3.1: Software Evaluation Criteria
- Page ID
- 27216
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Software Evaluation Criteria
- Explore curriculum-specific educational apps and software.
Before you even begin looking at software and application to use in your teaching and learning strategies, stop and ask yourself the following questions: Why do I want to use an app or software in my teaching and learning? How will it benefit me and my students? Where can I find reputable software and apps? How do I know if the software or application (app) functions the way I want it to? How do I decide whether a specific software or app will enhance our teaching and learning? So many questions! Selecting the right app requires an understanding of the evaluation criteria. So, how do we determine the evaluation criteria? Luckily, there are those that have done this for years and can lend us their expertise and experiences!
In this section, we will begin our discussion for each of these questions. As we continue through this chapter and the textbook, we will dig deeper into the topics and questions.
Figure 3.1.1: Evaluation Criteria for Educational Technology by Renee Albrecht. Licensed under CC BY.
Identifying your Goals
Understanding and developing your goals and reasons for integrating or using an educational app or software should be the first step you take (Franker, n.d.).
- What do I want to achieve? (Purpose-Driven Selection). Before diving into the vast ocean of educational apps and software, it's crucial to know what you're looking to achieve. Is it enhancing reading skills, improving mathematical abilities, or fostering creativity? Identifying goals narrows down choices, making the selection process more efficient. This is the first step in aligning the technology to your learning outcomes.
- How does this support learning? (Maximized Learning Outcomes). When you align software with specific learning objectives, students are more likely to meet or exceed those objectives. For instance, if the goal is to enhance vocabulary, an app designed specifically for vocabulary expansion is likely to produce better results than a generic language learning app.
- Do I have the resources to support this? For low long? (Efficient Resource Utilization). Time and resources are always limited in educational settings. By choosing apps and software that align with your teaching goals, you ensure that both are utilized to their fullest potential, without wasting efforts on tools that won't meet your needs. For example, a more complex app or software might take longer to learn and implement.
Researching and Finding Software and Apps
It's essential to know where and how to find educational apps that can be beneficial for learning. Here are some ways to get started:
- Search Engines: Simple Google searches can lead you to lists of educational apps. For example, if you're looking for math apps for high school students, you might type "best math apps for high school" into the search bar.
- App Stores: Platforms like the Apple App Store or Google Play have categories dedicated to educational apps. Browsing through these categories can provide a plethora of choices.
- Educational Websites: Some websites, like Common Sense Media or Edutopia, offer reviews and lists of apps specifically designed for learning. They often categorize these by age, subject, or skill.
Analyzing and Evaluating Educational Apps
After identifying potential software and apps, the next step is determining if they are good quality and relevant to your needs. We will dig deeper into this topic as we move through the chapter, however, the following list will help you begin to think about analyzing and evaluating the software and apps. Here are some things to consider:
- Accessibility: Ensure that the software or app meets the required Section 508 accessibility guidelines. Most reputable software and apps will have what is called a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template), or similar information. A VPAT is a standardized form shared by organizations to detail how their software or digital tool complies with the accessibility standards outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It serves as a benchmark for organizations to evaluate the accessibility of a product for individuals with disabilities.
- Reviews and Ratings: A quick way to gauge an app's quality is by looking at user reviews and ratings. For instance, an app with a 4.8-star rating and numerous positive reviews might be worth considering.
- Content Relevance: Ensure the app's content aligns with what you want to learn. For example, if you're studying American History, software or an app that focuses primarily on European History might not be the best fit.
- Ease of Use: An app should be user-friendly. Check if it has an intuitive user (and administrator) interface. For instance, a language-learning app that offers step-by-step lessons with clear instructions would be more beneficial than one that's hard to navigate. Or perhaps a geography app that clearly labels countries and offers easy-to-access quizzes may be more effective than one with a cluttered design.
- Visual Appeal and Interface: The design and visual appeal of an app play a crucial role in user engagement. An aesthetically pleasing interface can make learning more enjoyable. For example, an art history app with high-resolution images and a visually engaging layout can enhance the learning experience compared to one with pixelated images and a dull design.
- Credibility: Check the app's source. An app developed by a well-known educational institution or experts in the field is more likely to offer accurate and reliable content. For example, an English grammar app backed by a recognized university could be a trustworthy choice.
- Cost vs. Value: Some apps might be free, while others may have a cost. It's important to evaluate if the app's content and features justify any potential expenses. For example, a math app might be worth the investment if it offers detailed tutorials, quizzes, and real-time feedback.
Franker, K. (n.d), Tech Tips Newletter: Educational Apps, University of Wisconsin - Stout.