7_3_8
WHAT: Select and use a variety of software to accomplish given goals
HOW:
Activity 1 - What is software?
Software is a part of the computer system that can't be physically touched. You will recognize software as the applications that you use to do things. It is also the Operating System (like Windows or iOS) that runs the essential processes required to make the whole system work. Later on in 8_2_8 you will learn a little more about software.
Activity 2 - What do we mean by goal?
A goal, when talking about software is, looking at what you are trying to produce.
Once you know exactly what you are trying to achieve it is easier to select the right software for the job.
Activity 3
Investigate all of the software listed below and find out what they might be used for. Create a document that has a table to store your findings.
The table might have these headings:
Software Name | Software Type | Cost | Main Features | Typically used for |
Software to Investigate
- Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Google Docs
- Google Sheets
- Google Slides
- Apache OpenOffice Calc
- Apache OpenOffice Writer
- Apache OpenOffice Impress
- Adobe InDesign
- Microsoft Publisher
- Inkscape
- SketchUp
- Norton
- McAfee
Activity 4
You should now have a clearer idea of the different types of software available and when they are commonly used. The software types that you should have discovered were:
- Word Processing
- Spreadsheet
- Presentation
- DeskTop Publishing and Graphic Design
- 3D Modelling
- Anti-virus
If you need to go back to Activity 3 and check that you have found all of these categories then do so now.
Activity 5 - Goal 1
Your first goal is to create a word processed letter for one of the themes below:
- A letter to the headteacher asking if you can have a non-uniform day
- A letter to a company thanking them for the free voucher that you have been sent
- A letter to a teacher telling them about a great lesson that you had
See this site for finding help on writing letters: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter
Activity 6 - Goal 2
Your second goal is to create a budget for the £100 that you have just been given as a surprise. You have been told that you must spend the £100 in a single day and you must use it for having fun. The video below will help you with some of the techy parts of this that you may not be familiar with.
Activity 7 - Goal 3
Create a short presentation stating the types of software that should be used for each of the tasks below:
- Writing a letter
- Creating a budget
- Making a Flyer
- Designing a bedroom layout
- Protecting your computer from viruses
CHECK:
EMBED:
Software Top Trumps!
Use this printable template to create a Top Trumps game for software applications (or create your own template!).
If you aren't sure what the Top Trumps game is then you can watch this video:
You will need to think of different software applications. Here are some to get you started:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Google Draw
- Microsoft Word
- Google Docs
You will then need to think of catagories that can be used to compare them by. Here are some to get you started:
- Cost
- File size of average document
- Ability to perform calculations ( / 10)
- Ability to present on a screen ( / 10)
- Document Sharing Ability ( / 10)
Focus the majority of your categories on achieving different goals.
Once you have created your game, print it and play it will a small group to test it out.
CLASSROOM IDEAS:
The top trumps activity could be a nice project for the students to complete as a side activity or a homework task. You could also get students to turn their card game into an application that they program.
