The Evolving "Basic Suite"

Productivity tools such as word processors and spreadsheets, were some of the earliest software packages to be adopted. Their benefit was that they made many tasks that people were already doing easier, allowing them to be more productive. The big producers of productivity software began to package the tools together, often including a database program in the early days, and then a presentation program as the graphical capabilities of computers and printers progressed. Now, these packages of tools might be knows as a “Basic Suite,” with the “Basic Three” software tools of word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application (Roblyer, 2016). Most adults in the modern world consider a basic suite to be a necessity for work, and quite possibly for life. Personally, I can’t imagine dealing with budgets without a spreadsheet, writing a paper without a word processor, or standing up in front of a large group without a presentation to back me up. While we don’t know what the future of technology will hold with certainty, it is reasonable to assume that productivity tools similar to what currently exists will still be used. Therefore, these are tools we want to ensure our students are comfortable and competent with.

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Word processors create editable pages of text and graphics. Some basic suites, such as Microsoft 360 and Google Docs, allow these documents to be stored in the cloud, accessible from any web-connected computer. In addition, these cloud-based documents can be shared, so a collaborator can view, comment or edit, according to the document owner’s preferences. For students, this can be a game changer. When students conduct research for a science report, they are working with a lot of information. It is difficult to know what information will go where early in the writing process. A word processor allows students to write coherent paragraphs as they synthesize information, then move that paragraph around and add linking sentences for the final product, without the manual chore of rewriting. In addition, the document can be edited digitally by the teacher or other students, and clarifying clauses and sentences can be added without requiring an entire rewrite. Word processing software is increasingly good at incorporating graphic elements, blurring the lines with desktop and web publishing software. Experience with design and layout will likely help current students with necessary tasks in the future, as well.

Spreadsheets put numbers into rows and columns, where those numbers can be placed into formulas and calculations, or sorted to improve understanding. The use of a spreadsheet can help to build understanding from data and other information, because it can be manipulated and charted. For students working with data about scientific phenomena, a spreadsheet can be a way to quickly make and test hypotheses about relationships. For example, using a spreadsheet that contains data about the length of gestation, life span, and average number of offspring for various animals can help students explore concepts about how those elements may be related. Students can also use spreadsheets to easily perform complex calculations, which removes computation errors as a factor leading to misunderstanding. Spreadsheet software can accept data from a variety of sources, including survey exports, complex data sets, and even geo-tagged elements. As spreadsheets continue to become more powerful, it will be important that students understand the relationship between data and display, so that they can be informed consumers of information.

Presentation software places text, audio, and visual elements into a slideshow format that can be displayed in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences. In our increasingly graphic-intensive world, students must understand the impact of visual presentations, not just be the passive recipients of them. Elements of design can be used to manipulate emotions; when students are aware of design elements, hopefully they will be less likely to make decisions solely on the visual. Like word processing and spreadsheets, many presentation tools are cloud-based and collaborative, allowing students to effectively work together in the development of presentations. Ideally, students use presentation software as a storyboarding tool, planning the text, audio, and visual elements that will best convey their message to their audience. In all content areas, including science, the standards ask students to make an argument based on evidence. Creating that argument in a presentation format and sharing it to an authentic audience gives students a real-world experience, imitating the presentations required by scientists around the world as they share their results with their colleagues and the public.

Roblyer, M.D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (7th Ed.). Allyn & Bacon.