Valerie+Clementi

Comparison of Technical Educational Tools Merit Software Company


 * 1) 1. Merit Software’s Reading Skill Builder is the first software I looked at. Its purpose is to find deficiencies in readers, based on answers given to a variety of short readings.
 * 2) 2. I would consider this software an instructional game.
 * 3) 3. Possibly, this program could be used once a week in class to measure progress of a student’s comprehension and vocabulary. I am operating on the premise that there will not be a computer for each student and visits to the computer will have to be rotated in the classroom. I plan on reading short stories in class and develop close reading skills, this would be an excellent break from that but emphasize the same point, reading for content. This software would be beneficial at a middle school level for slow to mid level readers. It is advertized for grades 3-9, with three levels in each grouping. From the demonstration, this software measures vocabulary, sequence, factual recall, textual evidence and main idea. Difficulty is progressive. Answers are given immediately as well as an explanation.
 * 4) 4. Strengths are that it seems fun and challenging. It may start off easy, but if you are answering correctly, the questions get harder. The facts are interesting and could add to the learning. The program offers teacher tracking as well as student tracking. And there is a home version that is very reasonable that parents could buy to help further. Weakness, as I think with all software, is that it gets tedious and is difficult to ‘mix up’ the activity.
 * 5) 5. Cost is broken down into per student use and can be used for three months or one year. For 100 to 249 students and two levels of software plus tech support (offered for free) the cost is $13.00 per student for one year. System requirements are few. This software program works on Mac’s, Window’s and Linux systems and is actually an on line program, so there is no software to install or update. Their website is [|http://www.meritsoftware.com]

River Deep
 * 1) 1. Destination Reading Course IV for Middle School is a program aligned with national and state standards to improve reading skills. This program is designed to work with a traditional classroom as well as a technology based learning approach.
 * 2) 2. Although this software program has a drill and practice component, I would find it more helpful to engage the instructional game portion.
 * 3) 3. The aspect of this program that stands out is the variety of genre available to work into various types of readings. For example, from poetry to graphic novels to speeches and interviews. This would make it easy to bring into almost any topic of study.
 * 4) 4. The strengths of this program include the wide range of genres and CD’s as well as on line course work, plus tech support. The weakness for this program might be the training involved as it is a very intense program.
 * 5) 5. System requirements are minimal and it works on Mac’s and Windows as old as Windows 98. Prices for this program are $499.00 for the school edition, but a call must be place to find prices for lab work, portal and school network. The web link is [|http://web.riverdeep.net]

Lexia Learning


 * 1) 1. This on line program is designed to build reading skills at all levels.
 * 2) 2. This is definitely drill and practice, as far as I can see, but there is not a demo offered through the web site.
 * 3) 3. Programs like this are very intensive in appearance and I think would require a very technological availability in the classroom (a computer for every student).
 * 4) 4. Weakness include not being able to review anything other than comments from other users, there was no demo for this program on the web site and nothing about the web site seemed very inviting or friendly. But one benefit is that students could log in from school or home. Strengths would appear to be that the program can be geared specifically to each student to meet only their needs and could grow with their abilities.
 * 5) 5. This program can only be purchased online. System requirements are that each student needs their own computer with Mac or PC, back to Windows 2000. Their web site is [|http://www.lexialearning.com]

Scientific Learning


 * 1) 1. Fast For Word (copyright) Series by Scientific Learning is designed to build confidence in middle and high school students.
 * 2) 2. Fast For Word is a instructional game that appears to be fun.
 * 3) 3. This program might be best used as a reward for good behavior in a special ed class. This program looks like a lot of fun and still incorporates learning. I can see this working with a behavior challenging class as a way to gain the upper hand and engage their attention toward learning.
 * 4) 4. This is not the first web site to guarantee improvement, but this one takes it a step farther and promises to improve state test scores. Clearly education is big business and this may be the weakness of this program, it is so much like a game that a teacher would have to have control of the class and each student’s usage of the game.
 * 5) 5. Information regarding pricing is only obtained through a phone call. System requirements are internet of any type and PC or Mac. It can only be purchased through the web site, which is [|http://www.scilearn.com]

Study Island
 * 1) 1. Intervention is the main intent for //The World as You Know It// program which is designed for middle and high school learners with difficulty reading.
 * 2) 2. This is definitely an instructional game, almost a cartoon.
 * 3) 3. I currently know of a school that uses this program as an afterschool tutoring option. I think this is a very wise use of a student’s time and a fun way to improve reading skills while keeping them in a normal classroom during regular class hours.
 * 4) 4. The strengths include learning while being entertained. While I am not a huge proponent of making everything a game, I think when a student is learning no matter the avenue (especially if they struggle with reading) is a very good tool. This software is set up like a graphic novel and is fun for kids to read. Each state also has its own program, geared toward their state test. Weakness might be that it seems easy to forget to focus. It is a very engaging program and it might be easy to forget to focus for reading comprehension.
 * 5) 5. Price is based on the enrollment of the school, from $522-$3685 for the whole package. Study Island works with Mac and PC Windows 2000 or higher. Ordering and training are available through the website, [|http://www.studyisland.com]