Selecting Software
Patricia
Haughney
Before you even begin to consider the age appropriateness of software,
be certain of the guidelines for using software in your district.
Some districts are very flexible about adding software onto a classroom
computer while others refuse to allow any unapproved installations.
Check with your technology personnel if you have one; otherwise,
run it past your building principal.
Once you have approval for software, keep the following in mind:
- Know your platform; we suggest that all software purchases
be dual platform (Mac/Windows);
- Review all software for its applicability to curricular goals;
don't bother putting on programs that don't directly tie into
your learning standards. For instance, our second grade teachers
like to use the Oregon Trail because it ties in with their study
of the westward movement. Consider general logic programs, too.
Our students in second and third grade love programs such as the
Logical Journey of the Zoombinis;
- Take the age ranges given on the software packages with a grain
of salt. Most software packages actually give too great an age
range because they hope to target a wide audience. It is better
to ask a group of teachers for suggestions of what works with
their classes;
- Always try to preview software first. I used the Magic School
Bus in the Human Body with my third graders and they loved it.
Some of the other programs did not fit in as well. If you are
ordering from an educational software house, they will let you
preview;
- After you've previewed and selected, have one or two students
work with you to learn the software. Designate them "junior techies"
and let them help the rest of the students.
- Keep the software as uniform and simple as you can. I try to
stick to big-name publishers to avoid installation problems. I
also always run software choices through our technology facilitators.
Districts can often get better buys on network versions of software,
which can spread the cost among several schools.
- Keep your eyes on education and technology magazines for software
reviews. These magazines will generally give a pretty accurate
age range for software.
- Browse on different software sites. Some of the bigger educational
publishers include Edmark,
Broderbund, and
Sunburst. This can help you stay up-to-date on current software.
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