Checklist for Microcomputer Courseware
Program Name: Jet Ski Addition
Vendor/Author: 4kids.org/games/
Subject Area: Math and Addition
Grade Level: 1st
Instructional Integrity
Yes
No
1.
Is the content relevant to the instructional needs of the students? ....................................................... X
2.
Is the program organized and presented in a sequential manner and in appropriate
developmental steps? ........................................................................................................................... X
3.
Is the content presented clearly? .......................................................................................................... X
4.
Are the use of graphics, sound, and color appropriate? ....................................................................... X
5.
Does the program provide meaningful interaction for the students? ................................................... X
6.
Does the program provide for used self-pacing? .................................................................................
X
7.
Does the material require the purchase of accompanying printed material, or is it self-sufficient? ...
X
8.
Does the material provide direct instruction? ...................................................................................... X
9.
Does the material provide immediate feedback? ................................................................................. X
10.
Does the material provide a variety of built-in reinforcements? .........................................................
X
Technical Adequacy and Utility
1.
Are the teacher's instructions well organized, useful, and easy to understand? .................................. X
2.
Does material require extensive preparation or training on the teacher's part? ...................................
3.
Is the material of high quality? ............................................................................................................ X
4.
Is the size of the print clear and well spaced? .....................................................................................
X
5.
Does the speed of presentation match individual learning styles? ......................................................
X
6.
Does the student need typing skills to use the program? .....................................................................
X
7.
Is it "kid-proof?" .................................................................................................................................. X
8.
Can a student use the program without supervision? .......................................................................... X
9.
Is a printout of student performance available, if desired? .................................................................. X
10.
Can the program be used in a regular classroom, resource room, media center, agency, or
institution? ........................................................................................................................................... X
Date: September 19, 2011
Evaluator: Britta Hill
X
Open-ended Courseware Evaluation
Program Name: Schoolhouse Technologies
Vendor/Author: www.schoolhousetech.com
Subject Area: Math and Vocabulary
Grade Level: Any grade level
1.
2.
How appropriate is computer use for this activity?
It is definitely appropriate to use the computer for this activity because using the computer will allow
for the activity to completed neatly and in a well organized fashion. Using the computer for this activity will
allow the information to be typed neatly, and organized neatly as well. Using the computer for this actvity
will also save time. The computer will help generate ideas that would not be thought of otherwise.
Are the goals of the program clear? (What are they?)
Yes, the goals are presented very clearly. For each of the tools of the program, there is an
informational paragraph that details the purpose of the tool, the ways in which it can be used and why it is
beneficial. For example, the Math Resource Studio tool of the program is “the teaching tool you need to
create virtually unlimited, professional-quality, printable math worksheets and reviews right on your PC.
Generate math worksheet activities to provide practice in: number operations, number concepts, algebra,
geometry, fractions, numeration, time, money, math puzzles, ratio and percent, measurement, and more.”
The program also highlights the goals and benefits of the Vocabulary Worksheet Factory, Schoolhouse Test
and Schoolhouse Bingo tool as well. In general, the goals of the entire program include productively making
worksheets that can be printed, saving time, and providing various ideas and formats that meet the needs of
all students.
2.
Does the activity in the program focus on these goals?
Yes, the program is excellent for making worksheets, creating assessments, and reviewing math and
vocabulary. The program can definitely save an educator time when trying to create worksheets and
assessments. Instead of fooling around trying to get the spacing correct, the program has flexible templates
that work in various ways. All of the assessments can be printed and then used in the classroom. There are
many accomodations that can be made in each of the tools and each tool can cater to students with different
needs.
4.
Are the instructions clear? (If not, why?)
Yes, the instructions are clear and very detailed. They explain the various options that are available
when using each of the different tools. There is even a video that demonstrates how to use some of the tools.
There are examples, screanshots and thorough directions that make using the program straightforward and easy.
5.
Is content relevant to instructional needs of students Why or why not?
Yes, the content can easily be altered to the individual needs of any student. The subjects are set, but
the content is changeable. This program could be used over and over for many different lessons because the
content can be altered to different themes, lessons or student’s needs. The program provides personalized options
that cater to all types of students. The two main subjects that the program use are math and vocabulary but any
subject can really be integrated into this program though the worksheet creator tool, the assessment creator tool,
and the bingo tool.
6.
How well is the program organized and presented in a sequential manner and in appropriate developmental
steps?
The program is organized very well. The homepage features all four of the main tools at an easy
conevenience so the user can go directly to the tool of their choice. The program then highlights each of the tools
in the same order that they are presented on the homepage. There are more that 70 worksheets for math that can
be altered to meet any student’s individual developmental level. The program is designed so that the user controls
the content that is incorportaed which allows for the appropriate developmental steps. However, it is a nice
program to use because it offers information that caters to a large range of developmental content. The fonts,
pictures, types of questions, format, and more can all be organized in a way that best suits the student. You can
also assign a Level and a Category to each question and then use those filters to select questions for worksheets
and tests.
7.
How does the program respond to input mistakes?
Since the program is designed around the user creating the worksheets and assessments, the program
does not highlight or point out any mistakes made. I would say that this is one downfall of the program because it
would be easy to make a typing errror and not know it. However, since the worksheets are so easy to make and
access, it would not be difficult to go back and change any mistake. When you hand the worksheets and
assessments to the students, it is the teacher who becomes the grader and finds the mistakes. The user of this
program can make an answer key that facilitates the grading process for the instructor.
8.
How appropriately is reinforcement used?
Reinforcement is rarely used in this program. The user simply designs the worksheets, assessments,
and bingo games and then administers them to the students. The reinforcement is left to the educator according to
how well the student responds to the worksheet, assessment, or bingo game. This program would really benefit
from a form of reinforcement in the program.
9.
Does the program provide for user self-pacing? Yes
10. Is a printout of student performance available if desired? Yes
11. What is your overall evaluation of program?
Overall, I evaluate this program highly. It could save an educator a lot of time when creating worksheets,
assessments, and a bingo game. It is very user friendly and it has many options that allow the user to make
personalized activities for all types and levels of students. Each tool of the program has innovative features and
ideas that allow the tool to be unique and successful. I think that the computer is an excellent source when using
this program and the tools that is has. However, I think that the worksheets, assessments, and bingo games that
can be created through this program are best used on paper and not on the computer. The instructions on this
program are clear, the tools save a lot of time, the ideas are unique and innovative, the products can be very
personalized, and the program can be used in many different ways. Despite being able to highlight mistakes and
reinforce in appropriate ways, this is a great resource for any instructor to use.
Date: September 26, 2011
Evaluator: Britta Hill
MicroSift Courseware Evaluation
Package Title: www.schoolexpress.com
Evaluator Name: Britta Hill
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
Producer: Comp Ed, Inc
Organization:
Evaluator's Level and Subject Taught: Elementary Education- Undergraduate Student
Date: 10/03/11 Was your evaluation based in part on student use? Yes
Reviewer Statement of Non-Violation of Copyright
The producer's copyright was respected during this evaluation, and I did not copy any
portion of this package. Signature: Britta Hill
Date: 10/03/11
SA=Strongly Agree; A=Agree; D= Disagree; SD=Strongly Disagree; NA=Not
Applicable
Please include comments on individual items on the reverse page
Content Characteristics (indicate with an x after your selection)
1. SA_ A_ D_ SD_ NA
The content is accurate.
2. SA_ A_ D_ SD_ NA
The content has educational value.
3. SA_ A_ D_ SD_ NA
The content is free of racial, ethnic, sexual and other
stereotypes.
Instructional Characteristics
4. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA The purpose of the package is well-defined.
5. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA The package achieves its defined purpose.
6. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA Presentation of content is clear and logical.
7. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA
The level of difficulty is appropriate for the target audience.
8. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA
Graphics/color/sound are used for appropriate instructional
reasons.
Use of the package is motivational.
9. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA
10. SA_ A X D_ SD_ NA The package effectively stimulates student creativity.
11. SA_ A_ D X SD_ NA Feedback on student responses is effectively employed.
12. SA_ A X D_ SD_ NA The learner controls the rate and sequence of presentation
and review.
13. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA Instruction is integrated with previous student experience.
14. SA_ A X D_ SD_ NA Learning can be generalized to an appropriate range of
situations.
Technical Characteristics
15. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA The user support materials are comprehensive.
16. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA The user support materials are effective.
17. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA Information displays are effective.
18. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA Intended users can easily and independently operate the
program.
19. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA Teachers can easily employ the package.
20. SA_ A X D_ SD_ NA The program appropriately uses relevant computer
capabilities.
21. SA X A_ D_ SD_ NA The program is reliable in normal use.
Quality
Write a number from 1 (low) to 5 (high) which represents your judgment of
the quality of the package in each division:
_4_ Content Characteristics
_4_ Instructional Characteristics
_5_ Technical Characteristics
Recommendations
_4_
_3_
_5_
_1_
I highly recommend use of this package
I would use or recommend use of this package with little or no change (Note
suggestions for effective use below)
I would use or recommend use of this package only if certain changes are made
(Note under Weaknesses or Other Comments)
I would not use or recommend this package (Note reasons under weaknesses)
Describe the potential use of this package in classroom settings:
This package can be used to create worksheets, quizzes, awards, and word walls for
classroom use. These can serve as good exercises and tools to use in the classroom to test
student knowledge and practice reviewing concepts. The package can also be used to read
books online and play review games.
Estimate the amount of time a student would need to work with the package in
order to achieve the objectives: This package can be completed within 10 minutes or it
can range to an hour.
Strengths:
There are various different options of activities that this package has to offer. They can
range in educational level according to that of the student. The package is very easy to
use and straightforward. It can save a lot of time when creating worksheets, activities and
quizzes. There are many different subjects that can be integrated into this package
making it very versatile.
Weaknesses:
The free version of the program does not offer all of the most valuable tools so it needs to
be purchased in order to access the full array of tools. However, the free tools that are
offered are still very helpful.
Other Comments: