2.+Software

toc __SOFTWARE__

Introduction
In 1981, an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) scanner was required for document scanning. Today, these machines have been replaced with sophisticated scanners and software programs. Many institutions use state-of-the scanners to replace this antiquated machine and software programs such as Adobe Acrobat and Cute PDF have changed scanning, coverting and transmitting documents. The advent of Adobe Acrobat and Cute PDF is yet one example of software that has taken the place of some hardware.

Basics
Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Excel, Interaction, Lotus Notes and numerous other software have caused earlier hardware such as The Redactron, Xerox 860, IBM MagCard, IBM OS/System 6 and 6670, IBM 5520, DisplayWrite 3 and 4 to become obsolete. These earlier versions of hardware contained little to no intelligence of their own. Today, however, only one piece of technology is needed to accomplish wordprocessing and numerous other functions. With the evolution of technology in hardware also came software programs.

The Western Union Teletype has been replaced with the Internet and email. Whether an individual is using Gmail, hotmail, yahoo or any of the numerous email accounts, there is no use for such an inefficient, complicated piece of machinery. While many of us may revert to our calculator on occasion, numerous types of software have even replaced that once vital piece of equipment.

There is a direct correlation to the software programs in place today, to the resources available, to those programs used by institutions of all kinds, including educators, parents and even grandparents. Software programs are more efficient than and have eliminated the need and space required for large, bulky and inefficient machines of yesteryear. Software continues to replace hardware that was once relied upon by industry including the teaching industry. Numerous sites are available for student education. Software programs have considerably changed the education system.

Not only did teachers of the past not have some of today’s basic software programs available today, they were at the mercy of mimeograph and duplicating machines when multiple copies were needed. These machines were messy but the goal was achieved.

This class’s use of Wikispaces, Googledocs, Blackboard provides clear evidence of the evolution of Techology. One of our assignments was an introduction into the world of classroom technology -- software programs for teachers. Classroom technology provides teachers with the necessary tools to teach basics to their young charges such as reading, writing and arithmetic ([|http://www.time4learning.com]) at the same time introducing these young individuals to the world of computers. In a society where many parents have opted to teach via home schooling, these programs are invaluable resources.

Programs such as [|http://www.alliedhighschool.com] provide many parents of high schoolers an opportunity to home school their high school student and for those students to be able to attain their diploma through online education. For the parent who wants to home school their children from K to 12, one such program and website is K12 Online High School | K12.com ([|www.k12.com]) offers numerous resources for the parent home schooling their child.

Software programs have undoubtedly changed much in our lives and the manner in which we go about our daily business. My organization even uses an online website ([]) for recording its meeting and minute preparation. Granicus live manager and media manager save considerable time for recording meetings and agenda and minute preparation. In fact, it is even an invaluable tool for citizens who want up-to-date information on meetings. Both meetings and minutes are available online for instantaneous viewing and reading.

Comparison
The comparison belows identifies the differences between what is currently used in schools and those in the workplace. The software discussed above relates to those used in school systems and those that have evolved from various hardware.



Conclusion
Teaching software programs have become an evolving business. I would venture to guess that a student in the right school system, with the right funding sources, has no real need to fake illness to stay home from class. If the class offers webcam, skype, etc, a teacher can teach any child anytime, anywhere, anyplace thanks to the evolution of technology..

Section 3: Level of Training and Trained Personnel Check