Software Evaluation
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"...so called educational software doesn't teach kids anything they won't learn better and faster from more engaging and durable low tech sources like books and playthings." Can computer software enhance student learning? Opinions vary. Thousands of software titles are available that present themselves as "educational" resources. Some are valuable and some aren't. Indeed looking beneath bells, whistles and flashy packaging you may find yourself agreeing with Michael Hiltzik. Educators need to be selective in choosing software for classroom use. Just because students are using technology doesn't mean that it is the best method of instruction. This unit presents ideas for evaluating educational software. |
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| Read materials in this online lesson and follow links to other World Wide Web sites. Online Class:
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Go to Part 2- Software Marketing Perspectives
Part
2: Software Marketing Perspectives
Less than 15% of the market for major software companies
such as Broderbund, The Learning Company, and Edmark are schools
Talking candidly with officials at most software
companies we recognize that schools aren't their major sales market. Schools
are less than 15% of the market for major software companies such as Broderbund,
Davidson, The Learning Company, and Edmark. Most of their sales are targeted
toward the home market. Product development focuses on appeal to children
and parents first; educational aspects of programs are often secondary.
Notable exceptions to this product development cycle are at Tom Snyder
Software and
Sunburst. How do we respond to Michael Hiltzik and others of similar mind
given this information? Stated differently, how can schools find educational
software packages that aren't "educational flops?" According to Stephen
Marcus, a Professor of Education at U.C. Santa Barbara, schools should
first consider purchasing "foundation software." Foundation software represents
such applications as word processors and multimedia authoring tools. They
are software tools that support the expression of ideas. Foundation software
can be used across all subject and curriculum areas.
Go to Part 3- Software Categories
Part
3: Software Categories Software
Categories:
Once a school has a basic collection of foundation
software they can begin shopping for other types of
software. It's useful to know what types of software are
available. This part of this lesson describes the various
software categories available: This software supplements traditional reference
materials. Electronic dictionaries, encyclopedias,
thesaurus, and atlases are some options that provide new
ways for students to access information. Movies, sound,
animation, and photographs are often incorporated in
electronic reference collections. Sample titles in this
category include: Grolier's Multimedia Encyclopedia,
Encarta, and Microsoft's Bookshelf. Costs for this type
of software range from $30 to $200. Drill and Practice- This type of software initiates practice and
repetition in specific skill areas. The scope of this
type of software is generally limited to one area such as
basic math facts, or recognition of three letter sound
symbol combinations. This is the most popular type of
software found in schools and homes. Games are generally
used as positive reinforcement with this software .
Sample titles in this category include: Math Blaster,
Reader Rabbit, Number Muncher. Costs for this type of
software range from $0 to $50. Integrated Learning Systems (ILS)- Related to Drill and Practice software, ILS software
offers a much broader scope of skill practice and
reinforcement. ILS systems generally provide a pre test
and base subsequent "lessons" on student performance.
Individualized student reports are often available. More
elaborate systems combine audio instruction with visual
and kinesthetic activities. Sample titles in this
category include: Success Maker, Compass Learning, and
SkillsBank. Costs for this type of software range from
$500 to many thousands of dollars depending on the
manufacturer, the range of lessons, and number of
workstations it is loaded on. Online Communications- This category deals with software that supports
communication between a local computer and others
anywhere else in the world. Communication may involve
email, access to the World Wide Web, or interchanges with
an electronic bulletin board system. Sample titles in
category include: Outlook Express, Netscape Communicator,
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Fetch, and NCSA Telnet.
Costs for this type of software range from $0 to $50. Classroom Management- Also know as "teacher tools," this category of
software supports the everyday work of educators.
Electronic grade books, test question databases, activity
sheet makers, test scanners, and presentation tools are
included here. Sample titles include: MicroGrade, Word
Search Creator, and Teacher's Toolbox. Costs range from
$0 to $200. Simulation- Exploring activities that may be either dangerous,
costly, and/or inaccessible this software promotes
"virtual reality" types of experience. Learners are
encouraged to make decisions, experiment, and understand
the consequences of choices. Sample titles include: Myst,
Oregon Trail, and Science Sleuths. Costs for this type of
software range from $25 to $500. Authoring Tools- Expanding "Foundation Software" beyond writing
applications, authoring tool software includes word
processors, databases, spreadsheets, multimedia authoring
tools, graphics programs and the like. Sample titles
include: Microsoft Word, AppleWorks, HyperStudio,
PowerPoint and KidPix. Costs range from $25 to $200.
Reference Collections-
Go to Part 4- California Learning Resources
Part
4: California Learning Resources
Guides to high quality instructional resources...
The California Department of Education offers
K-12 educators some valuable assistance in locating appropriate software
for instruction. Presented through the World Wide Web, three of these
resources are: California Statewide Master Agreement for Resources in Technology Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership The remainder of this section will provide the reader with an in-depth
look at each of these California learning resource sites. California Learning Resource Network Electronic learning resources are considered to be supplemental to materials
intended as a full course of study at grades K-12. California does not
yet recognize that any electronic material is capable of offering a complete
course of study. (The key idea is that teachers manage and direct the
appropriate use of electronic resources; teachers don't relinquish their
responsibility when a student works at a computer or views a video.) Looking at the CLRN site, educators can direct their attention to the
four academic content areas: Educators can search within each content area for resources that match
their needs using either grade level criteria or State Standards. Search
results include a listing of electronic resources that match the specified
criteria. Each electronic resource listing can be explored further by
clicking on the resource title. Following these links, educators will
find electronic resource descriptions, California State Content Standards
correlations and sample lessons. All electronic learning resources listed at the CLRN site have been reviewed
by a team of at least three credentialed California teachers with content
area expertise. The review team insures that each resource is appropriate
for use in a California public school classroom with the intended age
group of students. The review team also validates standards correlations
and makes suggestions for use within a course of study. One of the most useful features of the CLRN site is the ability to generate
comparative tables that make it simple for the user to compare results
from a search. Users can easily see likeness and differences given the
following criteria: targeted grade(s), reading level, predominant instructional
mode, special populations targeted by the material, use options (whole
class, small group, individual), copyright year, special features, and
other technical criteria useful in determining whether the software could
be used with the equipment at your school setting. California Statewide Master
Agreement for Resources in Technology Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership
California Learning Resource Network (CLRN)
http://clrn.org
CLRN provides educators with a "one-stop" resource for critical information
needed for the selection of supplemental electronic learning resources
aligned to the State Board of Education academic content standards and
linked to model lesson plans utilizing technology.
http://calsave.org/
From computer software to VHS camcorders, classroom technology is expensive,
ever changing, and critical to the success of California's K&endash;12
students. C-SMART negotiates to create opportunities for California
K-12 public schools and districts to participate in discount buying
and licensing of educational technology instructional resources.
http://portical.org/
A web portal for school administrators, this site offers assistance
in the development of plans for effective use of school technologies,
including the selection of appropriate software resources.
The California Learning
Resource Network (CLRN) is intended to provide educators with the
information they need to make informed decisions about selection, procurement
and instructional use of supplemental electronic learning resources. CLRN
defines electronic resources as:
Mathematics
http://calsave.org/
CalSAVE is a resource
that leverages the buying-power of California public schools to negotiate
special pricing arrangements with manufacturers and suppliers of educational
technology instructional resources. CalSAVE lists
product names, pricing agreements, and vendor contact information (CalSAVE
is not a vendor). California public school educators can locate pricing
information in the following categories: hardware resources, software
resources, distance learning resources, electronic reference resources,
instructional video resources, and web-based learning resources.
The Technology Information
Center for Administrative Leadership is a web portal offering school
leaders a rich array of materials to support the effective use of technology.
These resources have been collected and organized by practicing administrators
and met criteria judged to be of value to other administrators. You will
find these resources organized in a large database called the Matrix.
The Matrix was developed around six areas identified by different focus
groups identified as areas administrators needed skills to show leadership
in Educational Technology. The Matrix is comprised of six smaller matrices
representing the six identified areas as shown below:
Go to Part 5- Tips for Choosing Educational Software
Part
5: Tips for Choosing Educational Software
Insure that software matches your educational focus...
Finding software appropriate for instructional use can
seem like looking for the proverbial "needle in the
haystack." Here are some tips:
Part
6: Web Resources
The World Wide Web provides access to
hundreds of software companies and resources that assist
teachers in selecting appropriate software for their
classrooms.
The World Wide Web provides access to hundreds of
software companies and resources that assist teachers in
selecting appropriate software for their classrooms. Here
are a few links for you to explore:
Tom
Snyder Productions Educational Software Sunburst
Seven
Steps to Responsible Software Selection
http://www.netc.org/software/eric_software.html
A short ERIC Digest article on responsible software selection.
http://www.teachtsp.com/
Tom Snyder Productions markets over 80% of their products
to schools. They know their market and have make good
efforts to connect technology with learning.
http://www.sunburst.com/
Sunburst began producing software for Apple IIe
computers. They have a strong history in producing
quality products for K-12 students.