Identification of Different Types of Computer Software
Session 5: Identification of Different Types of Computer Software
Total Session Time: 60 minutes
Prerequisites
Session 4
Learning Tasks
By the end of this session, students are expected to be able to:
Define the Term Software
Describe Different Types of Software
Describe Various Computer Application Programs and its Uses
Resources Needed
Flip charts, marker pens, and masking tape
Black/white board and chalk/whiteboard markers
Computer
LCD
SESSION OVERVIEW
Step
Time
Activity/Method
Content
1
05 minutes
Presentation
Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks
2
10 minutes
Presentation
Brainstorming
Definition of Software
3
20 minutes
Presentation
Different Types of Computer Software
4
15 minutes
Presentation
Buzzing
Uses of Computer Applications
5
05 minutes
Presentation
Key Points
6
05 minutes
Presentation
Evaluation
SESSION CONTENT
Step 1: Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks (5 minutes)
READ or ASK students to read the learning objectives and clarify.
ASK students if they have any questions before continuing.
Step 2: Definition of Computer Software (10 minutes)
Activity: Brainstorming (5 minutes)
Ask students to brainstorm on the following question:
What is the meaning of the term ‘software’?
ALLOW few students to respond
WRITE their responses on the flip chart/ board
CLARIFY and SUMMARISE by using the content below
Software
Software is another name of a program or programs
The purpose of software is to convert data (unprocessed facts) into information (processed facts)
Software programs consist of the step-by-step instructions that tell the computer how to do its work
In other words software or programs are set of instruction which tells computer what to do
Step 3: Different Types of Computer Software (20 minutes)
There are two types of software/program; these are system software and application software
System Software.
System Software consists of programs that control the operations of a computer and its devices
System software serves as the interface between a user, the application software, and the computer’s hardwar
One type of system software is the operating system
Before application software can be run, the operating system, which contains instructions that coordinate the activities among computer hardware devices, must be loaded from the hard disk into the computer’s memory
System software is not a single program, rather it is a collection of programs, included the following:
Operating systems
Operating systems are programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an interface between users and computer, and run applications. Windows XP, Windows VISTA and the Mac OS X are the best known operating system for today’s microcomputer users
Utilities
Also known as service programs, they perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources
For example, the windows utility called Disk defragmenter locates and eliminates unnecessary file fragments and rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize computer operations
Devices drivers
Device drivers are specialized programs designed to allow particular input or output devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system
Application Software
Application software consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks for users Application software can be used as a productivity/business tool; to assist with graphics and multimedia projects; to support home, personal, and educational activities and to facilitate communications
Specific application software products is called program and are available from software vendors
These programs can be categorized as either basic or specialized applications
Basic applications
Also known as general-purpose applications, they are widely used in nearly all career areas. They are the kinds of programs you have to know to be considered as computer competent
One of these applications is a browser to navigate, explore and find information on the internet
The two most widely used browsers are Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Netscape’s Navigator
Specialized applications
Also known as special-purpose applications, these include thousand of other programs that are more narrowly focused on specific declines and occupations
Some of the best known are graphics audio, video, web authoring, and artificial intelligence programs
Various computer application programs are
Word processing
Excel
Database software
PowerPoint
Internet
E-mail software
Web browser
Step 4: Uses of Application Software (15 minutes)
Activity: Buzzing (5 minutes)
ASK students to pair up and buzz on the following question for 2 minutes
What are the types of computer software?
When do you use that software?
ALLOW few pairs to respond and let other pairs to add on points not mentioned
WRITE their response on the flip chart/board
CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below
Word processing software allows users to create and manipulate documents that contain text and graphics
With word processing software, you can insert clip art into a document; change margins; find and replace text; use a spelling checker to check spelling; place a header and footer at the top and the bottom of a page; and vary font (character design), font size (character scale), and font style (character appearance)
Excel is a spreadsheet application in the Microsoft Office Suite. A spreadsheet is an accounting program for the computer
Spreadsheets are primarily used to work with numbers and text
Spreadsheets can help organize information, like alphabetizing a list of names or ordering records, or calculate and analyze information using mathematical formulas
Power Point is the presentation graphics software in the Microsoft Office Suite
It allows you to create dynamic presentations using its easy-to-use, predefined layouts and templates
Database software allows you to create and manage a database
A database is a collection of data organized to allow access, retrieval, and use of that data. Database is used to store records of employees, clients and equipments
Example of employees records are Name, Age, Place of birth and occupation
A query is used to retrieve data according to specified criteria, which are restrictions the data must meet
E-mail software is used to create, send, receive, forward, store, print, and delete e-mail (electronic mail)
Web browser is a software application used to access and view Web pages.
Web browser help searching information of different types from different source
Step 5: Key Points (05 minutes)
Operating systems are programs that coordinate computer resources, provide an interface between users and computer, and run applications
Device drivers are specialized programs designed to allow particular input or output devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system
Power Point allows you to create dynamic presentations using its easy-to-use, predefined layouts and templates
Step 6: Evaluation (05 minutes)
What is software?
What do you understand by the term System Software?
What are the different types of Computer Software?
Reference
Bott, E. & Siechert, C. (2001). Microsoft Windows XP Inside Out. Microsoft Press
Ventage Press.
CPU. Retrieved from www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/CPU.html
Herniter, M.E. (2000). Personal computer fundamentals for students, hardware windows 2000 Application (2nd ed). Prentice Hall.
Joos, I. Whitman, N. Smith, M. Nelson, R. et al. (2006). Introduction to computers for
healthcare professionals (4th ed). Barb Mews: London.
Morris, M. & Charles, M. (2003). Logol Computer Designer Fundamentals. Prentice Hall.
University: Boston Burr Ridge.
Sagman, S. (1999), Microsoft Office 2000 for Windows: Visual Quick Start Guide.
Peachpit Press
The Basics of the Word Window. Retrieved from www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/
Unataka kutumiwa notes hizi kupitia WhatsApp?Kwa notes zilizopangiliwa vizuri kwa kusoma offline au PDF, bonyeza kitufe hapa chini. Ujumbe wenye Level, Semester, Module na Topic utaandaliwa moja kwa moja.TUMIWA NOTES WHATSAPP
