Education Software finds many uses in education, like as teaching aids for a teacher, for better understanding in the form of videos and animations, for taking pictures or diagrams, for analysis of data, etc. Even there are many apps developed for use over smartphones related to education and studies.
This academic software makes the process of study easier, faster, and more effective if used properly. They are also inexpensive and affordable. The expensive ones, like design software, can be bought by the institution offering the course.
Role of academic software
School administration software: Software widely used in academics to make the process of administration easier. There is software like school administration software, college management software, etc. These help in the maintenance of records and databases of all the activities and curricula of the school or college.
There is also software for the timetable to maintain the student database, their marks, attendance, accounting, etc. This software is useful for the management and higher officials of the school and college but not for teachers and students.
This software is of the free type like Microsoft word excel or Word, and sometimes they are purchased.
Software for teachers: Teachers need some software as teaching aids. These include animated videos or virtual labs, pictures, etc., for demonstration of topics in science, geography, and also lab experiments.
The teacher software is many, like lesson planners, grade keepers, etc. For a detailed list, read the article.
This software is sometimes freely available on the net or supplied along with the textbooks purchased or else individually in the market. Many schools and colleges maintain a collection of this software in the form of DVDs etc. Further other equipment like an overhead projector and an interactive board are required.
Language learning software: This is software to learn languages like English, French, Spanish, etc., provided by a few websites.
Higher education software: This includes a large set of software useful to students and also teachers. They are of different types based on the need or purpose. They include
1. Picture or image software: As the name indicates, these are software to make pictures or images of interest. These include Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photoshop, etc. They are needed to make diagrams for the representation of novel ideas in science for presentation in science exhibitions, poster presentations, seminars, etc. This software requires some practice to use for the newbie, but they are easy to learn.
2. Analytic software: This is a set of software meant especially to analyze complex data of research of any type in science, social, management studies, etc. They include mostly statistical software, ex, graph pad prism, SPSS, etc.
3. Design software: Design software is used to design molecules of chemistry or in architecture to predetermine the effectiveness and feasibility of the drug molecule or the structure under plan construction.
In medicinal chemistry, CAD (computer-aided drug design) software is widely used to analyze the drug molecule to see if it fits properly into a receptor for effective therapeutic action or else if the stereo configuration is right or else the chances of toxic effects, etc.
In architecture, the software is used to estimate the strength and durability of the structure under plan construction.
Thus this software is used at Postgraduate or research levels to help minimize the waste of time and cost in making physical molecules or structures by determining their effectiveness virtually on the computer.
4. Presentation software: This is software meant for the presentation of concepts to a large group of an audience using a projector. They are mostly free software like Microsoft PowerPoint.
5. Data synchronizing software: This is software that maintains similar data between two sets of computers through a memory device (hard drive), like one in the office and one at home. This software helps maintain similarity in data to safeguard even in times of damage to one system. Thus, one’s data is never lost.
6. Language grammar: This is software meant to correct any grammar and spelling mistakes while writing. Though the software is available for different languages, there are more so for English. Grammarly is one of the software in the class. It has both a free version and also paid version. The free version can correct spelling mistakes while writing and editing. This software can be integrated into Microsoft Word and other writing documents.
7. Referencing software: Those who are involved in writing a scientific journal or other essays will need to reference their work. For this reference is done both in the text and also at the end of the writing. Every journal has a different style for referencing. So, doing it manually is time-consuming, with chances of errors.
To solve this problem, one needs to use referencing software. Some of the prominent software are Endnote, Mendeley, etc.
8. System security: Advanced operating systems are less prone to attacks and theft of data. But for old ones and enhanced safety, it is worth using antivirus software. They help prevent data loss and also spying on your online work.
9. Virtual private networks: These are the software that helps to hide your IP while browsing online. These software mask your IP and prevent others from tracking you.
Further, those websites which are not accessible in your place can be accessed by VPN software.
Higher education software is very useful for students to better performance to face competition from colleagues.
