DGB 2: Software for Different Tasks
There are often several programs that can solve the same task. Good application competence therefore means more than knowing one product: students should choose software that fits the task, understand file formats, use settings and help features, and distinguish installed, web-based, open-source and proprietary software.
Curriculum reference
[Bearbeiten]| Area | Classification |
|---|---|
| Competence area | Action |
| Perspectives | Technical and interaction perspectives (T, I) |
| Focus | Software – including free and open-source software – for different tasks |
| Competence | Choose digital tools according to task, functions, usability, cost, privacy and compatibility, test them in practice and evaluate the choice. |
Learning objectives
[Bearbeiten]Students can:
- distinguish software, operating system, application and web service;
- match word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, graphics, browser, communication and programming tools to suitable tasks;
- distinguish installed from web-based applications;
- compare free/open-source and proprietary software in basic terms;
- use functions, usability, cost, privacy, compatibility and language as selection criteria;
- distinguish the core purposes of Word/Writer, Excel/Calc and PowerPoint/Impress;
- use file formats such as DOCX, ODT, XLSX, ODS, PPTX, ODP, PDF, PNG and JPG appropriately;
- save, open, export and share files in suitable formats;
- use menus, settings, help features and keyboard shortcuts to solve problems;
- choose software for individual and group work and justify the decision.
Learning content
[Bearbeiten]What is software?
[Bearbeiten]Software includes programs and applications that make digital devices useful. The operating system manages basic device functions; application software solves specific tasks such as writing, calculating, presenting, drawing or communicating.
Choosing the right tool
[Bearbeiten]The best tool depends on the task. A spreadsheet is usually better than a word processor for repeated calculations; a presentation tool is designed for slides; an image editor is intended for graphics. Familiarity with one product is not enough reason to use it for every job.
Word/Writer, Excel/Calc and PowerPoint/Impress
[Bearbeiten]Word and Writer focus on structured text documents. Excel and Calc organise data in cells and support calculations, sorting, filtering and charts. PowerPoint and Impress support slide-based presentations. Students should recognise transferable concepts between comparable programs.
Open-source and proprietary software
[Bearbeiten]Open-source software provides source code under licences that permit defined forms of use and modification. Proprietary software is controlled under different licence terms. Cost, support, compatibility, required accounts and privacy can all matter when choosing between tools.
File formats and compatibility
[Bearbeiten]Different programs use different native formats. Open formats can support exchange between products, while PDF is useful when a document should keep its appearance. Image formats such as PNG and JPG have different strengths. Exporting to another format may change editable features.
Settings and help functions
[Bearbeiten]Menus, preferences, built-in help, tooltips, documentation and keyboard shortcuts support independent problem solving. Students should learn to search help using precise terms rather than relying only on trial and error.
Software for collaboration
[Bearbeiten]Collaboration tools may support simultaneous editing, comments, version history and sharing permissions. Their usefulness depends on the task, accounts, privacy, connection quality and the need to work offline.
Classroom activities
[Bearbeiten]Choose software for a task
[Bearbeiten]Match several school tasks to suitable software categories and justify each choice.
Expected outcome: Reasoned tool selection.
Compare open-source and proprietary software
[Bearbeiten]Compare two suitable tools by function, cost, compatibility, privacy and support.
Expected outcome: A criteria-based comparison.
Test software in practice
[Bearbeiten]Complete the same small task in two programs and record differences in workflow and result.
Expected outcome: A practical comparison.
Use file formats deliberately
[Bearbeiten]Save or export a document in two formats and compare editability, appearance and compatibility.
Expected outcome: Understanding of format choice.
Use help and problem-solving strategies
[Bearbeiten]Solve a prepared software problem using built-in help or documentation and record the search terms used.
Expected outcome: Independent problem solving.
Evaluate collaboration software
[Bearbeiten]Compare tools for group work by comments, permissions, simultaneous editing, offline use and accounts.
Expected outcome: A justified collaboration-tool choice.
Explain a software choice from school life
[Bearbeiten]Choose software for a report, data analysis or presentation and explain why it fits better than two alternatives.
Expected outcome: A clear justification.
Discuss software responsibility
[Bearbeiten]Identify what should be checked before installing or signing up for a new service.
Expected outcome: A practical pre-use checklist.
Create a transferable skills list
[Bearbeiten]List functions that work similarly across different office suites.
Expected outcome: Recognition of transferable concepts.
Self-check
[Bearbeiten]- I can choose software based on the task rather than brand familiarity.
- I can distinguish operating systems, applications and web services.
- I can compare open-source and proprietary software.
- I can choose suitable file formats.
- I can use help features to solve problems.
- I can justify software choices using several criteria.