SOFTWARE FOR MATH AND SCIENCE
EDUCATION
Click here to see class reviews
(1) General Software Review Review four or more software titles
in math or science. Write a paragraph describing each program and your
professional opinion concerning its usefulness in education.
(2) Formal Software Reviews Select the best for formal review
and presentation to the class (see form below).
(3) Formal Presentation of Software: See newsgroup and classroom discussion
for details. Your presentations should stress how this software can be used
effectively in the curriculum. Do not spend time discussing
mechanics (menu structure, etc.) nor shortcomings, but rather
focus on the how this software can be used to enhance
instruction. If possible, involve your peers in "hands-on
experiences" with the software, and/or conduct an actual
lesson. Note - in the interest of time, you can review Starry Night for the formal review. No presentation will be necessary.
SOFTWARE REVIEW
(1) Description of program (Paragraph)
(2) Basic Information
(a) Title (b) Publisher (c) Cost (d) ___shareware ___freeware
___commercial
- (3) Target Population
- (a) Is this designed for teachers or students to use
?
- (b) If students, in what subject and at what grade
level ?
- (c) Where would this best fit into the curriculum?
Subject, Grade level, Academic Ability
- (d) Would this software maintain the interest of this
population. Explain.
-
- (4) Content Goals
- (a) What, if any, concept(s) does this program
introduce ?
- (b) How effective of a job does it do at teaching
these concepts?
- (c) Compare with traditional techniques for teaching
this concept(s). (What, if anything, does this
software accomplish that traditional forms of
instruction could not do as effectively. Explain)
-
- (5) Process Goals
- (a) What type(s) of reasoning does this program
encourage (rote memorization, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis,
evaluation, deduction, induction, etc.)?
-
- (d) Compare with traditional techniques for stimulating these reasoning skills. (What,
if anything, does this software accomplish that traditional forms of instruction
generally do not do as effectively. Explain)
-
- (6) Lesson Plan. Write three specific tasks,
questions, goals, or projects that you would have
your students accomplish or answer after using this
software.
-
- (7) Summary. Assuming that you had access to this
software, would you use it in your classroom? Explain
why or why not
You may wish to read others reviews at the California
Instructional Technology Clearinghouse website.
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