submit it to the public podcast directory services such as iTunes Music
Store, Podcast.net, OurMedia.org, Podcast Alley, or Podcast Pickle.
Promote/publicize your podcast - This can be done through providing the
podcast link (URL of the page where it is hosted) or through creating an
RSS Feed document which will let users subscribe to your podcast.
TOOLS TO CREATE PODCAST
1. AUDICITY
Audacity is a free and open-source audio editor. It is available for
both Windows, Mac, GNU/Linux and other operating systems.
TOOLS TO CREATE PODCAST
2. GARAGE BAND
GarageBand pre-installed on most Apple computers. If you don't
have it, you can easily download it for free. We think GarageBand is
a more intuitive interface than Audacity. There are versions for
macOS and iOS, but it is not available on Windows computers or
Android phones.
ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO
A collection of students’ work that can advance learning by
providing a way for them to organize, archive, and display
work. The electronic format allows an instructor or teacher
to evaluate student portfolios thru the internet, or website.
HOW TO CREATE AN E-PORTFOLIO?
There are many ways to create an e-portfolio, the popular
hosting sites are WordPress, Weebly, Wix, and Google Sites.
STEPS IN CREATING E-PORTFOLIO
2. Sign in using your
Google account (Gmail).
1. Open the google
chrome browser.
3. In the address bar type,
site.google/new
4. Select template
(portfolio).
5. Since it’s a template you don’t have to worry about the
design or layout of your site. All you have to do is to write
something about the site, upload pictures, video, and files.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES IN EDUCATION
Social networking refers to using internet-based social
media sites to stay connected with friends, family,
colleagues, or customers. Social networking can have a
social purpose, a business purpose, or both through
sites like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and
Pinterest.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
Facebook: This is easily the largest social networking site in the world
and one of the most widely used.
Whatsapp: It arrived on the scene much later than facebook, but has been able
to capture the imagination of millions of people across the world by giving them
the ability to communicate and share instantly with individuals and groups of
people.
Tencent QQ: It can be used to stay in touch through texts, video calls, and
voice chats. It even has a built-in translator to translate your chats.
WeChat: This is an all-in-one communications app for messaging and
calling that enables you to connect with the people of your choice.
QZone: Social Networking service developed by tencent. It enables you
to share photos, watch videos, listen to songs, write blogs, maintain
diaries and so on.
Tumblr: Serve as a social media microblogging platform that can be used to
find and follow things you like.
Instagram: It was launched as a unique social networking platform that was
completely based on sharing photos and videos.
SKYPE: It is owned by Microsoft, and is one of the most popular
communication-based social networking platforms.
VIBER: It offers you the ability to call non-Viber users through a feature
named Viber Out.
Flickr: This is another highly popular photo-sharing website.
Sina Weibo: This is a highly popular microblogging social platform in China
that is known for its hybrid mix of Twitter's and Facebook's features.
LINE: It is a globally available messaging social network that enables you to
share photos, videos, text messages and even audio messages or files.
Snapchat: This is an image messaging social platform that enables you to
chat with friends by using pictures.
Pinterest: This is a photo sharing and visual bookmarking social media site
or app that enables you to find new ideas for your projects and save them.
Linkedin: It is easily one of the most popular professional social networking
sites or apps and is available in over 20 languages.
Telegram: This instant messaging network is similar to WhatsApp and is
available across platforms in more than eight languages.
Reddit: This social media platform enables you to submit content and later
vote for the content.
Tagged: This is a great social media site based on friendship and dating and,
in 2011, it acquired another social networking platform called hi5.
Myspace: This is a music-focused social networking site and provides an
interactive and user-submitted network of friends.
The Dots: It is a networking platform that helps everyone involved in the
creative process connect, collaborate, and commercialize, helping build a
stronger, more profitable and diverse creative sector.
Delicious: It is known for being the leading social bookmarking service.
Snapfish: It is a web-based photo sharing social networking site that offers
unlimited storage to its members for uploading photos.
