Melanie+McCain

Melanie McCain Educational Software Evaluation September 17, 2011

The purpose of Sibelius Groovy is to teach the very basics of music such as rhythm and pitch to elementary school age students. There are three levels, the first I would use for kindergarten and 1st grade, the next for 2nd and 3rd grade, and the last for 4th and 5th grade. This program uses tutorial, simulation and instructional game categories, depending on what part of the software the students are using. They can choose to “explore” and be guided through exercises, or “create” and practice what they’ve learned on their own. I would use this program in my classroom, as maybe a center, in a rotation. I would have some students working on this while other students work on other centers. Perhaps, it could also be used a reward day kind of game. I would use it for the younger students, maybe through 3rd grade. This program seems to be fun for the kids. It allows them to learn the basics of music without really having to deal with musical notes because they are using shapes and animals to represent sounds and rhythms. This can be a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. Some students are overwhelmed by having to learn a whole new system of reading, as well as what it means. It might be easier to convert to music after learning the basics through this program. The bad side is that it might be harder for some to convert without having worked with notes the whole time. However, this program lets them see the actual musical notation if they choose to, and that can be helpful in the conversion. The software can be kind of pricy, especially when music budgets are dwindling. Five copies of all three of the programs for the classroom is $796.50. It can be purchased online through a website call Avid, which seems to specialize in music software. [] The system requirements for Sibelius Groovy are Windows 98/2000/XP or later, Mac OSx10.2 processor or faster. There are compatibility notes for Windows Vista.
 * 1a) Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? **
 * 1b) List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. **
 * 1c) Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? **
 * 1d) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? **
 * 1e) What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? Provide a web link to a manufacturer or retailer? What are the system requirements of the software? **

The purpose of “Soft Way to Mozart” is to learn to play piano, as well as read music and learn very basic music theory and aural skills. There are grade levels from K-8 or ages 6 to 12. It looks like this program uses mostly tutorial, and then practice and drill. When learning a skill like the piano, repetition is important. It teaches music theory through instructional games. I would use this during a general music class, maybe in middle school, after students have had a chance to get basic music reading under their belts. Students who are more serious about music, and would take it as an elective in middle school would need piano background to understand more complex music theory. Piano would be a main basic in learning theory, not only learning how to play the piano. One of the weaknesses might be the amount of music theory that goes along with learning to play the piano. I’m not sure how extensive that is. Learning to play the piano just by reading the music is not a bad thing however a lot is missed without understanding the reasons for the music. However, it seems to be a good program for teaching the piano, and how to use both hands and play standard music literature for the piano at this level. The cost of the program varies, depending on which one you purchase. It can be bought as an online membership for a certain amount of months, or you can buy a solid copy, and then renew your membership to that copy after the time runs out. It seems like the best deal for the classroom setting would be the Soft Way to Mozart Group. You can purchase up to 5 units at about $5 per month and it comes with instructional material such as sheet music and piano charts. These are $299 dollars each. It can be purchased from the Soft Way to Mozart website [] =. The program will run on a PC running Windows 7, Vista, XP, ME, or 98, and a Mac OSx10.3.9 or better.
 * 2a) Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? **
 * 2b) List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. **
 * 2c) Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? **
 * 2d) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? **
 * 2e) What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? Provide a web link to a manufacturer or retailer? What are the system requirements of the software? **

The purpose of Practica Musica is to teach music theory to beginners that are a little older, I would say in high school or college. It doesn’t use a lot of cute little games to gain the attention of its students like you would need for younger children. There is a just basics method, I would use with middle school. The other programs would be great for a music theory or aural skills class in secondary music, especially high school and beyond. From what I can tell, this program uses a tutorial and drill and practice style. There might even be some problem solving used once the higher levels are reached. I would use this program as a homework practice for students in music classes in high school, especially band and choir since those classes usually don’t have as much time in class to complete things like music theory. They are more focused on learning performance material, and this program can enhance that. Knowing the theory and aural skills can make learning a piece of music so much easier. The strengths of this program are many. You can choose what courses you would like to learn before ordering the program. There is a version for beginners just learning, or for students that have been reading music before. There is also a version that prepares students for the AP music theory test. This is useful for high school students looking to pursue music in college, and will then be able to test out of very basic college music theory courses. It also comes with a text book that follows the digital program, and this can be very useful for teachers in the classroom. The best option for teachers when ordering this software would be the site edition with 3-year license. It includes 30 student copies with the digital textbooks to accompany them. After 3 years, teachers just renew their license and continue teaching. Online versions are also easy to update if the software advances over time. The cost of this option id $850.00 and would be a great investment for 30 students and 3 years. It can be ordered at Ars Nova Software website []. The system requirements for this program are Windows 98/2000/XP or later, Mac OSx10.2 processor or faster
 * 3a) Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? **
 * 3b) List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. **
 * 3c) Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? **
 * 3d) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? **
 * 3e) What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? Provide a web link to a manufacturer or retailer? What are the system requirements of the software? **

A program that I am familiar with myself, are the Jump-Start programs. There is one for every grade level from preschool to 6th grade. They cover many areas of learning, depending on the grade level, math, reading, problem solving, and other subjects like history, astronomy, science etc. They also have specialized programs sorted by grade level, such as math, reading, and keyboarding skills. These products use mostly simulation, instructional game, and problem solving techniques. They are a lot of fun, while learning, and seem more like a game to the kids than following a strict curriculum. I would use these programs as a reward time, or a supplemental time in the classroom. I would use them in all the grades of elementary school. These programs cover so many areas, that as a supplemental activity, I would let the students play and explore whichever games they like the best. Or perhaps, if I want them to work on a particular skill, I can direct them to work on a specific game at a specific difficulty level. The strengths of these programs are that they are a lot of fun. Kids will want to play them all the time, and it will be easy to get them to work on the skills that the games hone. They also cover a lot of different subjects, giving kids a basic knowledge in a well-rounded number of areas. One weakness is that the programs don’t necessarily follow a strict curriculum, but then again, that could be the reason they appeal to the kids so well. I used to play these programs at home and at school and I loved them. The cost of these programs is actually very reasonable. A teacher or school can get unlimited access to the network of these programs for $700.00. It can be purchased online through knowledge adventure school’s website []. The system requirements for these programs are Windows 98 to Windows XP
 * 4a) Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? **
 * 4b) List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. **
 * 4c) Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? **
 * 4d) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? **
 * 4e) What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? Provide a web link to a manufacturer or retailer? What are the system requirements of the software? **

I found an online website called IXL that allows students to work on math skills. There are appropriate lessons for all grade levels, Kindergarten through basic algebra, and they are in the process of adding geometry and trigonometry as well. This software uses drill and practice, tutorial, and problem solving methods in practicing math techniques. I would use this program as a supplement to practice the math that I teach them in the classroom. I would use it at any grade level, although, I plan to be an elementary school teacher. We could use lab time to practice the skills they are learning in the classroom every day. One of the downfalls is that this is an online program, so if there is a problem with the internet, or there is no internet available, the students wouldn’t be able to access the program. On the plus side, however, if the students do have internet access at home, they can also practice these math skills away from the classroom. Another plus to this program is that it covers so many different topics at every grade level. Students can work at their own pace if they need to. The cost of this program is $199.00 per class. It can be downloaded from the IXL website [|http://www.ixl.com]. The requirements to run the program are internet access through Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8, 9, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or for Mac, Safari 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, Mozilla Firefox, or Google Chrome. They will also need Adobe Flash Player, which can be downloaded online as well.
 * 5a) Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? **
 * 5b) List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. **
 * 5c) Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? **
 * 5d) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? **
 * 5e) What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? Provide a web link to a manufacturer or retailer? What are the system requirements of the software? **