Optional Criteria Checklist for Evaluating Instructional Software

Assessment of Commercial/Published Products

Pick 2 Y/N
The following checklist is based on criteria that may help teachers decide between two or more packages on the same topic, if all meet the
essential criteria. The checklist may be used as a follow up to the Essential Criteria Checklist. For each item, circle Y for yes if it meets
the criterion, or N for no if it does not.
Title _______________________________________ Publisher _______________________________________
Content Area _______________________________ Grade Level(s) __________________________________
Cost Information and Pricing Options Available _________________________________________________
Courseware Functions: _______________ Drill and practice _________________ Instructional Game
_______________ Tutorial _________________ Problem Solving
_______________ Simulation _________________ Other
Objectives: ___________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Optional Instructional Design Criteria
YES NO
Stated objectives: Does the software state its objectives clearly? Y N
Prerequisite skills: Are skills specified that students will need in order to use the software activities,
and are students likely to have the required skills?
Y N
Interest quotient: Are examples and strategies likely to interest students at the targeted level? Y N
Presentation logic: Do instructional topics follow a logical sequence based on a skill hierarchy or
commonly accepted curriculum sequences?
Y N
Tests: Do tests match stated skills and are they good measures of the skills? Y N
Significance: Are stated skills "educationally significant" (e.g., in the curriculum)? Y N
Use of medium: Does software make good use of computer capabilities (e.g., highly interactive)? Y N
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Optional Criteria Checklist for Evaluating Instructional Software (continued...)
Field testing: Is there evidence that the software has been used with students and revised based on
their feedback before its release?
Comments:
Y N
Optional Interface/Navigation Criteria
YES NO
Student ease-of-use: Is the program easy to use for the intended students? Is a lot of typing
required?
Y N
Required procedures: Are the procedures required to input the answers easy to remember (e.g.,
pressing "B" for going "back")?
Y N
Input devices: Are alternative input devices allowed to make software more usable for special
populations?
Y N
Directions: Are there on-screen directions on how to use it? Y N
Shortcuts: Can users bypass lengthy introductory screens or directions, if desired? Y N
Support materials: Are there print support materials to support on-screen activities? Y N
Optional assistance: Is a "HELP" feature available if the student runs into difficulty? Y N
Creativity: Do materials foster creativity rather than just rote learning? Y N
Summary feedback: Are students given an on-screen summary of performance when they finish
working?
Comments:
Y N
Optional Teacher Use Criteria
YES NO
Teacher ease of use: Can teachers figure out, with minimum effort, how to work the program? Y N
Management: Does software contain adequate record-keeping and management capabilities? Y N
Teacher manuals: Are clear, nontechnical teacher manuals available with the software? Are manuals
well produced and include a good Table of Contents?
Y N
Ease of integration: Are software materials designed to integrate easily into other activities the
teacher is doing?
Y N
Teacher assistance: Does software improve the teacher's ability to teach the subject? Y N
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Optional Criteria Checklist for Evaluating Instructional Software (continued...)
Adaptability: Can teachers modify and adapt the software for their needs by changing content (e.g.,
spelling words) or format (e.g., animated versus written feedback)?
Comments:
Y N
Optional Presentation Criteria
YES NO
Graphics features: Are graphics, animation, and color used for instructional purposes rather than
decoration?
Y N
Screen layout: Are screens so "busy" or cluttered that they may interfere with reading? Y N
Audio and speech capabilities: Is audio and speech of adequate quality so students can understand it
easily?
Y N
Video and animation: Do moving graphics display clearly, quickly, and without jerkiness? Are they in a
high enough resolution to be useful?
Y N
Required peripherals: Does the program require peripherals the schools are likely to have? (e.g.,
speech synthesizers)?
Y N
Screen printing: Can key screens from the software (e.g., summary performances) be printed?
Comments:
Y N
Optional Technical Criteria
YES NO
Response judging: Does the response judging allow for ALL possible correct answers and disallow ALL
possible incorrect ones?
Y N
Timing: Does the program present itself quickly so displays and responses are accomplished without
noticeable delays?
Y N
Web resources: If online, is websites working most of the time and are they updated frequently, as
needed?
Y N
Portability: Can teachers transfer the software from one machine to another? Y N
Compatibility: Does software run on more than one platform? Y N
Components: Are all required drivers and plug-ins identified and either provided or easily
downloadable online?
Y N
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Optional Criteria Checklist for Evaluating Instructional Software (continued...)
Technical manuals: Do teacher or user manuals contain technical documentation on program
operation and any technical features or options? Does the manual tell how to install and "uninstall"
the program?
Comments:
Y N
Optional Publisher Support
YES NO
Cost effectiveness: Is the price of the package appropriate in light of what it accomplishes? Y N
Available versions: Is the program available in desired versions (e.g., network or site license)? Does
the company provide for free or discounted upgrades later?
Y N
Preview allowed: Does the company allow free previews? Will they refund the purchase price or supply
a replacement if user is not satisfied, or if software is lost, stolen, or damaged?
Y N
Backup: Is a backup disk provided or can user make one? Y N
Training: For more complicated course packages, is on-site or web-based training provided to buyers,
and is there a newsletter or other way to communicate applications and updates?
Y N
Packaging: Is it made to stand up to normal school and classroom wear? Are discs labeled clearly as
to program and platform?
Y N
Ongoing support: Does the company answer questions and provide help for problems via local
representatives, a toll-free line, and/or a website?
Comments:
Y N
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