Six jobs, five programs
On Monday a help desk gets six requests. Write a letter. Add up the term's trip costs. Keep a list of 2,000 laptops. Tell a class about a late bus. Plan a room move. Share a week of work between four people.
Each job has a best tool. Picking the wrong one wastes time. Today you learn to pick the right one.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Application software | a program that helps you do a job for yourself | a word processor |
| Word processor | an application for writing and laying out documents | |
| Spreadsheet | a grid of cells that holds numbers and works out sums | |
| Database | an organised store of many records that you can search | |
| messages sent between people over a network | a note with an attachment | |
| Project management software | an application to plan tasks, people and deadlines | |
| Network | computers joined together so they can share things | |
| Record | one row of facts about one thing, such as one laptop |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can choose the right application for a job and say why.
Starter
Have a go
Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Words and messages
A word processor makes documents: letters, reports and posters. It checks spelling, sets fonts and puts in pictures and tables. Good for text with a layout.
Email sends a message, with files attached, to one person or many. It leaves a record with a date. It is not instant, so it is not for an emergency.
Word processor and email compared
| Application | Best for | Features | Not so good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word processor | Letters, reports, posters | Spell check, styles, tables, pictures | Lots of calculations |
| Messages and sending files | Attachments, groups, a dated record | Urgent news in seconds |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Check
Have a go
Check
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.