PDF - Boise State University
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1. and automaticity 2 Ancillary materials not available Since this is a typing program print materials are not as appropriate as for other types of software 3 Pre Assessment is not included disagree on Windows version but is included agree in the online version 4 Lack of Help screens software is intuitive and related information can be found in the Users Manual 5 Accessibility features Lack of ability to enlarge window for lessons makes this software difficult or impossible to use by students with vision impairments Tactile keyboard and alternate instruction may be needed for those students Evaluator Susan Ferdon Date October 15 20102. levels Provides opportunity to review and practice skills Provides immediate feedback Branches based on student response Work can be saved LIXIXIXIKI CX Requires use of higher level thinking Ancillary materials are available i e worksheets activity pages O OUL OUUULILI Xd IIL ILI Disagree O UTIL Agree COMMENTS Sound alert in PC version red strike on error Branching Entire drill lesson is used if mistakes are made lesson duration is shortened if good progress is made Optimal Duration Weaknesses are determined based on accuracy and speed and are immediately addressed with extra training Satellite feature enables software to monitor typing done in other programs then save words that are used often and have mistakes to make personalized exercises A variety of security settings are available within Satellite which allow confidential information to be excluded Subject Matter Content Strongly Disagree Agree Aligns with district curriculum Objectives are clear Content is educational There is a sufficient amount of content Information is current and accurate Positive reviews from credible sources a OOUULLLI CIID Disagree KILIEILILILIE Agree LILLIE XI strongiy Subject matter is age grade appropriate COMMENTS Touch typing One goal is to not look at keyboard but for lessons onscreen keybo
3. EDTECH 554 FA10 Susan Ferdon Session Six Software Evaluation Rubric Collaborators Susan Ferdon and Steve Poast Task The principal at your building is aware you are in Boise State s Ed Tech Master s program She was just given the opportunity to apply for a grant that will fund site licenses for three new software applications for the building She would like you to develop a rubric that will provide clear and comprehensive criteria for judgment of this new software The funding for this grant is negotiable Your job is to provide her that rubric Unfortunately the deadline for the grant is approaching So you and a partner will design an original rubric that she can use to justify her selections for this grant She must have the final copy in three weeks Your rubric must include the following 1 You must highlight clear and comprehensive criteria to score the software 2 You will sample two different software applications and evaluate them to the rubric you designed The principal has requested this so she can demonstrate to the board this rubric is clearly thought out 3 You must include a reference list for the software reviewed and research used Introduction Users of this tool created using Word enter product information and respond to statements describing software characteristics The use of checkboxes and expanding form fields are intended to make the tool flexible and easy to use When used as a stand alone tool t
4. ard is visible which shows starting key and highlights which finger to use for each keystroke It appears to be possible to complete the lessons without actually knowing the letters you are typing Onscreen keyboard is not visible for Typing Tests All content is delivered via text and visuals not appropriate for emerging readers ELL or those with reading difficulties There is a version available which includes English Spanish French German Dutch Swedish and Finnish Content includes 9 hours of lessons practice plus games tests and review Additional course six instead of five available with online and Intranet versions of the program Progress Monitoring Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Assessment is aligned with learning objectives LI Pre Assessment is included Post Assessment is included Monitors and records student progress and time on task LI Teacher reports are comprehensive LI Student Parent reports are comprehensive OUO LI L L L Xx O Disagree LILLIE Agree KIX COMMENTS Pre Test is included in online version but not Windows download Teacher reports include time on task percentage correct wpm and item analysis Online and Intranet versions track student progress Computer based version tracks single user data and can be networked with teacher reports included Text files plain text may be added for use as Typ
5. clear and easy to follow Navigation is age grade appropriate Menus can be accessed from any point in the program Help options are available throughout Accessibility features are present speech text keyboard commands Students can use the program independently LO OU HO Woo J LI LLL disagree POI Agree LOU UI COMMENTS Presentation Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Visuals are attractive and relate to content Audio is clear Graphics audio video and or animations enhance instruction Graphics audio video and or animations are age appropriate Text is legible and print size is appropriate Spelling punctuation and grammar are correct Bug free program loads and runs without error Options can be adjusted and turned on off sound effects volume etc Program is engaging enjoyable LK OOO io LO OO E 0 do LJ CI Oy A L LL Disagree O O UO I LL Agree O O OOO A 0 AL COMMENTS Support Not Applicable Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree User s Manual is comprehensive and clearly written Teacher s Guide includes suggestions for classroom use lesson plans and related activities Ly LI Ly LI L I L IL Disagree LI LI LJ Agree A A L Technical support is available online COMMENTS Associated Costs and Services In
6. ed on off sound effects volume etc OO JOO OO KL LO OO 6 0 do I CO CL L EI IL Disagree BI I LIRI xt Bd LIEI Agree O O KOL A A X Program is engaging enjoyable COMMENTS PC Version Color and contrast is good yet bland The only audio is alert sounds for page changes and errors Page layout is consistent and menu navigation is easy to follow Visuals are limited to photograph of hands fingers with blue dots to indicate which to use for the next keystroke and diagram of keyboard Font is difficult to read both in the program and the online manual Online Version Excellent use of color with keys and fingers color coded i e index finger and related keys are purple middle finger red etc Easy to read font and image font size can be enlarged using zoom commands for menu screens though not for lessons The first time loading lessons may be slow but not overly so Subsequent page loads are faster Games are much more engagning in newer online version different games better graphics and sound is included All Versions No audio video or animations except for sound alerts in Windows version all information is text based Tutorials would benefit from visuals representing good posture and hand postion as opposed to text description alone Highlighting of current word letter and fade out of words already typed aids in tracking Options are limited sound effects on off wpm vs kpm bu
7. he Word document is locked which allows the user to check boxes and enter text without danger of accidentally altering the form When locked form fields are shaded which provides emphasis needed for new users to become aware of the various places where text may be added While text field content is somewhat difficult to read in this mode shading is not present when the document is printed or saved as a PDF Pages that follow include images of the blank template as would be seen by one using the Word document and the evaluation of two pieces of software using this tool Resources that were reviewed prior to the design and development of this software evaluation instrument may be found in the reference section at the end of the document Educational Software Evaluation Instrument Susan Ferdon and Steven Poast 2010 Product Information Title Date of Copyright Publisher Cost URL Subject Area Hardware Requirements Operating System Grade Level Memory Browser Requirements Format check all that apply CD ROM DVD Internet Download Online Cloud Educational Focus check all that apply Drill and Practice __ Game _ simulation _ Productivity Problem Solving Tutorial Reference Classroom Application Usage check all that apply Individual Small group Large Group one computer one computer display on screen SENEI Educational Purpose Not Applicable Strongly Disagree S
8. ing Tests which provides more individualized learning assessment as well as variety from which to choose Online Version Groups and users can be set with at a glance view as well as detailed reports Ease of Use Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Student log in process is simple Screen directions are clear and easy to follow Navigation is age grade appropriate Menus can be accessed from any point in the program Help options are available throughout Accessibility features are present speech text keyboard commands O OUL O ALI I ACLL Disagree LI LIRIKI Agree O ALRK Students can use the program independently FJ EJ VE EX IL COMMENTS Most appropriate for older students and adults No help screens though there is an online User Manual Junior Typing Course available for users ages 8 12 which is largely the same Tutorial text and exercises somewhat more brief in Junior version Presentation Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Visuals are attractive and relate to content Audio is clear Graphics audio video and or animations enhance instruction Graphics audio video and or animations are age appropriate Text is legible and print size is appropriate Spelling punctuation and grammar are correct Bug free program loads and runs without error Options can be adjusted and turn
9. itial purchase price of software Purchase price of hardware necessary to operate program list type make model number needed and price per unit Add on costs additional features Estimated cost for future upgrades Training costs initial or continuous COMMENTS Recommendation Briefly describe why you would would not recommend this software Evaluator Date References Children s software evaluation instrument 1998 Children s Technology Review Retrieved from http api ning com files Y GIl60C OQwuUhumL 63bL40OabN7uJSZEEol AsbLDhu1dW9e7FJLCB12FrZAZ 6 F OkfvD8MZsXcb7IdFdE 60EvAQs k4FgFy c tr_software_evaluation pdf Craig C F n d Teachers software evaluation rubric Retrieved from http www celestecraig us teacher 20evaluation htm Computer software evaluation form n d Retrieved from http waynesville k12 mo us fileadmin wps home District Media software_eval_fo rm pdf Criteria for evaluating computer courseware n d Retrieved from http www evalutech sreb org criteria courseware asp Elementary School Success Computer software Renton WA TOPICS Entertainment Inc EMC300 Software evaluation form n d Retrieved from http seamonkey ed asu edu emc300 software evalform html Schrock K 2007 Software evaluation form Retrieved from http kathyschrock net 1computer page4 htm Software Evaluation Center Software vendor evaluation form n d Retrieved from h
10. r two years 298 per yearsave 195 or 750 for three years 250 per year save 435 Purchase price of hardware necessary to operate program list type make model number needed and price per unit none Add on costs additional features none Estimated cost for future upgrades Online Always up to date no revisions needed For network and Intranet versions most recent version may be downloaded apparently at no additional cost Training costs initial or continuous none COMMENTS District pricing is also available based on number of schools Licences are transferable as one user finishes studies the licence transfers to the next user The number of licences purchased need only be the maximum number of students that will use it at any given point in time Briefly describe why you would would not recommend this software Upon determiniation that cost is competitive to similar products would recommend the online and Intranet versions of this software Progress monitoring is comprehensive and branching allows for differentiation based on demonstrated skills Preponderance of Agree and Strongly Agree scores reflect the overall strength of this typing program Three areas marked Disagree for the PC Windows version are rated higher Agree for the online version The remaining areas marked Disagree are as follows 1 Requires use of higher level thinking drill and practice software goal is skill development
11. t can be adjusted Limited color visuals and difficult to read font make PC version less engaging Disagree score than online version Agree score gt 8 gt Support P e 2 52 2 a 5D na O lt N lt User s Manual is comprehensive and clearly written Ld ILI IE Ed Xl Teacher s Guide includes suggestions for classroom use lesson plans and related activities lt L E L Technical support is available online LJ ILI Ed xX Ee COMMENTS Online Users Manual includes detailed information as well as screen shots from the program to illustrate points made No Teachers Guide is included through there is general information for teachers included in the Users Manual Online contact forms specific to each version are available as is an online forum The online forum lists overwhelmingly favorable feedback One post listed ways that students could cheat but support personnel reported how each of the cheats affected the newer version could not cheat the new version Answers to forum questions are timely and comprehensive Initial purchase price of software 39 90 for one workstation Windows 5 licences 119 10 licences 199 20 licences 299 30 licences 369 50 licences 469 1 school 549 2 or more schools contact vendor Online version starts at 24 90 for single user Online is yearly subscription based on number of users schools Standard School is 395 for 12 months 595 fo
12. trongly Agree Allows for differentiation multiple skill ability levels Provides opportunity to review and practice skills Provides immediate feedback Branches based on student response OUL OUL OUL pisagree OUL Agree OUL Work can be saved Requires use of higher level thinking Ancillary materials are available i e worksheets activity pages O O O COMMENTS Subject Matter Content Strongly Disagree Agree Aligns with district curriculum Objectives are clear Content is educational There is a sufficient amount of content Information is current and accurate Positive reviews from credible sources Subject matter is age grade appropriate ee ee Ly OLLOLLU Disagree O OULUI Agree Strongly COMMENTS Progress Monitoring Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Assessment is aligned with learning objectives LI LI Pre Assessment is included Post Assessment is included Monitors and records student progress and time on task Teacher reports are comprehensive Student Parent reports are comprehensive OUCCOLILI OLLI L L L L LJ Disagree OUUULILI Agree OLLI COMMENTS Ease of Use Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Student log in process is simple Screen directions are
13. ttp www software evaluation co uk software_vendor_evaluation htm TypingMaster Pro Typing Tutor 7 01 Computer software Helsinki Finland TypingMaster Finland Inc Retrieved from http www typingmaster com education Educational Software Evaluation Instrument Susan Ferdon and Steven Poast 2010 Product Information Title TypingMaster Pro Typing Tutor version 7 01 Date of Copyright 2009 Windows Intranet 2010 Online Publisher TypingMaster Finland Inc Cost Pricing dependent on number of workstations URL http www typingmaster com education Subject Area Computer Hardware Requirements 800 x 600 display resolution Applications or better Operating System Windows 98 ME 2000 XP Vista 7 Grade Level Middle School Mac OS X Linux Solaris and above Memory Browser Requirements Internet Explorer 5 0 or greater Firefox 1 0 or greater Opera 7 or greater or other Java 1 2 or ActiveX capable browser Format check all that apply X CD ROM DVD Xx Internet Download Xx Online Cloud Educational Focus check all that apply bx Drill and Practice X Game _ simulation _ Productivity Problem Solving X Tutorial E Reference Classroom Application Usage check all that apply x Individual Small group Large Group one computer one computer display on screen Evaluation Educational Purpose Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Allows for differentiation multiple skill ability
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