" Essential Criteria Checklist for Evaluating Instructional Courseware"
Assessment of Commercial/Published Products
Pick 2 Y/N
The following checklist includes four sets of essential qualities used to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable software material as well as criteria for specific software functions. If software does not meet all these criteria, it probably should not be considered for purchase. For each item, circle Y for yes if it meets the criterion, or N for no if it does not.
Title _Photo Hunt in Hawaii _________________Publisher__Spinapse_____________________
Content Area __Geography-Hawaii____ Grade Level(s)_middle school_______________
Cost Information and Pricing Options Available _______________________________________
Courseware Functions: Check with (X)
______Drill and practice
_X_____Instructional Game
______Tutorial
_X____Problem Solving
__X____Simulation
______Other
Objectives:
YES NO Set 1. Instructional Design and Pedagogical Soundness (check with " X")
Y_x__ N___ teaching strategy is matched to student needs/levels and is based on accepted methods
Y_x__ N___ Courseware methods are likely to accomplish the stated objectives
Y_x__ N___ Presentation on screen contains nothing than misleads or confuses students
Y___ N_x_ Readability and learning difficulty are at an appropriate level for target students
Y__x_ N___ Comments to students are not abusive or insulting
Y_x__ N___ Graphics fulfill important purpose (motivation, information) and are not distracting to learners
Comments:
YES NO Criteria specific to drill and practice functions:
Y_x__ N___ High degree of interactivity (not just reading information)
Y_x__ N___ Appropriate feedback for correct answers (none, if timed; not elaborate or time-consuming)
Y__x_ N___ Feedback is more reinforcing for correct than for incorrect responses.
Comments:
YES NO Criteria specific to tutorial functions:
Y_x__ N___ High degree of interactivity (not just reading information)
Y_x__ N___ High degree of user control (forward and backward movement, branching upon request)
Y_x__ N___ Comprehensive teaching sequence so instruction is self-contained and standalone
Y_x__ N___ Adequate answer-judging capabilities for student-constructed answers to questions
Comments:
YES NO Criteria specific to simulation functions:
Y_x__ N___ Appropriate degree of fidelity (accurate depiction of system being modeled)
Y_x__ N___ Good documentation available on how program works (if not intuitive)
Comments:
YES NO Criteria specific to instructional game functions:
Y_x__ N___ Low quotient of violence or combat-type activities
Y_x__ N___ All content accurate and up-to-date
Y_x__ N___ No racial or gender stereotypes; not geared toward only one sex or to certain races
Y___ N_x__ Exhibits a sensitive treatment of moral and/or social issues (e. g., perspectives on war)
Y_x__ N___ Content matches required curriculum objectives
Comments:
YES NO Set 2. Content
Y_x__ N___ No grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors on the screen
Y_x__ N___ All content accurate and up-to-date
Y__x_ N___ No racial or gender stereotypes; not geared toward only one sex or to certain races
Y___ N__x_ Exhibits a sensitive treatment of moral and/or social issues (e. g., perspectives on war)
Y_x__ N___ Content matches required curriculum objectives
Comments:
YES NO Set 3. User Flexibility
Y_x__ N___ User normally has some control of movement within the program (e. g., can go from screen to screen at desired rate; can read text at desired rate; can exit program when desired)
Y_x__ N___ Can turn off sound, if desired
Y__x_ N___ Interface is easy to use (e.g., similar format from screen-to-screen for forward and back movement in program)
Comments:
YES NO Set 4. Technical Soundness
Y_x__ N___ Program loads consistently, without error
Y_x__ N___ Program does not break (i.e., stop working), no matter what the student enters
Y_x__ N___ Program does what the screen says it should do
Y_x__ N___ Program works on desired platform
Y_x__ N___ If included, online links work as indicated
Y_x__ N___ If included, animations and videos work as indicated
Comments:
Decision:
__x___ Is recommended for purchase and use
_____ Is not recommended
I believe this game should be purchased for school use because not only is it fun it is educational. It keeps up with the NETS. T standards on allowing children to be able to explore and be creative. Not only does this game teach but the graphics of this game allows the student to escape the classroom for a bit and allows them to be in a different world without ever leaving the school. The game runs smoothly without any freezes or pauses which is good for students who may not understand that a computer doesn’t always run so fast. For the target learners (which is about middle school) I believe the content level may be a bit below, but for the grade I wish to teach ( first grade) it would be too advanced and confusing. Some of the instruction was unclear but still a great program to incorporate in the classroom. It breaks up the day and the students are learning without realizing it.
NET S. T Standards
2) Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
A. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
B. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
D. Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.
