We discuss many types of educational software in class this week from broad categories to specific titles (see PDF files before doing this blog). We talked about drill and practice, tutorial, problem solving, educational games, etc. We looked at specific kinds of application software from word processors to spreadsheets to presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint). Many educators feel that students should be taught the software applications they will have to know to succeed in their lives beyond school (e.g., work or college). Please make a list of five specific applications you think every student should learn, from more important to less important (you can name the application or just give the title -- e.g., 'MS Word' or even just 'word processors'). Explain your ranking in your blog entry. At what level in school do you think each application you list should be taught? Why?
Word processors - this is a professional application that can be used for just about anything, from quick notes to formal reports. Students should learn this first and foremost.
Internet browser - c'mon, everyone needs Google!
Email - other means of communication are still common, but email is so convenient for many reasons. This should be taught soon after typing and word processors.
Powerpoint - this should be saved for middle school/high school, as it is more of a professional application.
Excel - although I personally have only used Excel very few times, people like boring accountants use it daily for a myriad of reasons.
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I'd probably have word processor (you mention), browser (e.g., Firefox -- and you note this), presentation software (we have almost identical lists), email (which you also note) and other communication software would round it out (e.g., IM, Skype) or some web 2.0 stuff -- and the web 2.0 apps sort of redefine how we think about "software."
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