Larissa Petzoldt
Educational Software Evaluation 1
Title:
Vocabulary and Spelling City
Version:
Second version: it was at first just Spelling City, but they expanded it.
Publisher:
Vkidz Inc.: this is a family-owned educational software company that is dedicated to
creating “game-changing” educational systems.
Target Audience:
This can be used with any age of students, because you put in your own spelling words or
whatever you want to test with and that is what you practice and test on. I think
Kindergarten and up would be able to use this software. The only thing about using this
with younger students is that they do not know how to type correctly, but they can still
play this game.
Type(s) of software with Justification:
This software can be Drill and Practice, and Tutorial. This is both, because the first time
they plug in their spelling/vocab words this information is new. But after they work with
it the first time, the information is already learned and the students are just practicing
with the information.
Curriculum(s):
This can fit into the classroom in different ways. One way it can fit into the classroom is
helping the students learn their own spelling words. This could be used in the classroom
with different books. When we read a book in class, and there are certain words that the
students do not know, we can use this to look them up and play an activity with the
words. This teaches the meanings of words, and can also work with, and improve writing
skills.
Possible environment(s):
This software could be used any kind of environment. It would work in a one computer
classroom, individual, small group, large group, or a lab setting. This software can also
be used in a home setting.
Supplements:
On this website, you are able to print out spelling worksheets, games, and activities. Also
if you buy the premium membership you are able to have additional games, and also a
record keeping system that enables the students to take the tests online.
Cost:
This software is free! They do have a premium membership that cost; for up to five
students: $24.99, for up to thirty students: $49.99, and large orders over 301 students:
$1.50 per student.
This software seems to be a little busy when you first open it up. It seems busy because it
has tabs for students, parents, and teachers. Then they also have tabs for their websites, like
FAQ, premium membership, and others. It has a start here box and that is where the students or
anyone using this program should start. You personalize this website by typing in your words
you are trying to learn. Or the words you want your students to learn. Once you have your words
typed in, you have the options to have a spelling test, vocab test, teach me, flash cards, or to play
a game. On the spelling test the narrator reads off the word and the definition of the word that
they want you to type. At the end you can have your words checked and it will show you which
ones you got correct and the ones that you spelled wrong. On the games, they have ones for
vocabulary, spelling, and writing.
Overall I think this software will be very helpful to students in my classroom. It will help
the students to actually want to study their spelling or vocabulary. I will also help increase each
students writing skills. One thing I think they could improve on is the graphics. They are
appealing, but to children I do not think they will be very appealing or keep the students
interested in the program. I could use this software to even introduce our spelling words for the
week, by using the flash cards, or the games. At first the navigation on this site was not easy, but
after I found the main page, it was very easy. The sound was effective, and there were men and
women’s voices. If you got a word wrong on the spelling test, all it did was cross out the wrong
answer and put the correct one there. Although some of the activities would not work, because
they wanted you to buy the premium package, but most of it works for free.
This spelling city software still passed!