Reflecting on creating a journal entry, calculations, percentage generation, developing a presentation, and database utilization - my experience with software applications has been refreshed. There are pros and cons for each application. The type of document being created will determine what application is best suited, whether it is building a spreadsheet, presentation, or letter.
The functionality of Microsoft Word is for creating documents, calendars, letters, and other literary works. Microsoft Word is a pillar in academia. Microsoft Excel is an impressive application. The ability to solve complex problems and generate graphs, statistics and other formulas is great for math courses or for noticing trends. Microsoft PowerPoint can compile all the data from the other two applications and create a presentation that is easy to follow, and all the key points are communicated. The database application is the method by which all these documents are submitted through the University of Arizona Global portal. The database also included a library to get peer-reviewed references and access to the course textbook.
Each application is good for the function for which it was designed. Generating a graph is better generated in Excel and transferred to PowerPoint or Word. PowerPoint is limited to the information presented in short bullet point functions. The term ‘death by PowerPoint’ can have negative impacts on the audience. “Key contributors to death by PowerPoint include confusing graphics, slides with too much text, and presenters whose idea of a good presentation is to read 40 slides out loud.” (Contributor, 2013) It is important to remember the audience and gear the document toward that direct audience.
Many people like to document – it can be budget, goals, tracking, lists, etc. It would be difficult to determine the best application due to the different aspects of documenting. For example, in week two of the TEC 101 Fundamentals of Information Technology & Literacy course, an assignment required 24-hour tracking of tasks spent in a day with percentages. Excel would be best for this type of tracking. Data is limited to the point and direct. Perhaps an individual would prefer to document the events that occur in a day – to which Word would be a better application. It is difficult to determine how PowerPoint could benefit a person in documenting information about their day.
This document includes a comparison of several applications and the advantages and disadvantages of each application. The document also includes recommendations for documenting daily information in Excel or Word and additional scenarios that the application would benefit. The review of the features of each application was refreshing, as some of these features are not always used often. The roles of these applications simplify life in an ever-growing technical world.
References
Contributor, T. (2013, August). Death by PowerPoint. Retrieved from WhatIs.com: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/death-by-PowerPoint
Last Name, F. M. (Year). Article Title. Journal Title, Pages From - To.
Last Name, F. M. (Year). Book Title. City Name: Publisher Name.
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