Running Head: Handbook on Technology Features/ Tools

Technology Features/Tools Handbook

Clinton Teller
November 23, 2015
Eastern Michigan University

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Table of Contents
PROCESSING TOOLS........................................................................................... 3
LETTERS/ PRIMARY DOCUMENTS.................................................................................................. 3
NEWSLETTER/ TABLOID PROCEDURES........................................................................................... 3
LETTERS/MERGING................................................................................................................... 4
LETTERS/MERGING STRATEGIES................................................................................................... 5
MERGING PROCEDURES............................................................................................................. 5
WEB 2.0 TOOLS.................................................................................................. 6
CONS OF WEB 2.0 TOOLS......................................................................................................... 7
WEB 2.0 TOOLS FOR PRESENTATION............................................................................................ 8
EXAMPLE OF PREZI................................................................................................................... 8
EXAMPLE OF COGGLE.IT............................................................................................................ 8
WEB 2.0 TOOLS FROM GOOGLE.................................................................................................. 9
EXAMPLE OF A GOOGLE SITES PAGES.........................................................................................10
DATABASE TOOLS.............................................................................................11
DATABASE FUNCTION TOOLS..................................................................................................... 12
EXAMPLE OF DATABASE TOOLS FOR HISTORY COURSES...................................................................13
EXAMPLE OF A DATABASE TOOL FOR A STATISTICS COURSE..............................................................14
REFERENCES.................................................................................................... 15

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Processing Tools
In the past Processing tools were limited to a select group of programs.
However, todays technological developments have opened up this availability to all
individuals by using the cloud. This cloud allows for people to use the processing
tools from either home or work in a much easier fashion. The cloud is nothing more
than a digital data storage facility over the World Wide Web. Originally, the concept
of digital data storing was primarily made available by google through the use of
google apps, which has made processing tools available to any individual who has a
google email account.
Even though this account is available, there are limitations to the free
versions of this account. There are some functions that businesses or people may
not have available to service their work or personal needs, such as mail merging.
According to James Marshall (2015), for business users there is only one word
processing program, which is Microsoft Word. To bring Microsoft up with the times,
they have created Office 365, which allows users follow save material on a cloud
space. Below are a few possible applications for school district personnel.
Letters/ Primary Documents. Schools and district personnel must be able
to develop various documents that could be sent home using a word processor.
These documents can have many advanced features from in-text citations to
enhancements using photos. The following is a procedure for developing class
newsletters using Microsoft Word.
Newsletter/ Tabloid Procedures.
1. Open a blank word Document. (This is where you want to decide on the size
for your newsletter. In the templet sections there are many of general sizes
for a tabloid.)

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2. Determine your background by selecting the Design Tab at the top of the
page. In this tab look at the right side of the tool bar for page color, you
should find watermarks and page borders next to this function.

Figure 1-Design tab layout Reference

3. When your background is selected it is time to write your document. There

are two ways to insert text: 1st method consists of typing as you would a
regular paper on a processing document. 2 nd method consists of inserting a
text box, which limits your text to that box. This is found in the insert tab.
4. Now it is time to insert your pictures and add

Figure 2 - Insert tab example

captions to each picture. Make sure that all

pictures follow copyright laws. After the pictures
have been inserted into the document, teachers
are capable of writing text around the pictures
Figure 3 - Text wrapping
symbol
by changing the text wrapping. The icon for
changing this is located in the upper right hand corner. See figure 3.
Example of Newsletter/ Tabloid
(From a Student Standpoint)

Figure 4 - Student Sample of Tabloid/Newsletter

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Letters/Merging. Mail merging allows districts to merge a letter or any

document to an existing file. There are many forms of merging files, from a letter to
an email. The general principle of a mail merge allows for teachers or districts to
establish a database document, such as Excel, that contains mailing addresses for
the students and write a single mass letter that would be addressed to each parent
without creating multiple documents. According to Mazzara, owner of Printing to
Mail, the way word mail merge programs work is that it takes specific fields from a
database and merge the information into a word document (Mazzara, 2011).
Letters/Merging Strategies. The best ideas to use mail merging would
come from a professional standpoint. Application ideas for teachers/ school
personnel/ students: 1) sending letters home to parents over grades, 2) create a
massive email upload regarding sports or upcoming information, 3) provides
general skills for working and developing documents between multiple systems. In
order to practice the skills, it would benefit teachers to work on creating small group
mailing list using the data base software and generate a letter for those parents.
For coaches it is a great tool for sending home event schedules. According to
Mazzara (2011), mail merging is a great way to market companies, which works for
teachers. Since we are marketing our general courses.
Merging Procedures. More information about merging documents can be
found at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/211802.
1. Must create a database document about your customer base. Top row must
contain the content headings. Make sure everything is in a listed format.

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2. Write your letter or

create your document
that you would like to
send
to
your
constituents.
Make
sure to leave blank
spaces for the areas
that you would like to
create the merger with,
such as Name, Address,
etc.

Figure 5 - Mail Merge Database setup

Figure 5 - Mail Merge Database setup

3. Once the document or letter is

created, then start the merger by
selecting the mailings tab and use
the mail merger wizard.
This
allows for you to follow the
instructions, as seen in figure 6.
4. Complete the merger by selecting
the fields you require and placing them in the proper place. Always check
you final documents before you print these Figure 6 - Mail Merger example
documents. See figure 7 & 8 for an example.

Figure 8 - Completed Mail Merger

Figure 7 - Blank Mail Merger Document

Web 2.0 Tools

Web 2.0 tools are programs that are available for teachers, students, or
anyone who need assistance with learning material or extending knowledge of a

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concept. Most Web 2.0 tools are free of charge, which is nice for students, since it
will not cost parents. The idea behind web 2.0 tools allows students to access any
of this information from any computer. Whereas most programs require information
to be loaded onto a computer in order to open the file. This will assist schools with
lower operating budgets since many computer programs are very costly.
According to Open Education Database (2013),Web 2.0 tools ranges from
presentation tools like Prezi to collaboration tools like Skype or NoteMesh (101 Web
2.0 Education Tools,2013). Essentially, these tools conform to the ideas of
processing, database, and presentations. However, it gives the teacher a chance to
put the creative abilities of the students to the test to draw connections over
concepts and collaborate over topics. According to the research conducted by Light
and Keisch-Polin, the application of Web 2.0 tools, if performed properly, will deepen
and extend student productivity and knowledge through the use of asynchronous
communication (Light & Keisch-Polin, 2010, pg. 30). Therefore, it is vital for present
day classrooms to possess virtual learning communities that allows for synchronous
and asynchronous communication. This is possible through the implementation of
various Web 2.0 tools, such as Facebook, Wikis, and Learning Management System
(LMS). However, many schools prevent access to many of these tools, so there are
a variety of software programs that allows for the collaboration among peers as will
be discussed in the presentation and google sections.
Cons of Web 2.0 tools. The cons of Web 2.0 tools and their applications are
typically what worries many instructors who are at the end of their careers or do not
see where the application of these tools will assist their students in their
development. In contrary to research by Light and Keisch, discussed in the previous
section, it is vital to understand that Web 2.0 tools greatest concerns fall under the

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areas of forgetful students and economics. According to Stacy Reed (2006), what
would happen if the company you used to store your information was bought out or
collapsed (Reed, 2006)?
It should make a person wonder about where this information should be
stored. Is it available when the company folds? From the research, it is not
apparent what the protocol is for the companies who use web 2.0 tools, but it is
possible to store the data by creating PDF files of the information. However,
students who lose passwords or materials, it is solely up to you to complete the
work. Even though this con broadens the thoughts of the application of Web 2.0
tools, there is no real data showing cons to the application of these tools. In fact,
the only con comes from the lack of remembering passwords and economic issues,
which are outside the control of instructors.
Web 2.0 tools for Presentation. Presentation tools comes in a variety of
different methods. It can come from a brainstorming like Coggle.it, which includes
collaboration tools, to Prezi presentations that follows similar ideas as Microsoft
PowerPoint, and to comic book development software known as Pixton. The general
strategies for these tools is to allow the students to be creative over a concept and
to use collaboration to design a presentation. Furthermore, it allows teachers to use
new techniques as a way to entice students to continue learning material.

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Example of Prezi. Prezi is a free
presentation software. This software allows
students to create and develop concepts from their
phone or a computer that is located anywhere. This
software would work for any subject and any grade
level. This program allows students to work a
presentation away from school, since most
individuals do not own the Microsoft Office or

Figure 9 - Prezi presentation sample.

Title Screen and an individual card.

presentation suite, which schools own. For more information about Prezi, please go
to their website prezi.com.
To create a Prezi, it is important to follow typical presentation ideas. Make
sure to limit the amount of information per slide, which will allow observers a
chance to see the material, and make sure to use pictures to enhance presentation.
Go to Prezi.com to create your account today.
Example of coggle.It.

Coggle.it is brainstorming software that allows

students to organize material or a concept for presenting information. As a strategy

for a class, this would be great for any classroom, but English classes would greatly
benefit from the application of this program. Many students have a hard time
writing papers, which stems from organizing the material. The coggle.it program
will organize information by color strands, which is nice since many students lose
focus on information. This program would be great for organizing information for
any class. It is possible to use the program to create a general timeline of events.
With communication playing such an important role of developing our youth of
today, coggle.it has a document sharing component where students can add
information. Thus, allowing students to share information on a virtual learning

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platform, which was stressed
by Light and Keisch-Polin
research as important for the
development of students.
Web 2.0 tools from
Google. Web 2.0 tools is not
limited to just presentation
programs. It encompasses all

Figure 10 - Coggle.it example of a timeline

of the google applications from word processing to website apps. These apps are
free for people to use as long as you have a google account, however, it is
important to remember that there are some apps that require purchasing. Using the
understanding of the need of collaboration of peers for learning, stressed by
research completed Light and Keisch-Polin (2010), Google has developed a variety
of apps that students can use and share with peers as a way to perform
asynchronous communication. Google sites is a great app for teachers to utilize
since it gives them an opportunity to design a web based learning environment for
their classes. Moreover, teachers can use these sites in a variety of ways: 1) web
quests, 2) development of virtual classrooms, and 3) creation of web research over
a topic. The steps for accessing and using these tools are as follows:
1. Create a google account. If the teacher would like their students to apply
collaboration in their learning, then each student must have an account.
Normally this is not an issue since most students already have account.

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2. Go to the apps
located in the
upper right hand
corner of the
webpage. It is
next to your login
name.
3. Must create an
example of what is required of your

Figure 11 - Google apps location

sample

students. This should help to reduce confusion on assignments.

Moreover, make sure to access and practice using these apps at least
once a week to get students to understand how to work the applications.
Example of a Google Sites Page. This is a web quest designed for high
school and middle school students who are discussing Food Webs in a science
class. To create a site from google, use the following steps: 1) Determine a
general background, 2) select the edit button in the upper right hand corner
(should have a pencil, 3) make sure to create any video or pictures you want
to upload into the site, and 4) test your site after you create it for problems.

Figure 12 Ecosystem web quest designed for middle school and high school students using Google sites

Figure 12 Ecosystem web quest designed for middle school and high school students using Google sites
Figure 4 - Task page fore Ecosystem webpage. This shows what the students are required to complete.

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Figure 14 - Ecosystem procedures page. Notice how the page has an embedded you tube video.
Videos can be made by the instructor or found from youtube.com

Database Tools
Another important application that school district personnel must be familiar
with is Database tools. In todays age of data driven lessons and presenting data to
show growth of students it is vital that district personnel use these tools to chart the
progress of students. However, databases can be used for other applications, such
as statistical work for sports teams and charting reading books, to determine what
books the district needs to purchase for students. A con for most district personnel
is the lack of time and complexity of the database programs. The most common
database programs used by districts is Microsoft excel or Google sheets. Both
follow the same principle, but as was stated earlier the Microsoft programs are the
gold standard for tools.
The applications of these programs for teachers primarily follow the idea of
record keeping for growth, however, it can also be used as a teaching tool. Some
common collaboration and application strategies would consist of statistical analysis
using data points and charting events. It can also apply strategies as charting and

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generalizing groups of information to remember such as squaring charts for Algebra
II, organizing events for history, and categorizing books read in English. The next
section will contain examples of possible assignments using database tools.
Database function tools. The development of charts showing growth and
complex formulas can be determined two different ways. The first way is to
highlight the cell (for the formula) and press the equal sign. From there it is
possible to insert any formula using the operation symbols. Please remember that
this follows the order of operations when computing the numbers. The second
method is by selecting the function notation button ( fx ), a picture of this button
is shown in figure 16. General Operations found in this section are summation,
count, average, and trigonometric calculations tools. Once you select your
operation, just select the data you want to compute and it will provide the answer.
It is possible to calculate various data over multiple pages, just select the
sheet and cell, and then determine your operation. The nice thing is that you will
be able to copy the formula by using the green square in the lower right-hand side
of the cell. When the plus sign is shown then drag across the cells you require to
follow those same formulas. This trick would work for copying any information over
multiple cells. Figure 17 will show exactly where this shortcut is located.

Figure 17- Examples of functions operations and shortcut location.

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Example of
database tools for
history courses. For
organizing information
in history, it is easy to
used databases.
Students can insert
pictures and structure
and change cells to
meet the demands of
the activity. In order to
include collaboration have the students analyze how two events are related, such as
but not limited to the Persian Wars and the height of Sparta. In order to complete
this task, have your students follow the set of guidelines:

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1. Research various important dates related to your topic. Write these dates in
a sequential order. These should be contained to Column A and Column E.
2. Write what occurred on that date. Make sure to explain your event
thoroughly.
3. Locate an image that relates to the event. Sometimes still images using the
snipping tool from videos will work too.
4. Make sure to adjust any columns and rows to handle the information.
5. Instructor must have the students draw a connection to their charted
information and another event around the same time period.
Example of a database tool
for a statistics course. Statistics is
Figure 15 - Example of a history database lesson.

a difficult concept to learn.

However, the introduction of
database tools allows for the
creating and arranging of data in a
new way. Statistic activities could
incorporate practical cases such as
accounting. This would be a task for

Figure 16 - Sample of where the Function operation button

and its operations.

students to determine how to live within a specific income. To follow the ideas of
creating an assignment using this practical approach, it is important to understand
not everyone has the same income. Therefore, to simulate this activity use the
following steps: 1) have the students draw an amount they had to live on for a
month, 2) create a chart of the expenses. Expenses should include personal (what
he or she wants like shampoo, deodorant, or nail polish), Food, and Housing. 3)
Have the students compute complex formulas using the function application, this
will show the students expenses per section. 4) Use charts to show where their
most expensive section is located and have the students answer specific questions
about what is taught.

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References
101 Web 2.0 Education Tools. (2013). Retrieved on November 22, 2015 from
http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/101-web-20-teaching-tools/
Light, D. & Keisch-Polin, D. (2010). Integrated web 2.0 tools into the classroom:
Changing the culture
of learning. EDC Center for Children and Technology. Retrieved on November 22,
2015 from
http://cct.edc.org/sites/cct.edc.org/files/publications/Integrating%20Web2.0.PDF
Marshall, J. (2015). Choosing the right word processor. Retrieved on November 22,
2015 from
http://wordprocessing.about.com/cs/programs/a/WP_Programs.htm
Mazara, P. (2011). Printing to mail: Database mgnt/mail merge. Retrieved on
November 22, 2015 from
http://www.printingtomail.com/articles/The-Importance-Of-Word-Mail-Merge-InDirect-Mail
Marketing-Campaigns.html
Reed, S. (2006). The pros and cons to Web 2.0 tools. Retrieved on November 23,
2015 from
http://www.tucows.com/article/846