Marlo+Nickell

Marlo Nickell 9/18/2011 Ed 280 Massey Software Evaluation An automated flash card or Drill and Practice software is designed for students to take part in independent work with instant feedback on their answers without a teacher constantly standing over their shoulder. They will answers questions on the computer, and from there, an answer with feedback will pop up. This can be altered to fit most grade levels that are computer literate, but I think it is more effective with older and more mature students. An activity such as this would be perfect for me teaching high school English in the scenario of repetition for students to understand literary terms, such as alliteration, similes, metaphors and other terms. This program holds strength in it’s independence push on the students, it’s only weakness is that a teacher cannot constantly monitor all of the students and their work simultaneously. This software can range in price, one of which is right around 40 dollars through Barnes and Noble. This version is called Dissertations. EncoreHigh School advantage is a tutorial program that allows you to basically create your own instructional video. The purpose of this program is to prepare an example for something ahead of time so that your students know what they will be doing and can watch it before they pursue it. If I wanted my students to create a big project on one piece of literature, this would be a perfect tool for me to use and example and show them exactly what I want and how I would like it to be created. It could be used as a useful example is all classroom projects. The strengths to this program are being prepared early and being able to have specific examples that you have created yourself. The weakness is that it is very time consuming and requires a lot of brushing up on the programs specific materials. This program can be found online in several different versions from Nextag.com and will run typically between 25 and 35 dollars. Goldsim.com offers a type of simulation software called Monte Carlo Simulation Software for Decision and Risk Analysis. This would be most appropriate for high school students, as one of its main purposes is to create simulations that would help you predict future events. This would be a very challenging activity to put into English curriculum, unless I were to do a section on the comprehending of say, current events. Students could then explore the likeliness of a volcanic eruption or something along those lines. The strengths of this program is that students will be able to comprehend and apply independently things they are studying. The weakness is that it can be very challenging and may be better as a group project where all groups can receive equal help and attention. I’m unable to find prices for this product but more information and downloads are available at the Goldsim website. SuperKids Software offers several different programs that have not only problem solving properties, but also instructional game usage. The purpose of these programs is to engage the students in problems that would require deeper thinking and promote their problem solving skills. This program is focused on the younger students that enjoy the cartoon approach and have fun with problems being introduced to them in that way. This would be a great activity in an elementary classroom that could be incorporated into station work, so that the students have time to explore the program on their own, but still with guidance. The strength of this program is that problem solving skills are very important, and also that it promotes independent work. The weakness is that it is targeted for younger students and would not help me very much in my high school classroom. The prices and required software vary widely as there are many programs that you can purchase. A full list can be found at SuperKids.com. Adobe Director is a multi media program that will allow you to read and burn cds and watch videos. This is a program that would be good for high school students, and would apply in my classroom because I could have my students watch and listen to clips that may make some literature pieces more understandable. There is nothing like hearing a piece of literature read before any translation took place. The strengths to this program are that you can bring in so many different aspects in one lesson. The weakness is that it may not always work and you need a backup plan. This program can be found on Adobes website.