Characteristics of Instructional Software

J. Teacher Modifiability
• Teacher can easily change or add content
• Teacher can easily regulate parameters for each
student and class.
• Parameters setups can be bypassed.
Characteristics of Instructional Software

L. Evaluation
and keeping
record

• Programs provides an adequate means of

evaluating mastery of the content.
• Useful information about student performance is
stored for future retrieval.
Characteristics of Instructional Software

L. Evaluation
and keeping
record

• Useful diagnostic pretest or placement test is provided, where

appropriate.
• Student performance information is easily accessible to the teacher.
• Program can hold multiple performance records of a single or
several classes.
Characteristics of Instructional Software
1.Are the skills targeted by the
software appropriate to your students
and to your curriculum? In what
way(s) and for how many of the
students would the software be
useful?
1.What are the skills targeted, 1.What is the intended age/grade
according to the makers/publishers? level(s), according to the
Do you agree? makers/publishers? Do you agree?

M. Questions
for evaluating
instructional
software
Characteristics of Instructional Software

1.How many of the students are at level

where the software would be useful?

1.In what area does the software fall (1)

1.How do you intend to use the learning from computers, (2) learning
software? What will its purpose be in with computers, (3) managing learning
overall program? with computers, (4)
other:________________
M. Questions
for evaluating
instructional
software
Characteristics of Instructional Software
1.Does the software do more
than a workbook could, in the
same skill area? In what ways?

1.Do you have the appropriate 1.Is the software, in terms

equipment to run the software? screen display, appropriate to
the student’s reading levels?

M. Questions
for evaluating
instructional
software
Characteristics of Instructional Software
1.Can the students load and use the
software by themselves? How much
teacher support in a “stand-by”
capacity will be needed? Is this
appropriate to instructional situation?
1.Will the software be easy to use and 1.How will the software fit into overall
understand the students? instructional system/program.

M. Questions
for evaluating
instructional
software
Characteristics of Instructional Software

In selecting, evaluating or purchasing instructional

software, teachers need to consider in general how
well the program sustains students interest and, most
important, how well students receive and process
information.
Characteristics of Instructional Software

More specifically, teachers need to focus on:

How well the software appeals to both the eyes and the mind and how well visual and
textual data are integrated.

How well the software helps students select and organize concepts and analyze and
evaluate relationships and;

How well the software promotes subjective, divergent, and creative thinking.
Evaluating Software

2. Educational
quality
8. Evaluation
3. Directions
1. Content
7. Tracking
and
4. User monitoring
interaction
6. Graphic 5. Data
and sound Flexibility