CEdO515-SoftEval-Group A : CEdO515-SoftEval-Group A Three Evaluation Tools
Trish
Michelle
Lenn
Sarah
Software Evaluation Methods Researched : Software Evaluation Methods Researched SunPrairieSchoolDistrictSoftwareEvaluationForm
Children'sSoftwareEvaluationInstrument fromChildren'sTechnologyReview
VitalKnowledgeOnlineSoftwareEvaluationForm
Sun Prairie Software Overview : Sun Prairie Software Overview Includes general cost and licenscing options
Offers three comparison options:
California Instructional Technology Clearinghouse
Children's Software Review
Other
Requires:
Rationale for purchase
Standards Addressed by Software
Benchmarks Addressed by Software
Other Considerations
Options apart from purchase of the software
District software that might be used instead of requested software
Children's Software Evaluation Instrumentfrom Children's Technology Review : Children's Software Evaluation Instrumentfrom Children's Technology Review Focuses on what it takes to create " quality children's software title"
Divided into six categories--ease of use, childproof, educational, entertaining, design features, and value--with oodles of sub-categories (55 total)
Each of the subcateogries is assigned a value by the evaluator
1 for always
.5 for some extent
0 for never
N.A. for not averaged
important to use this rating as all software aren't able to be justly rated as a, se, or n
Find the mean value of each category to change the values to a 1 to 5 star rating
4 rating or higher suggested
We Chose The Vital Knowledge Evaluation : We Chose The Vital Knowledge Evaluation Ability to rate each individual aspect of the software
Cumulative score gives the evaluator a rating for the software
Text fields to describe or make comments on each area
Holistic view of software
Evaluation of Educational Value : Evaluation of Educational Value Looks at if the software:
will meet educational and curriculum objectives.
is consistent with sound teaching principles, learning, cognition.
provides the use of higher order thinking skills (top of Bloom's Taxonomy).
is free of biases.
has good directions
responds to the learner's own rate of learning.
graphics do not detract from the program's educational intentions.
provides meaninful feedback
changes with the child's ability and challenges them.
can be used in more than one content area or covers more than one content area.
Entertainment Value Evaluation : Entertainment Value Evaluation Looks at the software is/has:
Enjoyable for student use
Meaningful and enjoyable graphics
Appeals to a wide audience
Enjoyable and meaningful theme
Student reponsive software
Meaningful speech and sound provided
Ease of Use Evaluation : Ease of Use Evaluation Looks at if the sofware is:
Developmently appropriate for the students.
Easily navigated through by the students.
Easily understood by the teacher to use as a tool
Design Features Evaluation : Design Features Evaluation Looks at if the software is/has:
Capacity to print
Keeps a record of student's work
Keeps a history of student use
Records the history and progress of the whole class
Free of violence and violent characters
Design contains uncluttered realistic graphics
Runs quickly and operates consistently w/o freezing
Appropriate hardware capabilities utilized (keyboard, mouse, printer, etc)
Sound can be adjusted or muted
Teacher evaluation options are easy to find and use
Value Evaluation : Value Evaluation Looks at if the sofware:
price is competitive
doesn't require buying more hardware.
does not require extensive teacher training.
can be applied to a wide range of topics.
can be easily used over a network and/or a desktop computer.
Package Integrity Evaluation : Package Integrity Evaluation Looks at the package as a whole to that it/has:
Clearly states the educational objectives of the software.
Clearly states the age appropriateness for the software.
Gives system requirements.
Clearly states skills addressed in software.
How to Evaluate the Software Based on the Score : How to Evaluate the Software Based on the Score Each component receives a value of 1-5, five being best, 1 being worst. Certain areas are weighted higher than others and each section is calculated by adding each component and multiplying by a value (the more important it is, the higher the multiplier).
Highest possible scores for each section:
Educational Value = 150
Entertainment Value = 60
East of Use = 165
Design = 100
Value = 50
Package Integrity = 30
Total Ranking of Software:
444-555 Excellent
333-443 Good
222-332 Average
111-221 Below Average
0-110 Unacceptable
Final Comments : Final Comments Overall the team felt that The Vital Knowledge Evaluation is the best because it seems to be the most efficient tool to complete. Also, this tool is very comprehensive.
We think that we would give a criteria that does not apply as a high score. The online use and automatic calculation of the score is convenient.
We did debate as to how to handle individual pieces that were not applicable, ie. should we give it a 5, a 0, or a 3.