software evaluation assignment
DESCRIPTION
Slide presentation for Discussion 4: Software EvaluationTRANSCRIPT
Software evaluationAmy O’Toole, Graduate Student
Concordia University
Problem #1: Communication Software
• Komarek School’s 1 to 1 initiative
• 5th through 8th grades
• Turn in homework electronically
• Communicate with students and parents
• Collaborate on assignments
• Check academic progress
• Ability to post homework
Evaluation Rubric~adapted from Instructional Technology and Media for Learning
Features Exceeds Meets Does Not MeetCost Free or Lower than
BudgetWithin Budget Not within Budget
Appropriate 5th-8th grade
Language and Interface is understandable for students
Language and Interface is somewhat understandable for students
Language and Interface cannot be understood by students
24 hour Technical Support
24/7 hour online and phone support
24 hour online support No support provided
Knowledge Base Available
Searchable knowledge database
FAQ section No Knowledge Database or FAQ section
Easy to Use Easy-to-use interface, minimal training needed
Somewhat easy interface, may require training
Difficult to navigate, training needed in order to use
Rubric Continued . . . Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet
Training Provided Webinars and In-service Training Provided
Webinar Only Training No Training Provided
Aligned with Common Core
Aligned with Common Core
Aligned with State or other objectives
Not Aligned with any state or other objectives
Ability to Submit Homework Electronically
Students can easily submit homework and receive feedback from teachers
Students can submit documents to teachers, but cannot receive feedback
Students cannot submit anything to teachers nor receive any feedback
Create Test/Quizzes Teachers can create online test and quizzes
Teachers can create tests and quizzes with limitations
Teachers cannot create any test or quizzes
Access on Mobile device Users can use this software on their mobile device
Some users can use this software on their mobile device
Cannot access this software with a mobile device
Rubric Continued . . .
Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet
Interact with Students Students can interact freely with teacher
Students can interact occasionally with teacher
Students cannot interact with their teacher at all
Interact with Parents Parents can check the status of their child’s academic progress with minimal help
Parents can check the status of their child’s academic progress with help
Parents cannot check the academic progress of their child
Interactive Calendar All students assignments appear on one calendar regardless of teacher
Students have to check different calendars for different teachers’ assignments
There is no calendar to check assignments
Learning Management Software (LMS)
Edmodo Schoology
Edmodo vs. Schoology
Features Edmodo SchoologyCost Exceeds ExceedsAppropriate 5th-8th grade
Exceeds Exceeds
24 hour Technical Support
Meets – no phone support
Meets – no phone support
Knowledge Base Available
Exceeds Exceeds
Easy to Use Exceeds ExceedsTraining Provided Meets – online only Meets – online onlyAligned with Common Core
Meets – Math & ELA only
Exceeds
Edmodo vs. Schoology continued . . .
Features Edmodo SchoologyAbility to Submit Homework Electronically
Exceeds Exceeds
Create Test/Quizzes Exceeds ExceedsAccess on Mobile device
Excceds Exceeds
Interact with Students Exceeds ExceedsInteract with Parents Exceeds ExceedsInteractive Calendar Meets Meets - (available in
paid version)
What others are saying . . .
Edmodo• PLCs“its (Edmodo’s) professional learning networks are more mature and active than those in Schoology” ~
• Create small groups
• Badges, incentives
Schoology• Integrates better with iOS
• Discussions
• Assessment builder
• Analytics
• Update feed better to understand
“Schoology is closer to the one-stop-shop for full learning management” ~ Robert Schuetz
Recommendations
• Schoology would be the best fit for Komarek School
• Discussions capabilities more robust
• More compatible with iOS
• Test/Quizzes capabilities more robust
• Looking ahead paid version integrates with PowerSchool, existing LMS
Problem #2: Math Software
Math Department looking for software to:• Help students ability to reason
spatially• Word problems involving numbers• Word problems involving
geometric thinking
Math Software Evaluation Rubric~adapted from My Education Toolkit
Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet
Cost Free or Lower than Budget
Within Budget Not within Budget
Installation Can Install on the Network, or create an image
Easy to Install, clear directions
Complex to install, difficult directions to follow
Technical Support 24/7 hour online and phone support
24 hour online support
No support provided
Grade Level Language and Interface is understandable for students
Language and Interface is somewhat understandable for students
Language and Interface cannot be understood by students
Standards Aligned to Common Core Standards
Aligned with State or Other Standards
Not Aligned with any standards
Math Software Evaluation Rubric continued …
Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet
Active Learning Students are actively engaged during all components of the software
Interaction offers average active learning, some activities too passive
Interaction is passive, no active learning encouraged
Save Features Both automatically and manually, students work can be saved and restarted from the same point
Students can save their work to continue working on it in the future
Students cannot interrupt and save work
Hardware Compatibility
Works on all machines without upgrades or add-ons
Will work on most machines with minimal upgrades or add-ons
Will work on only a few machines, required additional hardware to work properly
Math Software Evaluation Rubric continued …
Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet
Compatible with EnoBoard
Will work on all EnoBoards without upgrades or add-ons
Will work on most EnoBoards with minimal upgrades or add-ons
Will not work with Eno Boards, requires additional hardware to work properly
Available activities, lesson plans, curriculum
Material is provided by vendor and easy to locate
Lesson plans and activities available to use with software
No teacher materials or activities provided by the vendor
Report/Analytics Ability to generate reports on students’ strengths and areas of needed growth
Ability to generate reports on student progress
No reporting ability
Geometer’s Sketchpad vs. Features Geometer’s
SketchpadMath Success Deluxe
Cost Exceeds ($4.50 p/student)
Exceeds ($12 p/student)
Installation Exceeds MeetsTechnical Support Exceeds ExceedsGrade Level Exceeds ExceedsStandards Exceeds ExceedsActive Learning Exceeds Does Not MeetSave Features Exceeds ExceedsHardware Compatibility Exceeds ExceedsCompatible with Eno Board Does Not Meet Does Not MeetAvailable activities, lesson plans, curriculum
Exceeds Meets
Report/Analytics Does Not Meet Does Not Meet
Geometer’s Sketchpad vs. Math Success
Geometer’s Sketchpad• Compatible with iPads
• Comes with curriculum
• Online tutorials
• Sketch Exchange – online help community
• Works with SMART Board, not sure about Eno Boards
Math Success• Emphasis on geometry
• Aligned with Common Core Standards
• Access to Tutor.com for additional help
• Not very interactive
Recommendations
• Geometer’s Sketchpad• Mac and iPad compatible• More interactive, engaging• Curriculum available• Aligned to Common Core
Standards• Within budget
References
Edmodo support. (2014). Retrieved from: https://support.edmodo.com/home#teacher
Magiera, J. (2013, February 24). Schoology vs. Edmodo, round 2 - also, why Schoology solved my iPad workflow woes. Retrieved from: http://www.teachinglikeits2999.com/2013/02/schoology-vs-edmodo-round-2.html.
Ritter, M. (2013, July 23). 10 reasons I prefer Schoology over Edmodo. Retrieved from: http://talktechwithme.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/10-reasons-i-prefer-schoology-over-edmodo/
Smaldino S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2008) Instructional technology and media for learning. (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
The Geometer’s Sketchpad. (2104). Retrieved from: http://www.keycurriculum.com/
Top Ten Reviews. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.toptenreviews.com/pdfdocs/prod_110.pdf