Appendix N
These software reviews were written in requirement of EDU
553. I was able to evaluate current
software to determine their usefulness in an educational setting. The
development of these software reviews shows my understanding of the following elements from
the NETS-T, CTTC, and CCCT.
NETS-T I.a, I.b, II.a, II.c, II.d, II.e, V.a, V.b
CTTC I.a, I.c, II.e
CCCT 1.1,
1.2, 1.5, 2.3, 2.4
Software Review - #1
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software-
Microsoft Word
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? (often found in About ... under the
Help menu) Microsoft
Corporation 1983-1999
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Any age student
4. What software
category best describes the software? Productivity Tool - word processor
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? Writing/LA, Social Studies, Science
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? Any standard in the Connecticut
Frameworks can apply to the use of this program. But a few could include: 7. Communications Systems Students will understand and be able to
effectively
apply physical, graphic and
electronic communications techniques in processing, transmitting, receiving and
organizing information.
8. Production Systems Students will understand and be able
to demonstrate
the methods
involved in turning raw materials into
usable
products.
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? Students become reliant on the spell
and grammar check and often times neglect the editing and revising aspects of
writing. These components can be
blocked out, but the majority of students are adept enough with computers to
reactivate these features.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? The most obvious way this program would be used is for word
processing. Students use this program
to type research papers, stories, expository writing, or science labs. This program could also be used to devise
self-teaching interactive student activities in nearly any subject area. The teacher can design a lesson and
activities with text and graphics, and the students would complete these
lessons using Word. They could then
save it to a personal folder for corrections and teacher feedback. For example, I helped to create a 36-lesson
grammar unit that integrates grammar and word processing skills. This unit parallels the fifth grade
curriculum.
Software Review - #2
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
Microsoft PowerPoint
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Microsoft Corporation, 1987-1999
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Any age student
4. What software
category best describes the software? - Productivity Tool - presentations
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? All academic subject areas
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? - Any standard in the Connecticut
Frameworks can apply to the use of this program. But a few could include: 7. Communications Systems Students will understand and be able to
effectively
apply physical, graphic and
electronic communications techniques in processing, transmitting, receiving and
organizing information.
8. Production Systems Students will understand and be able
to demonstrate
the methods
involved in turning raw materials into usable products.
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? This program is not specifically
designed for children. Some students may
have difficulty using the software effectively, and it could detract from the
main points of their projects.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? Teachers are able to present subject area concepts visually to
students. The slide show format makes
it easy to present topics and ideas in an organized, sequential manner. Another effective way to use this program is
through the creation of presentations that are self-teaching student programs
that allow students to review concepts presented in class. These programs afford the opportunity for
remediation for students that need it.
It also allows for absent students to catch up on missed work
effectively. This program also makes it
easy for teachers to post PowerPoint presentations on the Web, so students can
access class notes or lectures at home to review with parents. Students are also able to make their own
presentations to demonstrate knowledge of a researched topic.
Software Review - #3
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
- How the West was 1+3x4
2. who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Sunburst 1998-2005
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Grade 4-8 students
4. What software
category best describes the software? Games and Simulations
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? Math
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? Math
standard 5-12 Create and solve multi-step problems
and explore order of operations in the context of practical situations. Technology standard- As a result of education in Grades K-12, students will: safely and
effectively use resources, processes, concepts and tools of technology;
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? There is a way that you can check to
see what the best moves are before making them.
Some students use
that component as an easy way to complete the game without serious
thought. I know of know way to disable
this feature. Because of this option, this program cannot be used as an
evaluative tool without close supervision.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? Students select an appropriate skill level if competing against the
computer. Students can also compete
against other students. This program can be used as a way to practice evaluating
number sentences and the use of parentheses with different Mathematical
operations. Students are highly
motivated and are engaged while playing this game. This game is excellent for students needing to better learn math
facts.
Software Review - #4
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
- Imagination Express -
Destination Rainforest
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Edmark Corporation, 1996
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Students age 6-12
4. What software
category best describes the software? Research Database/Productivity Tool
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? Writing, Reading, and Science
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? Technology
standard: Students will
understand and be able to effectively apply physical, graphic and electronic
communications techniques in processing, transmitting, receiving and organizing
information.
Science Standard: 4.2 All
organisms depend on the living and non-living features of the environment for
survival.
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? In this program, students create
scenes by using a large variety of pictures.
These include people, animals, plant life, and background scenery. They are then to write about these scenes
theyve created. Students occasionally
become very wrapped-up in creating the scenes, and dont focus enough on their
writing.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? This program is used as both a research tool and an electronic book
creator. Students have an opportunity
to get topic ideas for writing. While
students write their e-book, they are able to access a fact book that enables
them to research and gain data about the people, animals, plant life, and
environment of their topic.
Software Review - #5
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
Planetary Taxi
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Voyager Company, 1998
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Students between the ages of 8 and 14
4. What software
category best describes the software? Games and Simulations/Research
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? Science- Solar System
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? Science
Standard: 5.3 most objects in the solar system are
in a regular and predictable motion. Technology Standard: As a result of
education in Grades K-12, students will: safely and effectively use
resources, processes, concepts and tools of technology;
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? Students are unable to print any graphics or data from
the program.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? There two ways to use this program academically. First, you can use this program to research
all planets in the solar system.
Students gain data through listening, and through visual components like
graphs, charts, photographs, and video.
Secondly, students gain and review data by playing a motivational game
involving simulated space travel.
Software Review - #6
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
- Inspiration
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Inspiration Software, Inc. 1999-2004
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Students age 10-18
4. What software
category best describes the software? Productivity Tool
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? Writing
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? - Technology
Standard: Students will understand and be able
to effectively apply physical, graphic and electronic communications techniques
in processing, transmitting, receiving and organizing information. Language
Arts Standard :organize
and synthesize information from multiple sources.
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? When brainstorming ideas for writing,
students usually write down ideas quickly on paper as they think of them. When using this software, some students may
get sidetracked by the technical aspects of the program, and lose some of their
thoughts or ideas. Paper and pencil
brainstorming is generally more fluent.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? This program provides a way for students to organize their thoughts
through the use of a variety of graphic organizers. With one click of a button, they can also convert their graphic
organizers to outlines. This gives
teachers the opportunity to use this as a tool to teach students about outlines
and their connections to writing.
Software Review - #7
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
Carmen Sandiego Word
Detective?
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Broderbund - 1997
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Students ages 8-14
4. What software
category best describes the software? Games and Simulations
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? Language Arts
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? Technology Standard: As a result of
education in Grades K-12, students will: safely and effectively use
resources, processes, concepts and tools of technology; LA
Standard: Use correct
grammar in speaking and writing.
7. What reservations would you have
about using this software
package? None, having used this program for many
years, I have found no concerns about the use of this package.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? This program contains word puzzles, stories and games that focus on
spelling, grammar and vocabulary, as well as alphabetizing, and dictionary and
reference skills. Teachers can even insert their own spelling words from their weekly lists
for students to practice with.
Software Review - #8
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
Amazing Writing Machine
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Broderbund - 1994
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Students in grades 1-5
4. What software
category best describes the software? Productivity Tools
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? Technology
Standard: Students will understand and be able
to effectively apply physical, graphic and electronic communications techniques
in processing, transmitting, receiving and organizing information. LA Standard: Write to specific audiences to
entertain, inform, explain, persuade and delight the imagination.
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? In certain parts of the program, a
student name and password are required.
If these are not exact, the student cannot get it. Students regularly forget exact name used or
password and lose all their work.
Teachers should be sure to record student user names and passwords.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? This program is excellent for students to keep a daily journal as the
program automatically dates and times each student entry. It gives examples of different writing
genres and motivates students to create original writing in any genre
available. It motivates students
through the use of many different types of scenery and graphics that can be
used during the student writings.
Software Review - #9
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
Microsoft Excel
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Microsoft- 1985-1999
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Any age student
4. What software
category best describes the software? Productivity Tool
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? All subject areas
6. What standard(s) from
the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? - Any standard in the Connecticut
Frameworks can apply to the use of this program. But a few could include: 7. Communications Systems Students will understand and be able to effectively
apply physical, graphic and
electronic communications techniques in processing, transmitting, receiving and
organizing information.
8. Production Systems Students will understand and be able to demonstrate
the methods
involved in turning raw materials into
usable
products.
7. what reservations
would you have about using this software package? Excel is not specifically designed
with children in mind. There are
programs out there that make graphing easier than excel. Some students may have a hard time learning
to use this complicated program effectively.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? Excel is a comprehensive program that enables students to make, tables,
graphs, and charts that display data about their topic. Students can be encouraged to display
research findings or experimental data by using excel. For example, I have students measure the
angle between the sun and the horizon several times a year. Near the end of the year, they make several
graphs displaying their finding by using excel for their final project.
Software Review -
#10
Reviewer: Bob Ives
1. Name of Software
SimCity 4
2. Who publishes the
software and what year was it developed? Electronic Arts, 2003
3. Who would be the
intended audience for its use in your educational setting? Students from grades 5-12
4. What software
category best describes the software? Games and simulations
5. What subject
matter might be enhanced by using this software? Social Studies and Science
6. What standard(s)
from the CT frameworks might be fulfilled using this software package? Social
Studies Standards: Students will
demonstrate how the exchange of goods and services by individuals, groups and
nations create economic interdependence and change; Students will demonstrate
that various economic systems coexist, and that economic decisions are made by
individuals and/or governments, influenced by markets, cultural traditions,
individuals and governments in the allocation of goods and services; Students
will use geographic tools and technology to explain the interactions of humans
and the larger environment, and the evolving consequences of those
interactions; Students will interpret spatial patterns of human migration,
economic activities and political units in Connecticut, the nation and the
world. Students will explain that political systems emanate from the need of humans
for order, leading to compromise and the establishment of authority.
7. What reservations
would you have about using this software package? This game is extremely complicated,
as one would guess by the 87-page instruction manual. Students, even on the easiest level, could be overwhelmed by the
complicated nature of this game. It is
difficult to develop a successful city and students could become discouraged.
8. How would you
recommend the software package be used? This game would help students learn about politics, mayoral duties,
landscapes, natural disasters, taxes, governmental duties, and so much
more. It does all this in a fun and
highly motivational way. Students love
to play this during free lab time, and they hardly realize how much they are
learning about the decisions that local government officials are faced with
every day.