EDUC 784.1

Educational Software

Standards

Rubric

K-12 Educational Software Applications

An educational software is used to support teaching and learning of subject related content.

Interactive multimedia applications enrich the learning process by providing individualized instruction and explorations

Computer Assisted Instruction

Software designed to help teach facts, information and or skills associated with subject-related materials

Other names: CBI-Computer-based instruction CAL-Computer-aided learning

Drill & Practice Software

Software that first supplies factual information and then through repetitive exercises allows students to continue work on the specific materials to remember the information/skills

Effective for learning basic skills and remediation

Another name: Skills-reinforcement software

Educational Games Majority of educational games available as CD-Roms

or DVD-Roms and on the Web Usually has a set of rules and students can compete

against other students or the game itself. Carmen Sandiego- students chase Carmen Sandiego

around the world while learning geography, cultures, astronomy, music and history.

Tutorials

Teaching program designed to help individuals learn how to use a product or concept.

Many software products contain built-in tutorials to teach you how to use the software.

Educational Computer Simulations

Computerized model of real life that represents a physical or simulated process.

Offer learners the opportunity to manipulate variable that affect the outcomes of the experience

Simulations

SimCity, Sim Theme Park & Sim Coaster let students design, interact and provide more accurate explanations and examples of real life.

SimCity is very popular in education.

Applications for Students with Disabilities

Educational software offers unique advantage to students with physical impairments and learning disabilities

Visually impaired students benefit from the audio capabilities of multimedia applications as well as the use of graphics and large font sizes.

Hearing impaired students benefit from graphics, animation and videos.

Many software companies also offer closed captioning or sign language.

Educational Software

Creativity Software Allows students to start with a blank

canvas or templates and use their imaginations and ingenuity using the tools provided

Examples: Microsoft Office, Hyperstudio, Inspiration, Kidspiration, Photoshop, Kid Pix, Storybook Weaver, Adobe Photo Elements

Critical Thinking Software

Applications that stimulate students to use critical thinking skills in a variety of ways.

Students are often presented with a problem and a variety of ways to solve the problem.

Examples: Carmen Sandiego Series, Super Solvers Mission T.H.I.N.K., GeoSafari Series, Zoombini

Early Learning Software

Designed to provide students in grades K-3 with a development head start in reading, language arts, math, science and other curriculum areas.

Examples: Kidspiration, Millie’s Math House, Living Books Library, Sammy’s Science House, Jump Start Series, Reader Rabbit’s Reading

ESL/Foreign Language

Provide K-12 students with assistance in learning English and other languages.

Enable students to practice their skills in a non-threatening environment

Examples: English Express Deluxe, The Heartsoft BestSellers ESl Version

Language Arts Software

Available for all grades and supports student learning throughout the reading and writing process.

Examples: Reading Blaster, mPOwer, Cornerstone Reading, Orchard Reading

Math & Science Software

Math applications help students master basic and complex mathematics for all level.

Science applications assist students in learning a wide variety of science concepts. Multimedia science applications can assist

in mastering difficult or abstract concepts by providing a visual representation

Math & Science Software

Math: Math Advantage Series, Geometer Sketchpad, Math Blaster, Math Workshop Deluxe, Mighty Math, Tessallation Exploration, Mastering Algebra, Cornerstone Math

Science: Thinkin’ Science, The Ultimate Human Body, GeoSafari, Science Court

Social Studies Software

Encourages higher-order thinking skills, provide reinforcement of facts and allow students to define their own path.

History of the World, Oregon Trail, Timeliner, American History Series

Software Evaluation

Evaluate for appropriateness Review the accuracy of the content for its validity-most

important area Consider its relevance to the curriculum standards and goals Consider the technical support and documentation the software

offers Look at the ability or academic level How well does it present itself and how well it works-user-

friendliness Obtain student feedback

Technology Standards

http://www.iste.org/ http://www.iste.org/Content/

NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm

http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm

Rubrics

http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Assessments/Ideas_and_Rubrics/ideas_and_rubrics.html

http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/assess.html#rubrics

http://www.rubrician.com/ www.Rubistar.com

Software Evaluation Homework

Evaluate a software using the rubric Software recommendation list NETS standards/content Standards