5 important evaluation criteria:
1) Installation
Being practically technologically illiterate, I need something that is easy. First and foremost, one must install a program in order for it to work. I would need instructions written in the most elementary fashion in order to successfully install.
2) Help Features
I would need to know that there is an answer to any question I might have about the program. Often times, a help button is available, but provides no help at all. I want to be able to type in something as simple as one word and be given several options. The more words I type, the clearer the options should be. Then, if I could do it, I know that anyone else on this earth could do it.
3) Grade Level
Students learn at different paces. I wouldn’t necessarily want the program to be categorized by grade but by successful completion and interpretation. I could have a 12th grader working at a 10th grade pace. It wouldn’t be fair to have the 12th grader working on a 12th grade program. Sometimes we all have to take a step back and review. Maybe that’s all my 12th grader would need. He/she could then progress through the levels and eventually reach the same level as many of his/her peers.
4) Active Learning
If the student isn’t actually learning anything, it isn’t worth the time or money. School is about learning and progressing. Games can be played at home, educational activities to help build self-confidence and promote quality learning will be what I’d look for.
5) Hardware Compatibility/Cost
Most schools in my community are struggling and have outdated equipment. It’s hard to get funding for upgrades. Many schools are just trying to cope with bills and building upkeep. So, any program that I might choose would likely have to work in old equipment. In this case, I think that hardware compatibility and cost go hand in hand.
Academic Software Choices
Figures of Speech
This is a middle-high school program that isn’t grade specific and will help with skills in reading and writing.
Speedstudy – English Composition
This is a middle-high school program that isn’t grade specific and will help with the creation of writing projects.
Speedystudy – English Spelling
This is a middle-high school program that isn’t grade specific and will boost vocab and spelling skills without the comforts of spellcheck.
I completely agree with your ideas about the software being at certain levels especially for high school. I plan to teach elementary and I still think this is the case. The software should be versatile for several age groups or topics that can be addressed in a particular order as determined by the student's needs.
ReplyDeleteI also liked that you noted that you need technology that you can understand. I hadn't thought too much about that, but I guess that if the teacher can't help the students then they will have trouble figuring things out for themselves - particularly in elementary.
It is very important for software to be at age appropriate levels. If not you could either hold a child back or get them in over their head, I definitely agree with you! I also liked what you said about active learning, it's important that kids come to school with a learning mindset, but sometimes it's easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great post. I agree with everything you selected although I chose mine slightly different. Your evaluation tools are dead on what I think is important as well. Your post are always thorough and I enjoy reading them because we often have similar feelings or you cause me to rethink what I feel. Nice Job!
ReplyDeleteThe program Speedstudy- English Spelling appears to be a tool that I would love to use in my classroom as well. I personally like to write papers in Microsoft Word, but with the auto correct turned off, proofread and make sure that silly mistakes are caught, and then turn on spell check and grammar check as a final check instead of using it as the only check.
ReplyDelete