Software Evaluations Abigail Smith State University of New...

Running Head: SOFTWARE EVALUATIONS

Software Evaluations

Abigail Smith

State University of New York at Oneonta

Running Head: SOFTWARE EVALUATIONS 1

Jumpstart Advanced, All Subjects, 3rd Grade

Jumpstart Advanced 3rd Grade can be used for students in 3rd grade (7-9 years of age). The software

program comes with four different discs that focus on building children’s skills in math, history, art, and

science. Students will play games, uncover clues, and focus on solving problems. In order for the software

to run properly a computer will need a CD-ROM drive and Windows Me, 98, XP, or 2000.

Professional Video Training, Microsoft Office, Grades 9-12

Professional Video Training is a software that can be used to help students and teachers fully understand

how to use Microsoft Office. The software offers more than 42 hours of video lessons, hands on practice,


and 15 instruction manuals. In order for the software to run properly a computer will need a CD-ROM

drive and a Windows or a Mac.

Spongebob Squarepants Typing, Typing, Grades K-5

Spongebob Squarepants typing is a software program designed to help young children learn how to type.

The software offers a fun arcade-style game that helps students have fun while learning. The keyboarding

drills offer a step-by-step typing tutorial that is fun and interesting. The software can be bought as a PC

Disc, or the software can be bought and downloaded on a PC or a Mac.

The Oregon Trail, Educational Simulation, Ages 9 and up.

The Oregon Trail offers students a real life simulation as they discover challenges of the frontier life.

Students can go hunting, buy items, discover knowledge, and learn about history. Students can learn


many different life skills, such as problem solving, decision making, map reading, and more. In order for

the software to work properly a computer must have a CD-ROM Drive and Windows Me, 98, 95 or a

Mac.

Educational Software Evaluation Form

Title: Jumpstart Advanced 3rd Grade _

Publisher: Knowledge Adventure_

Copyright: _______ Version: _________

Platform/version: __ Mac

Media: __ Diskette

Also Needs: __ Internet

Cost: ___6.41

X__ Windows

x_ CD-ROM __ DVD

Classroom SUBJECT AREAS—Please circle all that apply ASSESS IT MC SW AT IN MM SC CC KB PS SS EC LA PRO DEV SN HPER MA RL TE WL

Topic: ______________________________ GRADES/ABILITY LEVELS—Circle the range PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 _____Teacher also ______Teacher only READABILITY LEVEL—Circle one Easier Consistent

with grade

STUDENT GROUPING ______Individuals ______Pairs

More difficult

__ Microphone __ Other _____

Teacher Support DOCUMENTATION: __Binder __Booklet __Included on media __on Internet INSTRUCTION MANUAL HAS: x____Objectives ____Resource information ____Student booklets ____Other ____________________________________________________________

____Lesson plans ____Reproducible student pages

____Sample screens

______Groups of 3 or 4 ______Whole group

Content

Material is presented impartially and without bias or distortion: X___Yes ___No

Compared to the standards from: ______________________________________ Meets these standards: (Mark only one) ___Inadequately

Content is current. Content is thorough. Content is age appropriate. Content is reliable. Content is clear. Content is fully referenced.

___Minimally _Appropriately

__No __No __No __No __No __No

___Exceeds Them

_x Some __Some __Some __Some __Some X__Some

__Mostly __Mostly x__Mostly __x Mostly __Mostly __Mostly

__Yes _X Yes __Yes __Yes X__Yes __Yes

PROVIDES Student journal __Yes x__No E-mail option __Yes x__No Spreadsheet __Yes __No Calculator __Yes __No Print options __Yes __No Other _________________________

FINAL REPORT CARD Teacher support Content Assessment Technical quality Instructional design

DESCRIBE THE CONTENT:

Assessment Has pretest. Has posttest. Has record keeping by student. Has record keeping by group. Has assessment guidelines.

__Yes X__Yes __Yes __Yes __Yes

__No __No __No __No __No

Technical Quality

Installation and Setup: Sound is: __Essential Videos: __Run jerkily

__Difficult __High quality __Run smoothly

__Time consuming __Supplemental __Are essential __Not essential

__Simple A A A A A

B B B B B

C C C C C

D D D D D

F F F F F

Reviewer’s Name: ____________________

Contact Information:_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Dated:_ YOUR OVERALL RATING _ B-

340 NETS FOR TEACHERS—PREPARING TEACHERS TO USE TECHNOLOGY

APPENDIX D • EVALUATION FORMS

Instructional Design

CIRCLE THE MODES THAT APPLY AC AU BL CA CP DE DP EG EX GP IN LEP MM PS RF SI TE TL TU

PROMOTES

_X_ Creativity __X_ Higher-order thinking

MOTIVATIONAL

X___ Student controls pacing _Stimulates curiosity ___Challenging ___Real-world connections

___ Collaboration X___ Problem solving

X__ Discovery ___ Memorization

STRENGTHS: The software works on many different skills like math, reading, art, and problem solving. Each disc offers a new activity and games, therefore the child will not become bored.

WEAKNESSES: The software was created in 2006 and does not have any indication that it has been recently updated. With new standards and the common core, it is unknown if the software would be helpful toward children learning in 2015.

DESCRIBE THE LEARNING STRATEGY INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN: The software uses four different CD’s that encourage students to solve problems and use their skills to unravel mysteries. While students play the games, they focus on building skills in multiple subjects. The software allows students to work at their own pace and also offers a reward system that keeps students motivated.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

NETS FOR TEACHERS—PREPARING TEACHERS TO USE TECHNOLOGY 341


Title: ____Professional Video Training _

Publisher: _._____TeachUcomp


Platform/version: __ X Mac

Media: __ Diskette


Cost: 16.97_________

__ X Windows

X_ CD-ROM __ DVD


Topic: Learn Microsoft Office 2013 and 2010_____ GRADES/ABILITY LEVELS—Circle the range PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 __x Teacher also ______Teacher only READABILITY LEVEL—Circle one Easier Consistent

with grade


More difficult


Teacher Support DOCUMENTATION: __Binder __Booklet __Included on media __on Internet INSTRUCTION MANUAL HAS: ____Objectives _X Resource information ____Student booklets _X___Other PDF user manuals


____Sample screens


Content

Material is presented impartially and without bias or distortion: X___Yes ___No





___Exceeds Them

__Some __Some __Some __Some __Some __Some

__Mostly __Mostly X__Mostly _X_Mostly __Mostly __Mostly

X__Yes X__Yes __Yes __Yes X__Yes _X_Yes

PROVIDES Student journal __Yes _X_No E-mail option __Yes _X_No Spreadsheet __Yes _X_No Calculator __Yes X__No Print options __Yes __No Other _________________________




__Yes __Yes __Yes __Yes __Yes

X__No _X_No __No __No __No

Technical Quality




__Simple A A A A A

B B B B B

C C C C C

D D D D D

F F F F F

Reviewer’s Name: ____________________


_________________________________________________________________________

Dated:_ YOUR OVERALL RATING __A__





PROMOTES

__ Creativity ___ Higher-order thinking

MOTIVATIONAL

_X__ Student controls pacing _Stimulates curiosity ___Challenging ___Real-world connections

___ Collaboration ___ Problem solving

_x_ Discovery ___ Memorization

STRENGTHS: The software includes over 42 hours of video lessons to help students and teachers fully understand how to use Microsoft Office. The video’s offer step-by-step guidance so anyone can easily follow how each lesson.

WEAKNESSES: The software only covers Microsoft Office 2013 and 2010. Therefore, a school would have to make sure that their Microsoft Office program is up to date.

DESCRIBE THE LEARNING STRATEGY INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN: Each video lesson is designed to have step-by-step easy instructions. There are also PDF manuals that are easy to follow. After the CD is inserted into the computer, there is an easy-to-use interface where a person can simply choose the lesson or manual they want to view.

RECOMMENDATIONS:



Title: Spongebob Squarepants Typing_

Publisher: Encore Software_____


Platform/version: X__ Mac

Media: __ Diskette


Cost: 15.99____

X__ Windows

X_ CD-ROM __ DVD


Topic: Learn to Type____ GRADES/ABILITY LEVELS—Circle the range PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 _____Teacher also ______Teacher only READABILITY LEVEL—Circle one Easier Consistent

with grade


More difficult


Teacher Support DOCUMENTATION: __Binder __Booklet __Included on media __on Internet INSTRUCTION MANUAL HAS: X____Objectives ____Resource information ____Student booklets ____Other ____________________________________________________________


____Sample screens


Content Material is presented impartially and without bias or distortion: _x__Yes ___No





___Exceeds Them


__Mostly __Mostly __Mostly __Mostly __Mostly __Mostly

x__Yes _x_Yes _x_Yes _x_Yes _x_Yes _x_Yes

PROVIDES Student journal __Yes x__No E-mail option __Yes x__No Spreadsheet __Yes _x_No Calculator __Yes _x_No Print options __Yes __No Other _________________________




X__Yes X__Yes __Yes __Yes __Yes


Technical Quality




X__Simple A A A A A

B B B B B

C C C C C

D D D D D

F F F F F

Reviewer’s Name: ____________________


_________________________________________________________________________

Dated:_ YOUR OVERALL RATING ______





PROMOTES

__ Creativity _X__ Higher-order thinking

MOTIVATIONAL

_X__ Student controls pacing _Stimulates curiosity _X__Challenging _X__Real-world connections

___ Collaboration ___ Problem solving

__ Discovery __X_ Memorization

STRENGTHS: Spongebob Squarepants Typing offers a game mode or practice mode. It also offers three levels of challenge. The software tracks a student’s typing, speed and accuracy. Students are able to play games with a well-known character while having fun and learning to type.

WEAKNESSES: The software was created in 2012 and does not say if it has been updated.

DESCRIBE THE LEARNING STRATEGY INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN: Students are able to play various games while learning how to type. Therefore, it is a fun and exciting way for students to practice typing without actually thinking about it.

RECOMMENDATIONS:



Title: ____The Oregon Trail

Publisher: _The Learning Company


Platform/version: _X_ Mac

Media: __ Diskette


Cost: _8.90________

_X_ Windows

X_ CD-ROM __ DVD


Topic: Stimulation_____________ GRADES/ABILITY LEVELS—Circle the range PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 __X___Teacher also ______Teacher only READABILITY LEVEL—Circle one Easier Consistent

with grade


More difficult


Teacher Support DOCUMENTATION: __Binder X__Booklet __Included on media __on Internet INSTRUCTION MANUAL HAS: _X___Objectives _X___Resource information ____Student booklets ____Other ____________________________________________________________


____Sample screens


Content

Material is presented impartially and without bias or distortion: __X_Yes ___No





___Exceeds Them


__Mostly __Mostly __Mostly __Mostly __Mostly __Mostly

_X_Yes _X_Yes _X_Yes _X_Yes _X_Yes _X_Yes

PROVIDES Student journal __Yes X__No E-mail option __Yes X__No Spreadsheet __Yes __No Calculator __Yes __No Print options __Yes __No Other _________________________




__Yes __Yes __Yes __Yes __Yes


Technical Quality




_X_Simple A A A A A

B B B B B

C C C C C

D D D D D

F F F F F

Reviewer’s Name: ____________________


_________________________________________________________________________

Dated:_ YOUR OVERALL RATING ______





PROMOTES

x__ Creativity __x_ Higher-order thinking

MOTIVATIONAL

__x_ Student controls pacing x_Stimulates curiosity ___Challenging _x__Real-world connections

___ Collaboration ___x Problem solving

x__ Discovery ___ Memorization

STRENGTHS:

The Oregon Trail allows students to work at their own pace. There is over 2000 miles of adventure so students will not become bored. Oregon Trail focuses on many skills like problem solving and critical thinking. It also teaches students how to manage a budget.

WEAKNESSES: There are no weaknesses.

DESCRIBE THE LEARNING STRATEGY INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN:

Students explore the west by wagon. Students must learn how to survive by reading maps, and buying food. Students will be faced with hardships like how to overcome sickness and starvation.

RECOMMENDATIONS:


software selection form

Name _____________________________________________

School _____________________________________________

Grade or Department _____________________________________________

Software Title _____________________________________________

Publisher _____________________________________________

Content Area _____________________________________________

Topic _____________________________________________

Targeted Grade Level _____________________________________________

T Y P E O F L I C E N S E T O B E P U R C H A S E D ( C H E C K O N E )

! Single Computer ! Site License

! Lab Pack ! Network License

T E C H N I C A L R E Q U I R E M E N T S

Computer / Processor Required

RAM Required

Compatibility With Existing Software

S O F T WA R E C AT E G O R Y

! Presentation ! Multimedia

! Simulation ! Data Processing

! Tutorial ! Educational Game

! Reference ! Graphics

Chapter 2

The Technology Coordinator’s Handbook

Hard-Drive SpaceRequired

Additional HardwareRequired

Other Requirements

36

Copyright © 2004, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), The Technology Coordinator’s Handbook, byMax Frazier and Gerald D. Bailey. 1.800.336.5191 or 1.541.302.3777 (Int’l), [email protected], www.iste.org. All rights reserved.Distribution and copying of this excerpt is allowed for educational purposes and use with full attribution to ISTE.

initiator:[email protected];wfState:distributed;wfType:email;workflowId:008419f352f6469cb9b324a30f179e29


! Authoring ! Word Processing

! Drill and Practice ! Handheld Application

! Other (please specify)

S O F T WA R E F E AT U R E S


Teaching and Learning

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree N/AClaim

The directions are clear andeasy to follow.

It’s easy to start and exit theprogram.

Users can easily resume wherethey left off in the program.

The program functions welland is free of bugs.

The program is enjoyable to use.

The graphic elements aremeaningful and appropriate.

Sound can be turned on and off.

The software contains usefulmanagement features.

Basic tasks are easily learnedand intuitive.

Advanced features are easy toaccess and apply.

Menu-driven tutorials are builtinto the program.

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37



What specific curricular and technology standards will beaddressed by this software?

What are your instructional goals for using this software?

Have you found reviews of this software? If so, summarizecomments from the reviews:

Have you tested the software in the classroom? If so,summarize what you did with the software, and rate itsusefulness to the learning process:

If you haven’t used the software before, do you knowcolleagues who have? If so, indicate how they used thesoftware and their general evaluation:

Other comments or information:

Chapter 2


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P U R C H A S I N G I N F O R M AT I O N

Cost ___________________________

Product ID Number ___________________________

Recommended Vendor ___________________________

Vendor Address ___________________________

Vendor Phone Number ___________________________

Software Selection Committee Comments ___________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Committee Purchase Recommendation ! Yes ! No

Technology Coordinator Notes

Date of purchase ___________________________

Software license number ___________________________

Installation information, notes,and location(s) ___________________________

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________


Teaching and Learning

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Software Evaluations Abigail Smith State University of New...

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