Right about now, you should be asking yourself, "What is going on here?” "What does it mean?” and "Does it really matter?" With this in mind, let me make an attempt to explain the above paragraph. All of these slogans have intrinsic value to us. After all, we are and should be in the business of educating children. The problem is all to often we are being sold a "bill of goods". Another words, there is too much focus on the "business" part and very little emphasis on the "educating children" part. How and why this happened is an entirely a different conversation; one which will not be addressed in this article. What to do about this problem will be the focus of this article.
With this in mind, what does one do about the problem mentioned above? As educators, we want to do the right thing; the question is where to start. So... without further delay, I will discuss how an educator can navigate the stormy seas filled of substandard software and programs that promise everything and usually deliver nothing and ultimately find the diamond in the ruff that will indeed effectuate academic growth through technology.
Step 1--> Become a Skeptic- At first glance this might sound cynical. However, this frame of mind will greatly help you in your quest to use Instructional or Educational Technology effectively. In becoming a skeptic, you understand that the majority of software cannot and will not deliver results as promised. Why? Many of the so-called educational software titles are created by non-educators or people with insufficient background. After all, a software developer, designs software. Some of the larger companies will have a research department in which they actually consult with educators. However, all to often this is not the case. Instead, the software developer throws around words like "NCLB complaint", "standards based", or other catchphrases of the day. For this reason, you must be skeptical of promises made by software developers. This is not to say, that all software is garbage. However, if one goes in with blinders and naivety, the results could be less than satisfactory.
Step 2---> Research, Research, Research- Hopefully, I have convinced you about the importance of becoming a skeptic. Now, what is a skeptic to do? Simply put, research before you purchase. Before you purchase a house, a great deal of preparation and research is (hopefully) conducted as you and your family plans to settle at this residence for a long time. Similarly, we must take the time to investigate whether the said software is "good enough".
Step 3--> How to conduct research effectively- Ask for a "full working demo". Any reputable company will gladly furnish this request, as they are eager, to show just how good their software is. Additionally, good software developers will offer either a web version of their software or a link to download a trial version of their software and will often include a curriculum guide as a part of their package. If they are not amenable to this request, there is a good chance that they are a "fly by night" company. I would not waste my time, with this software further. After you acquire a copy of the software, try out the software yourself and pilot it with a group of children. This will undoubtedly give you tremendous insight of the value of the software.
Note: When I personally test software, I try to keep in mind the targeted group of children and what challenges they are currently facing. For example, are the graphics and media content appropriate for a third grade child? Are the directions easy to understand? Is the software fun and child friendly? Will the child become frustrated with the software?
Step 4--> Stepping up your research- Before you pilot the software with students, jot down a few goals of what you would like the children to accomplish with this software and create short and long term benchmarks to ascertain whether this software meets your standards or not.
Step 5--> Do Not Forget the Children- In this age of clichés, this sounds obvious. However, lets look at this from another point of view. At first glance, the 4 previous steps mentioned probably sound reasonable to you all. One might even say that what I am stating is common sense. However, even as you review my arguments you must be thinking, "Wow, that sounds like more work for me. When on earth am I going to find the time to do this?" This is why I say, "Do not forget the children." Yes, it is plenty of work. Then again, anything worthwhile always was. For this reason, one needs to remind themselves of the mantra, "Not to forget the Children" and strengthen their resolve to do the right thing.
Step 6--> How do I assure that I "do not forget the children?" Do not settle for mediocrity. Do not assume because so and so said this software is good that it must be good. Please keep in mind, what works for one student does not necessarily work for another student. It is safe to say, there are more than three-dozen remedial reading programs available on the market today. Some of these programs are actually good. However, even the good programs, have their limitations as its intended audience is not everyone. Only through research, tireless effort, and passion for the target audience can this information be discovered and uncovered.
Step 7--> How do you do right by children with software? Take the time to try out the software and think about which lesson plan coincides with the presented activity. Additionally, reflect on what follow up activity will occur after the student uses the program that in effect assures that the teacher can capitalize on what the child learned while using the software through follow up and extension activities. This methodology will assure that the software program provides more than incidental learning.
Final Thoughts- I started this article by making reference to a variety of acronyms including state, national, and international standards. What relation does this have to software? In many cases, the linking of standards is a perversion of the truth as it is merely a listing of activities that can link to broad standards in a generic way. If the software developer, links it to specific standards, it is definitely more promising. However, I would still be wary. While linking to the standards shows effort and thought, it does not provide an ironclad guarantee.
What about being NCLB compliant? What's the deal with that? For the most part, software by definition cannot be truly NCLB complaint as true NCLB compliancy demands that the software solution or product is SBR; Scientifically Based Research. SBR means that an independent evaluator conducted an extended case study with a control and experimental group. The independent evaluator validates that this solution was the ingredient that improved academic outcomes for the group of targeted students. In many cases, software vendors are quick to call their product NCLB compliant; even if a study was never conducted. Some vendors do conduct studies. However, very few of them assure that all the required parameters are a part of their study as it is costly and time consuming. Subsequently, I am always skeptical when a vendor touts that their product is "NCLB compliant". With this in mind, healthy skepticism is an essential ingredient to selecting software that is educationally beneficial. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet, "I must be cruel only to be kind."
About the Author- Jacob has worked in the field of Instructional Technology for the past 11 years and in the field of education for the past 18 years. During this time, he was recognized in the 2008 National Profile Report as an effective practice in the area of Instructional Technology, has authored 73 award winning grants including numerous Learning Technology Grants, the Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant, 3 Beaumont Foundation Grants, two Math Partnership Grants, a Borough President Grant, 5 Middle School Incentive Grants, 3 Best Buy Grants, and 2 New Vision Grants. He developed numerous programs including various Laptop Institutes, specialized Technology Workshops Series, and graduate programs in the areas of Math, Social Studies, and Instructional Technology. He also coordinated specialized contests, (i.e. MST Fair, Web Quest, and Technology Festival), developed Instructional Manuals that integrate technology into the curriculum, and received the Chancellor's Excellence in Leadership Award. Jacob currently supports the Knowledge Network in meeting its instructional technology goals through the offering of workshops, grant writing, technical support, and through a system of customized support.
Step 5--> Do Not Forget the Children- In this age of clichés, this sounds obvious. However, lets look at this from another point of view. At first glance, the 4 previous steps mentioned probably sound reasonable to you all. One might even say that what I am stating is common sense. However, even as you review my arguments you must be thinking, "Wow, that sounds like more work for me. When on earth am I going to find the time to do this?" This is why I say, "Do not forget the children." Yes, it is plenty of work. Then again, anything worthwhile always was. For this reason, one needs to remind themselves of the mantra, "Not to forget the Children" and strengthen their resolve to do the right thing.
Step 6--> How do I assure that I "do not forget the children?" Do not settle for mediocrity. Do not assume because so and so said this software is good that it must be good. Please keep in mind, what works for one student does not necessarily work for another student. It is safe to say, there are more than three-dozen remedial reading programs available on the market today. Some of these programs are actually good. However, even the good programs, have their limitations as its intended audience is not everyone. Only through research, tireless effort, and passion for the target audience can this information be discovered and uncovered.
Step 7--> How do you do right by children with software? Take the time to try out the software and think about which lesson plan coincides with the presented activity. Additionally, reflect on what follow up activity will occur after the student uses the program that in effect assures that the teacher can capitalize on what the child learned while using the software through follow up and extension activities. This methodology will assure that the software program provides more than incidental learning.
Final Thoughts- I started this article by making reference to a variety of acronyms including state, national, and international standards. What relation does this have to software? In many cases, the linking of standards is a perversion of the truth as it is merely a listing of activities that can link to broad standards in a generic way. If the software developer, links it to specific standards, it is definitely more promising. However, I would still be wary. While linking to the standards shows effort and thought, it does not provide an ironclad guarantee.
What about being NCLB compliant? What's the deal with that? For the most part, software by definition cannot be truly NCLB complaint as true NCLB compliancy demands that the software solution or product is SBR; Scientifically Based Research. SBR means that an independent evaluator conducted an extended case study with a control and experimental group. The independent evaluator validates that this solution was the ingredient that improved academic outcomes for the group of targeted students. In many cases, software vendors are quick to call their product NCLB compliant; even if a study was never conducted. Some vendors do conduct studies. However, very few of them assure that all the required parameters are a part of their study as it is costly and time consuming. Subsequently, I am always skeptical when a vendor touts that their product is "NCLB compliant". With this in mind, healthy skepticism is an essential ingredient to selecting software that is educationally beneficial. As Shakespeare said in Hamlet, "I must be cruel only to be kind."
About the Author- Jacob has worked in the field of Instructional Technology for the past 11 years and in the field of education for the past 18 years. During this time, he was recognized in the 2008 National Profile Report as an effective practice in the area of Instructional Technology, has authored 73 award winning grants including numerous Learning Technology Grants, the Enhancing Education Through Technology Grant, 3 Beaumont Foundation Grants, two Math Partnership Grants, a Borough President Grant, 5 Middle School Incentive Grants, 3 Best Buy Grants, and 2 New Vision Grants. He developed numerous programs including various Laptop Institutes, specialized Technology Workshops Series, and graduate programs in the areas of Math, Social Studies, and Instructional Technology. He also coordinated specialized contests, (i.e. MST Fair, Web Quest, and Technology Festival), developed Instructional Manuals that integrate technology into the curriculum, and received the Chancellor's Excellence in Leadership Award. Jacob currently supports the Knowledge Network in meeting its instructional technology goals through the offering of workshops, grant writing, technical support, and through a system of customized support.
183 comments:
I am in total agreement with the posting. I have a son that enjoys computer games. I previewed many of the programs before I purchased them. I bought many of them about 5 years ago and I don't remember seeing claims to standards or that they were curriculum based. When I do decide to invest in new technology I will investigate further.
I found the "steps" to consider before selecting technology software to be used in school are very helpful because sometimes in school I really felt that selecting even what book to use in a particular class is somewhat influenced by some kind of politics..nice job on this one! hope all the administrators will have this in mind before they decide to purchase something for school.
I agree with your statement, "research before you purchase." Many school administrators, mine included, have the strong belief that by participating in certain test prep software programs, students score outcomes will increase. My school must have about 6 software programs purchased within the past 4 months, none of which are the least bit unrelated to test prep. School administrators aren't making technology use fun for students at all. In my opinion, students must sometimes dread the usage of computer at home because at school they are bombarded with clicking letter choices to answer online multiple choice questions. Technology implementation can be used in other ways, however some administrators/teachers don't spend much time exploring how technology can engage student learning.
I agree with you on what you said about conducting research effectively. I am currently using my class as a pilot class to see what they can do technology wise and what not. I am in the process of talking to them about blogs and publishing on the web. They are eager to learn, one has even said that his mother blogs. I have created a form to send home to get permission from parents. I think I am going to start small by first posting a poem (we will be working on poetry in April), then having them all respond to the poem. I am excited to see how this will turn out.
That is so true. Now-days you don't need to be a teacher to be in the classroom and i believe that is the people that are making these software also don't know anything about teaching.They do not care for the children. It's about making money.
Yes, it is necessary to be skeptical about software that is touted as an educational miracle. And the importance of researching and testing the software cannot be understated. I would also add that, as teachers, if we do not have time to spend on testing every software that interests us, it would be helpful to be part of a network of educators that can share resources that have been tried successfully in various schools. Also, to look to school-based and district-wide instructional technology leaders for results of their own evaluation of educational technology software.
I agree, being an educator it is my responsibity to teach right to our children, so i must be very careful of what i see and hear from these software vendors before deciding what to use.
I do agree with the author's comment on the issue regarding vendors who are trying to sell their product claiming that their product is " NCLB compliant ".Indeed we should be very careful in selecting what software to choose that caters to the needs of students.The author presented some steps to at least guide us to before acquiring the most appropriate software that meets the needs of our students.We should be meticulous in acquiring the right software.
I agree fully on each posting. We as educators should treat the learning of our children as an investment; as tho we are purchasing a house. The more resources available the better. Technology has advancing so quickly in classrooms, making learning fun and easier. But, as posted the steps listed are require before purchase.
March 30,2009
L. Ott
According to your article, you are asking if software is used to enhance the learning of the children or are the businesses of selling software. Are they out to make a profit? I think there is a some of both; business are really trying to integrate technology into the curriculum as well sell software. I believe, with your expertise in technology you are able to detect the difference.
I agree with your comments about the poor quality of technology. As the computer liaison in the building I am required to spend thousands of dollars in technology while the school is need of more hardware money. It has become very difficult to find software which I feel is acceptable.
During the last year, to solve my problem, I have started to preview and purchase websites for students and teachers and I am happy with the selection of fantastic sites that I can purchase for the school
I find this article to be extremely informative. The steps that are given are very helpful in trying to figure out which type of technological device you would like to use in your classroom.
I honestly would have no idea how to go about picking out which technology programs I would use effectively with my students. I found it good and helpful that you said not just using a program that someone said was good just because you were recommended to use it.
I realize that with technological programs in the classroom, I do tend to take other people's advice and it doesn't always necessarily work well for my students. I found the part where you said to test out programs with your students before purchasing it very helpful. Although it seems like a given, or kind of like an obvious step to take while going about choosing something for your students that they will use, I tend to find myself not always taking their input and just going on what I believe they would enjoy.
This, in turn, is not always successful because they may be interested in things that I don't know about or I might believe that they're interested in something, while really, they're not. So, I feel that this is a great article and these are great steps to use for finding different types of software to use in the classroom.
When using software in the classroom it is very important to make sure the teacher has done their research on the material, as the article stated. There are many times when teachers use software that in reality does help with their lesson and help the students in the classroom. Students learn in different ways and by using certain tecnolgy it had its limitations. It is a good idea to use software if the program is strong what you are trying to teach, appropriate grade level material, and has a variety of practice questions with explanations. From my experience, many students enjoy being taught in a different style. Having software in the classroom can be great during stations in an elementary classroom. Mathematical programs, as well as spelling and reading software are great reinforcement tools for young students and teaching techniques. I strongly agree with the article with the points of making sure teachers always do their research first and make sure the software is what they are looking for to help their students. Not all new software is the answer for teaching. Being an educator it is our responsibility to teach the right way to our students, so we must be very careful of what we use in the classroom and not just go by what we read on the cover of a cd.
John I.
While software and games have been created to help our students/children learn better, many people see that as an opportunity to rip of educators and parents. Therefore, I am in 100% agreement with you when you say that it's important to research the products before you purchase and use them. It should go without saying that this should be done. Do people not do a bit of research before they make any kinds of purchases, whether it's from buying a GPS to buying a car? So why shouldn't research be done before buying these programs?
To add on, I like the fact that you have this list. This list is great if one wants to be thorough in their research. Also, it provides a guideline to those who don't know where to start.
- Jenny Abayeva
This article is right on point. Before we rush into a well promised product we should always do research and test it out for ourselves. Many programs show off how positive they are when it comes to education but we should never fall into that trap. Taking some time out of our busy schedule to check out a specific program should be seen as a way of writing a lesson. What ever we present in the classroom is what the students pick up. Technology plays a huge role in classrooms nowadays, there is no way of avoiding it that's why it is important to get the programs
that best benefit the success of a student.
Diana M
I completely agree. I think it is so important to do the research. With so many options out there, it is hard to know which ones are the most effective. Sometimes all the catch phases can be confusing because they can seem so convincing. We all want to find that program that will help the one student who struggles more than the rest. It seems like someone could make this their full time job at a school!
I thought this article was very informative. It shed a light on what educators should look for when purchasing educational software for their students. The step that stood out to me was the keep children in mind step. A lot of times education software comes with gadgets and fancy things that take the focus off student learning. Yes the software might be cool, however it is not relevant to what the students need. I believe there should be a lot of planning involved when educators decide to purchase educational software. That is where the research step is very important. Being aware of what the students are learning and how the software is going to extend or help your teaching is what teachers should focus on.
Stella Delmas
Stella- I wholeheartedly agree. Research is critical.
I found this article to be very helpful. I am new to the education system, and inexperienced with technology, but after reading the article I feel more informed.
I agree that it is important to make sure the software purchased is useful and grade appropriate, however I never how to go about doing this. Something else I was unaware of; you could ask the company for a “full working demo”. I think this is a wonderful idea and could benefit many educators. Testing a program before hand with a classroom full of students is an efficient and smart way of choosing a program that is right for your needs.
It is also good to know that many people will try to sell their products by reciting standards. Hopefully in my future career I will be able tell the difference between generalizing standards and reaching them.
Kyrie Burns
I thought that this was an extremely informative article. The guidelines for selecting educational software are cleraly spelt out and easy to follow. What is great,is that these guidelines are relevant to to both the expert and the novice in the field of educational technology.
Hazel
This article is very informative. As an educator we have a responsibility to make sure that whatever learning materials/tools in the classroom maximizes learning potential in our students. Especially, since these educational software’s aren't cheap, as mention it’s all about the business profit to the manufactures. The given guidelines about choose software were very clear and most of all necessary if we want our money's worth.
Anastasia Roberts
I agree that although it may sound cliche "don't forget the children" we really should not forget. We as educators should keep students in mind of any technology we are going to use in class. We cannot use something that works for us and think it will work for them. I agree with testing all technology before we bring it into the classroom.
Victoria Veksler
Thanks Victoria
Thank you for posting this article.You are so right about the first paragraph,I feel like I was reading chinese.Therefore it make me realize how important it is event if it takes time to make sure, that the softwares we are introducing to our students should selected according their level of understanding in other to make learning fun for them.
Marie Jeanty
Just like you would not buy a book based on it's cover, you can not buy software based on what they say. It is important to think about the children when purchasing software and more importantly, how you plan on using it. Company's want to sell there product and will tell you what they think you want to hear. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that one should be skeptical when purchasing software for a classroom. It should be explored and reviewed for the audience in mind. I found the guidelines informative and a good reminder of what to keep in mind.
Vanessa McMellon
I agree with the article in that it is important to conduct research before introducing any new software in the classroom. I also agree that it is a challenge to find the perfect software to meet every child’s ability. The article says, "Wow, that sounds like more work for me. When on earth am I going to find the time to do this?” My reaction is that it is important to have effective communication between teachers and principals so that they can share the workload involved in research instead of one person conducting all the research. A single person cannot make everything happen. So it is vital to cooperate each other in the school.
Keiko Shari
I agree with research being an integral step in purchasing software. The main focus should be student learning without all the "bells & whistles". I understand that the added attractions are used to engage the user, but we should not "forget about the learning. I also agree that software should be tested by students and teachers in a particular setting before introducing it to the school.
During my first few days as a childhood education major at Brooklyn College, a professor warned me about the dangers of pulling lesson plans off of the internet without researching the information in the plan to make sure that it was accurate. This post reminded me of the importance of educators doing their own research, rather than simply trusting a claim or pre-written lesson. Although there are many, many wonderful lessons, games, and software available for purchase and free on the internet, it is necessary that we are aware of our students needs, and the programs that we intend to use to assist in their learning. A bit of skepticism is natural and healthy. As Samuel Morison said "Skepticism is an important historical tool. It is the starting point of all revision of hitherto accepted history." It is important that in this age of increasing technology, we take the time to ensure that what we are getting what was promised.
Christina Ferrara
Even though it is unfortunate, many schools do invest in software that is not appropriately designed to meet the needs of the population. Schools don’t always take the time to research and learn about it before acquiring it. Students are exposed to programs that end up having no real educational value. Educators should certainly follow the recommendations listed on this page. This will ensure that the students using the software gain valuable knowledge and educational experiences. Teachers are responsible for using software in a way that will help student learning by keeping in mind their different needs. As mentioned before, the process of identifying good software is long and time-consuming but it is of crucial importance to always keep in mind the students and their educational needs.
G. Torres
It is interesting that Prof. Gutnicki points out that it isn't enough to integrate technology in the classroom but that the technology must be of good quality and it must be effective. I agree with Prof. Gutnicki when he says that we have to do the research necessary to find the best technology for our schools.
I think that it is a great idea for us to request a "full working demo" of the educational software from the company as Prof. Gutnicki suggests. I would definitely try it out individually and with students as mentioned in the article in order to make sure it works as well as to see just how it works. I also agree that it is important to remember what grade level we will be using the software for and what are the specific needs of our students.
Additionally, Prof. Gutnicki points out that it is important to determine if the students would find the software "fun" and "easy to understand" or will it "[frustrate]" them. I agree that we may not want to do the work required but it seems that it will be worth it especially if it helps to make math interesting. Hopefully, this will in turn help the students understand math more clearly, learn the material and perform better.
I appreciate that Prof. Gutnicki points out that "what works for one student does not necessarily work for another student." He also points out that "even the good programs, have their limitations as its intended audience is not everyone." I agree that it is really important to keep these things in mind and to work hard to find things that help each of our students.
Furthermore, I think that it is a great idea to plan lessons and follow-up activities for the students using the software. I agree that this will help to reinforce the educational learning any particular software intended as well as the goals of the individual teacher. I also appreciate Prof. Gutnicki informing us that while "links...to specific standards,...is definitely more promising... it does not provide an ironclad guarantee." I won't be unnecessarily impressed.
Finally, I appreciate that Prof. Gutnicki explains the difficult process it takes for any software to be "truly NCLB compliant." It is interesting to learn that an "independent evaluator" must conduct a "Scientifically Based Research." Prof. Gutnicki also points out that while "some vendors do conduct studies... very few of them assure that all the required parameters are a part of their study as it is costly and time consuming."
I found this article to be very informative. However, I have yet to teach my own class and I don't know firsthand how time consuming and difficult finding appropriate and effective software to help each of my students learn might be. I hope that I can do my best and keep the students in mind.
Thank you for the reminder that we must research and try out software ourselves. It truly important to keep student learning at the center of all that we do as educators. Many times products don't live up to all the hype surrounding it. It is our responsiblity to filter out all the mediocre products and bring in what can enhance learning for our students.
Nitzeida George
This article makes many valid points about the educational software selection process for our students. It is unfortunate that so many companies out there are "forgetting about the children" and are only interested in making money. It is disappointing to know that they not only falsely advertise, but even more so that it causes many educators to purchase them and waste instructional time. Any person that works in a school or is interested in improving students academic success should read this article and those related to it. We need to know the importance of doing the work in order to produce the best results. Just like you said in your post, anything worthwhile takes time...if we are ultimately concerned with our students progress, we shouldn't mind finding the best and most affective way of doing that. Taking the time to research the most appropriate programs will save us from hitting any bumps in the road, or better yet saving us from the possibility of spending even more time fixing our mistakes had we gone ahead and purchased something without the necessary explorations. Anyone interested in helping children will not be opposed to finding the best aids out there for doing so and in the process know that the effort and time spent in locating it will be totally worth it once improvements and goals are met in the classroom.
Courtney Weiner
As teachers, we often put children in front of a computer and ask them to play a software program that promises to reach certain results. However, we never test the software ourselves. Although it does seem like common sense, we don’t actually take the time to research and evaluate the software programs that we allow our students to use in the classroom. I think these steps are helpful when choosing which software program(s) to invest in. In the future, I will take the time to try the software out for myself, think about which lesson coincides with the activity, jot down a few goals that I would like the students to achieve and prepare a follow up activity to ensure that the student has learned the required material. This will definitely make the educational software more relevant and meaningful.
-Alla Priemyshev
I agree with the step of research, research, research. Even when programs are NCLB compliant and have tons of data, documentation, and independent studies proving success, they are not guaranteed to match the demographics of the students within our own classrooms.
This step is crucial, both in technological purchases and hard-copied educational purchases. I know that many teachers in the schools I've worked in like to complain that such and such program was made for more affluent children with traveling and backgrounds full of exposure and not for lower socioeconomic groups of children. The independent researches often confirm these assertions. That's why it's important for administrators and educators to run a test trial of the program to see if it will meet the benchmarks that they, themselves, have set.
Thank you for sharing this.
Ayesha Long
I agree on the importance of doing your research before investing on any technology software. There are a number of products that claim to do one thing or another, which may not be effective. The producers of the product are likely not in the field of education or getting in put from educators. If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Using technology in the classroom is essential to cater to the different learning styles, as well as reinforcing what has already been taught.
Marlon Campbell
This article is very informative and I completely agree with it. It is very important to do research before you allow your students to use it. As educators we want to help our students do better and understand what they are being taught. There are so many different options and sometimes we get so overwhelmed that we just choose anything but we need to open our eyes and research first. Choosing one software over another can determine whether your students do better and understand the material or get more confused then they already are. Therefore it is very important to research the software and make sure you are choosing the correct one for your students.
Nancy Mandarino
Research is defintely a very important step in purchasing software. The main focus of the software should be learning, kids need to be fully engaged in order to participate without getting frustrated and bored. I agree that software should be tested by teachers and students before it is introduced in a school.
Kimberly Braga
Yes, it is very important to be very careful to choosing educational software. In addition. You are right that selecting the educational software we have to take in consideration whether it is appropriate to meet child's learning needs; the content of the software and whether or not the software directly supplements what child is learning in school; the instructional presentation of the software and whether or not the software meets the learning characteristics of child, for example, reading level, multiple forms of engagement, multiple representations of the content.
Just as Ipads and other technological equipment has become popular so has game. Indeed some games do have a educational purpose, but others are just a scheming company trying to take money from people. It is wise to research the rating on specific games.
Geihan Hussein 650
I agree with this article it is important to do your research before purchasing any software. Also research on selecting the right educational website for your children to be engaged. In classrooms it is important for teachers to also research the websites before providing them to the students, make sure it is educational and keeping them fully engaged. this also is also hopefully for me as a parent to research educational websites and provide the right access to educational website for my child that he can benefit from.
EDSE 650- Samantha Mauri
After reading this article, I feel much more informed about how to select the technology to use in my classroom. The next time I am in a situation where I am researching technology I will be more "skeptical" and research research before making the purchase. I will also always request a full working demo prior to making the purchase.
Kristen LoCasto
EDSE 650
I can certainly relate to and benefit from the information and advice given in this blog. As a high school history teacher, I have been exposed to a plethora of software, most of which I have been urged to use by the powers that be. I have found that while some can be useful in my lessons, most of it is not beneficial for all types of learners. Therefore, this blog has been helpful in giving tips on how to find that "diamond in the ruff". I agree that the most important aspect is to choose software that can reach the majority of your students. The best tip in this blog for me has been to request a whole demo. I will for sure do that going forward.
Gina Angelo EDSE 650
Teachers are asking what software is good and where to find it. The first step in choosing children's software is to consider its purpose. The second step is to determine how well the program succeeds in its goals. I believe that the software should contribute to children's comprehension of the world around them and foster curiosity. It should be content appropriate and interesting for children. It should require a high degree of interaction from the children, calling for thoughtful responses and providing options which require children to make choices. The growing number of children who use computers in school has greatly spurred interest in software for children which challenges their abilities and extends their understanding.
Maia Matcharashvili EDSE 650
I totally agree that before purchasing the software research should be conducted effectively. So the steps presented in the article should be definitely considered. We as educators must make sure that quality software is purchased and it is helpful and appropriate for the classroom's need.
I definitely agree with this article. Now-a-days, teachers and parents don't do enough research before choosing websites or technology for their children/student. All they see is child content and they assume it's perfect for their child. However, just because it's child friendly and says it's educational that does not mean that it truly is beneficial for children. Research needs to be done first. We need to make sure that it is truly educational for our child and that the content is appropriate for them. We even need to make sure that there aren't links to other websites that may not be appropriate for them. There are a lot of things that we need to take into account.
I agree it is very important to do your research before investing in any technology software. This is because there are many products that claim to do one thing or another, which may not be effective in the classroom. If a product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Using technology in the classroom is essential to help teach students with different learning styles, as well as help
reinforcing what has already been taught to them.
I think that the most important point that you make on this blog is to research whatever you are going to use. My principal recently mad youTube available to use in the classroom. One day, when trying to find a video to introduce the students to verbs, I found a video that contained swastikas and Nazis about a third of the way through. Just today, I was reading the students a story and we encountered the northern lights. I googled northern lights to show them an image, only to find aurora borealis, accompanied by a strain of recreational drug, little to my amusement. The Internet can be a very useful tool if used correctly and the same can be said about educational software.
Working with autistic children and using software can be a challenge. Teachers and parents need to research all software before purchasing which is better for that child. I agree with you that software should be researched and also tried before giving it to a child/student.
I agree with your statement, "research before you purchase." Many school administrators and technology teachers automatically feel that if the brand name is "reputable" on the program, it is worth while. However, this is not the case. Administrators must explore and do more research than they could even imagine. Is this product suitable for the students? Does it promote the way of teacher that your students are accustomed to? Or maybe, you are looking for a program to enhance students knowledge in a different way. No matter the reasoning, administrators must analyze the whole picture. I believe a trial period is a smart way to go when purchasing new technology!
Great article, I agree with most users who feel research should be done before purchasing software especially for the use by children. It is critical that this software that is chosen is effective in teaching the child. and compatible for all educators.
I agree with this article. There are many sites that I have tried to use in my classroom that are not very effective. My coteacher and I always preview sites to make sure that they coincide with our lesson plans. If the children are going to be spending time on the computer, we want it to be as effective as possible.
Working with Autistic children and using software can go hand in hand. It is extremely important for teachers, administrators and parents to know the software they are purchasing for a child with Autism. Some software can actually harm a child with autism who will only stem off whatever the software is showing. Everyone who is involved with a child who has Autism must first become familiar with the software before having that child use it.
In recent years, plenty of new software has been available for educators to implement in the classroom. I agree that we need to first experiment with these programs ourselves to make sure it can help the children in a positive manner. The new software must be accessible for all students in the classroom. I agree that it is important that we create goals for the students based on the new software we plan on introducing to the class.
EDSE 650 BC- Wildeen Lazard
The article is not just a reminder "not to forget the children" but instead its keeping educators accountable. As educators we wear several hats inside and outside of the classroom. Due to that fact, at times if the software is more beneficial and user friendly for us, it passes the test. But the reality is just because it works for us as educators does not make it user friendly for the children. Each child has their own learning styles so before using a software in the classroom we must test to make sure it is beneficial to the class as a whole. So this article is not just stating the obvious, "not forget the children. Instead it goes a step forward calling all educators to be accountable even if it requires extra work on our part because in the long run it will benefit our children.
That was very educational article. I found the steps to consider before selecting technology software very useful not only for school,every parent should consider all those steps before buying new computer games for their children. I will gladly suggest this article,to all my friends with young children.Thank you
I definitely agree with this article. All steps you gave are very helpful in trying to figure out which type of technological device its better to use in the classroom. For sure people should research before purchasing. And the importance of researching and testing the software can not be overstated.Buying a house is similarly as buying software. We must take the time to investigate whether the said software is "good enough". This is because there are many products which can not be effective in the classroom.
Students use computer and multimedia resources to support their learning. As an educators we have to be sure that whatever learning materials, tools, such as software, in the classroom maximizes learning potential in our students. I agree that this article is very informative and I also think that it is very important to do the research.
This article is right on point and very up-to-date. I strongly agree with our
Professor, the author of this article, that while using Educational Technology Software there is too much focus on "business" part and very little emphasis on " educating children" part.
For me as an educator this article is very useful.I took into consideration some rules how to use software in educational purpose.
First. Make a research of what we are going to use in educating of children with the help of software. It is right idea to try out the software by ourselves and pilot it with a group of children.
Second.We should not forget the children's interest at the same time. It's very important that we must conduct research effectively.
This article is a good reminder for us , educators, of how to use software in educating.
I found this article to be very informative and helpful in regard to choosing the right technology in the classroom today. As educators, we are responsible to choose the correct software that will positively effect our students. It is extremely important for us to experiment with different types of software to be sure that it will be useful for the students and not just some form of "busy work". We want our students to learn from technology, not just navigate it correctly. We need to be familiar with technology in order to introduce it. This will have a positive effect on our students in the future.
When shopping for technology I go with the latest technology. I have purchased Apple products for my wife and my son but never for myself. I have heard and read a lot of articles stating the pros and cons of introducing children to technology. What age schooled a child use a smart phone or tablets? How much TV is too much? I brought my 22 month old son a Ipad 3 mini at 18 months and loaded a lot of educational apps but I have limited his usage of it. It amazing me and those around me how he navigates my cell phone and his iPad. It make me laugh when he go to the TV and try swipe it with his figure. The children of today and how they navigate technology will not become victims of identity theft. The US needs to invests in our students education and provide of students with the best technology learning experiences.
Jaclyn Boyles
650
I completely agree! I find it hard to believe anyone wouldn't.I think it is essential to do the research. There are varies options out there, you need to navigate through in order to find the best. Sometimes taking shortcuts can be confusing. We all are striving to find a particular program that will help the one student who struggles.
Totally agree with this article, there are so many "educational" programs that claim they are standard based. The first question I would think of is "what kind of standard? and which state's standard?" This kind of trend become very popular after more than 40 states adopted common core standards as their own state standard. As educators, we really have to do enough research and set up goals for our students in order to make the technological software beneficial for learning.
I agree with this blog, that all softwares (or anything you buy) should be first researched about. This way you would know what you are getting yourself into and if it is worth it to purchase it. Also i agree that all these steps should be taken in order to do more of the "educating children" part. Unfortunately more and more as the years go by education (and pretty much everything) is for business and how to make money rather the importance of teaching or being a teacher which is- to TEACH children and EDUCATE them.
I believe that every educator should research a product first before showing it to the children. A technology device should be evaluated the same way that we look over a book, analyze it and see how this book can enhance the learning of our students.
Susana C.
650
Stavroula Theodoratos
The more you know about a certain program, the better. As a teacher, no body knows your students better than you. Even if a certain program targets a certain age, that does not mean it will be appropriate for your class. The more you know, the better.
Mariya
EDSE 650
I enjoyed reading this article because i have been wondering about This question for a long time. With all of the software available out there, how do I know which one to trust? how can I make sure that this is going to be appropriate for my students? This article answered both of these questions and much more. I agree with all of the points in this article. Educators definitely should be aware of all these points and hopefully, put them into practice to find the most appropriate software to use in their classrooms.
I agree that software in educational purposes are extremely important and many school administrators have certain difficulties with that. The choice of the software indeed should be based accordingly to the students' developmental level. Furthermore, the software should be also effective in terms of use. Students of younger ages are not able to sit for a long period and wait for Internet page to upload, or when Air Play identifies the signal from the IPad to transmit the signal on the smart-board. As a teacher, I prefer easy and simple ways to teach through interaction with children. I integrate technologies in the class. Unfortunately, I do have very little with choosing the software for my class.
the article talks about creating technology that serves the purpose of really educating children at different levels. When tech companies create these programs and software, they need to realize who their audience is and if the program can meet the standards of their intelligence level. It's not enough to just to create it by common core standards because it might not be adequate enough or appropriate for that student. Is the technology user-friendly? Does it create the environment for the child to learn successfully? These are all things that need to be considered when creating these programs.
Frieda Antebi
At my school, we recently implemented the Reading Horizons program for our struggling readers. The program is self described as interactive and it does provide feedback for how students perform in various subareas. The students are exactly impressed with the program or the evaluations it provides for the students but its usage is mandatory for a certain population of students. I think all software, interactive or not, should provide feedback through explaining wrong answers. Students learn through being corrected positively and immediately so that they are not practicing learned mistakes.
Technology has truly boomed over the past years which is quite astonishing. There is no doubt that educational technology has helped children over the years. However, many children also take it for granted. Never the less, I feel it has done more harm than good and because of this, even more technology will continue to boom and as long as the children are being monitored by an adult then they should continue to grow academically in a way they find to be interesting.
This is a very well thought out and detailed article. It includes many different things to consider before just selecting any software for the student who is struggling. The more thought and research is done before choosing, the better chances are that the student will engage in the software are benefit from it as well. Also, software is a good idea to include in our classrooms being that it familiarizes students with everyday technology and students who rarely raise a hand in class may feel more comfortable showing their skills on these online tasks.
MQ - SED650
It's always worth it to fully check first what software or apps we are buying. Otherwise, those vendors will just rob us. We should our money's worth with very useful tools that will help us and our children to gain knowledge not just merely entertainment.
I completely agree here. How could anyone possibly understand why appropriate research would not be ventured in order to provide our students with the appropriate software to help them succeed in the classroom. It's wasted time having them sit in front of the computer during precious learning hours and not benefiting from educationally.
Yes computer time is supposed to be fun but educational and informative as well.
I completely agree here. How could anyone possibly understand why appropriate research would not be ventured in order to provide our students with the appropriate software to help them succeed in the classroom. It's wasted time having them sit in front of the computer during precious learning hours and not benefiting from educationally.
Yes computer time is supposed to be fun but educational and informative as well.
Back in 2004-2008 at my daughter's school there was a variety of good software (connected with the curriculum and text-books), It worked well, because you could choose specific topics. The child could practice Math, Science,or prepare for the test.
This software was purchased by Parent committee.
There are many softwares that you can purchase for home, but unfortunately, the research part mostly is quite confusing. It is good to have some advice in this field.
As educator we have to read, research and make sure what are we showing or teaching to our students it goes with their age group. It's like reading a book for the first time to your class, without reading it before you presented. It might have something in it that you don't want.
This article is very informative. I agree with researching any sort of software especially when it deals with children. many of the times teachers won't take the time to research because they just don't have the time but it's extremely important to research the software and see if it's appropriate for the students. Taking that extra minute to look into it benefit the students and the teacher as well!
Kellyann Doran
Edsp 650
Business and politics have become a great influence on the education of children. Recently I overheard someone say that the politicians running for President do not agree with the Common Core and feel that it should not be the way children learn. Although this article isn't about the Common Core, it mentions the "business" part of education. Politicians are not former teachers who have recently been in the classroom, working day in and day out with students. Just like the business men and women who try to sell the latest gizmos and gadgets aren't. People are too quick to purchase the latest piece of technology without asking enough questions. People tend to forget that the children are the most important people to take into consideration when purchasing new things that they will be using. The questions that are being asked in regards to the new technology are all the wrong questions.
GWillis
S. Willis eDSE 650
As a teacher no body knows your students better than you, even if certain instructions target certain ages, that does not mean it will work for your entire class and every student. Differentiation is the key. Teachers know best
A. Violetta
Computer time should not be both educational and engaging. We must always think about the software we are providing to those struggling students, not just give them any type of software. We must have concrete reasoning as to why we are providing the learner with a certain software.We should be using our money's worth wisely. Using the right software will provide our children with greater in depth knowledge. We should know our programs inside and out, helping us as educators to choose the most vital software for our classrooms.
These steps to consider when purchasing technology are very important. These steps should be used in schools and administrators should keep them in mind. Conducting research effectively is important and schools need to ensure that these programs are appropriate for student learning.
Brittany E.
EdSE650
Personally I found this blog to be very interesting. The steps that you listed are very helpful. I can see myself using them when I want to purchase software for my own class. It is very important to be careful what you purchase and who your audience is. Some of the software that is out there today may not be appropriate for all children. Since I am not an expert in this area these steps will be quite useful to me.
EDSE 650 Robyn Balsam
There are so many types of educational software out there that I am, as step 1 states, very skeptical about them. Even though I try to research the most popular programs I have heard of it is often hard to choose the best one for my students. Often times, picking an educational software is out of my hands, but when I am able to chose it I do follow the steps listed in this blog. Not only do I agree that it is extremely important to be skeptical and conduct a lot of research on the different programs, but I also strongly believe that different educational software are appropriate for different students. Teachers shouldn't be afraid to use the trial and error method of choosing the right program for their students. They just shouldn't give up trying.
Jane Haddad
EDSE 650 BC
These are very valid points in the article. Computer time must be managed in an appropriate manner so that it not turn into hours of wasted time.
-Chana Tabi
It seems to me that like anything in the educational field, educators should put plenty of time and research into the material they want to present to their kids. This is a necessity for any educator that wants to be highly effective in the classroom. I completely agree with the idea of trying the software before using it, because if you don't enjoy it, why would they? Also, a lot of times education software comes with gadgets and fancy things that take the focus off student learning. Yes the software might be cool, however it is not relevant to what the students need. I believe there should be a lot of planning involved when educators decide to purchase educational software. Not all new software is the answer for teaching. Being an educator it is our responsibility to teach the right way to our students, so we must be very careful of what we use in the classroom.
-Vincent Garcia- EDSE 650
I agree that educators must be skeptical of everything. While I think technology is wonderful and should be integrated into all classroom, I think it is important to be discerning when choosing the software we used in our class. It is not enough to take the software at face value. Teachers must research the program and try it out for themselves.
Sabine Jean
After reading the article" looking Beyond and Other Musing" that was about Selecting carefully our education technology programs that we will use with children at home and in school. in my school we always make sure that students only play an educational games that they get useful from. so as of an educator I find my job is to monitor student's use of the technology during school time because all the use have to be for their educational purposes.
David Habib
EDSE650 BC
First and foremost, congratulations on a wonderful list of accomplishments thus far in the field of education. Make no mistake that your advise in this article will be taken by this particular reader. I think that it would be a bit naïve to think that the use of technology in the classroom will not continue to grow. For that reason it is essential for us to choose the best software for our children.
M Satira EDSE 650 BC
Christina Visciano
I totally agree with this article. As an educator, it is important to be aware of doing the research and testing out all the research. By doing this, we are able to see if this is suitable for our students. Most of the time, most software tends to say that it is aligned to the curriculum- but it is not.
Great steps to children's success! Through software & technology..
Kristin Palmeri
Veronika Blank EDSE 650
Excellent article. I couldn't agree more with everything said. It is important that we as educators do research on programs that we might use and how it will help our students. If we just purchase something or accept a software or program that is not beneficial for our students or doesn't help us in any way, there would be no use of it. Also, asking for a demo of a program is very important because what is the use of having it if 1. you don't know how to use it, or 2. you might not get all the benefits you could from it.
It is important to do research on anything you purchase before you buy it. Software you plan on using in the classroom you should do in dept research on since this is going to aid in your classroom learning experience. I would have to say that way more then half of products on the market advertise their merchandise to be the number one product out there and they are usually not as advertised. Same way you need to make in depth lesson plans, you need to do the same amount of work when going out to get the right kind of software you plan on using.
Dana T. Mon- Evening
The steps to consider before selecting a technology software is important. Technology software has boomed over the years and its very important that you "research before you purchase" and tried.
It is absolutely critical to research specific software and ensure that the students are receiving the best resources possible in order to be effective learners. We want our students to be working productively within technology and not dreading the experience that is supposed to be very beneficial.
-Victoria Troy
Specially for small children, technology should be used in a such way that is fun and educational at the same time for children to learn. In another words, if you use technology just to inform, children will definitely get bored quickly and they will not pay attention or be curious as if you would make more interesting by adding things that they like in the lesson.
Vivianne Beltrand, 650Ma Summer 2016
Yafit Gadaev
EDSE 650
I agree with your statement, "research before you purchase." Many school administrations, including the high school that I worked in over this past year strongly believed that if your students attend a test prep course, they will do much better on their exam. I myself worked one on one with an Austistic student who had a hard time passing his regents in the past years. once I started practicing with him he began to understand the material more clear and happened to pass all 3 regents for the year.
This article is very informative. I strongly agree with your statement regarding technology usually delivering "nothing." It is very interesting that you mentioned that most who create these technologies are not in the education field. So you bring up a great point. I believe more educators should have input in what is created and distributed amongst our classrooms.
Olga Vasquez
Ed650
Summer 2016
This article touches base on an interesting concept. The idea of software programs being sold under false hope. The article provided readers with extremely helpful hints as to how to go about implementing new types of software in our classroom and/or homes. The idea that many of these programs are being marketed with catchy slogans that say NCLB compliant or aligned with NYS standards, is very eye opening because many people see this and automatically think its a great product. I especially like what is said about remembering to think about the children, and to remember that not every child is the same and something that works great for one student may not work as well for someone else. I believe that it is important to preview all software before use and as the article states, think about the children, as you are going through the software and ask yourself questions such as will the children be engaged, is it easy for the child to navigate? I agree with what is said on this article and appreciate the truth that is provided to the readers.
Esther Rosario edsn 650
I agree that for students to use the technology we must do research beforehand. We don't want the child to be lost or become frustrated with something they don't know how to use. It is important to do the research in order to guide them to do their best.
I agree that it is very important to keep the children in mind and type of population that will be using, playing and learning from the software. One program might work for one child and not for another. Everything must be modified, to a certain extent, for the specific child that is using the software. With that being said, the adult must look into the software and try it out themselves and ask themselves "Will John benefit and like this program?" or "Will this help him with his needs?"
Ruty Israilov EDSE 650
This article is right on point. Before we rush into a well promised product we should always do research and test it out for ourselves. Many programs show off how positive they are when it comes to education but we should never fall into that trap. Mathematical programs, as well as spelling and reading software are great reinforcement tools for young students and teaching techniques. I strongly agree with the article with the points of making sure teachers always do their research first and make sure the software is what they are looking for to help their students. Not all new software is the answer for teaching. Research is critical and it must be done.
Mariya Khaimova
EDSN 650
I agree with this article, people should do research before purchasing any type of software. Technology should be used in a educational way. We need make sure that whatever we show our students or children is appropriate.
babayev eti
edsn 650
research is very important it should play a role in people in life. teachers should always do their research before educating their students. research is important as educators to find information before informing others. yea it takes time but the time is worth spending on research.
It is important that school administrators do there research before purchasing hardware and software. The technology may seem inviting and cool, however, is it really relevant? Before the decision is made,I agree there must be intense research prior to buying expensive technology.
Elliana Kim-Alzate
650
I really like this article. how many times have I just walked in a sub class unprepared and just winged it. always feeling like a fish out of water. that being said as an educator it is important to do your research and yes, be a skeptic! a lot of times in retrospect a teacher not prepared or ill informed can ruin a child's education. if your goal is to give optimum quality education for learners you got to make sure you've looked at the material/tool before using it. your students will forever be indebted to you.
Kelly Subjenski
EDSN 650
I found this post to be very informative. With all of the different "educational" technology it is vital to not be swayed by how the program is spoken about and research any and every software that we use when we are dealing with children. As the article states, not every program is going to work with every child. All children have different academic needs and therefore will need different types of software. I am very leery of products that say all encompassing grand statements. I think that the most important thing any educator or parent can do is research each and every technological product that they allow their children to delve into.
Kseniya Katanova
EDSN 650
I agree with this post that its better as teachers to do our research before teaching a class. I also believe a teacher or a parent should research these website before letting your students or children go on these website. A guardian knows better for their child. there are over 90 percent of software online that we overcome everyday. we as teachers should take advantage of those preview software's before purchasing or putting it up for the children to see.
Alan Avezov
EDSN 650
I remember learning in one of my Assessment courses that on of the purposes of assessment in the classroom is to further children's learning and development. Therefore, with this in mind, I believe that anything involved in a child's education must serve the same purpose. This article does a great job at displaying several methods to discern if certain educational initiatives are true to their purpose.
Milan Dey-Chao
EDSN650
Two phrases from this article that resonate with me: "Do not settle for mediocrity" and "Do not forget the children." It seems to me these principles work in tandem. This article raises the awareness should always ask for web trial and software trial.
As with any type of technology that you introduce to children, you should always review it first especially if it is advertised as an educational resource. Even for this class, as I was looking for websites that had games which pertained to my lesson, and I would play the game for a few minutes to see whether or not it was true to its description. Most of the time, the description did not quite coincide with what the game actually was about. I was glad I went through them first before deciding to use some of them because they definitely were not as educational as I thought they were going to be.
Debra C.
EDSN 650
I think the technology that you introduce to children should be educational. like for this class the website we looked at timez attack was very educational. the child learns and plays at the same time.
nana magali, 650, summer4, 2016
I agree that it's important to research anything thoroughly before purchasing it, especially if it's meant to keep your child safe. I also agree that it is important to review and screen any software intended for children to make sure it's safe and it's beneficial for the child. And of course, it's valuable to approach things with a skeptical and doubtful mind in order to be unbiased when researching products or software.
Samantha Laurella EDSE650
This article raises awareness that adults should always run trials before purchasing software. When doing research it is very important to read before you use something in your research. You may not like something that is provided from a site. The internet is a wonderful place for all students and even more wonderful for those who are struggling in school. Some students rely on participation from online sources while other have no trouble raising their hand in class.
Peter Piroso EDSN 650 Summer '16
No matter what, you should fully check what software or applications you buy and use. Vendors job is to sell, not teach. Just because something is expensive, doesn't mean it's good or right for your class.There needs to be a line drawn between entertainment and education.
Everything that is produced for "educational purposes" is about money. There's no if, and, or buts about it. Companies that create textbooks or educational computer software create these things because they want to make a profit. To them, it does not really matter if what they claim is true. These companies may say their software is proven to increase test scores but is it really? They could just be saying that, again, to make a buck. Schools need to preview this software before introducing it to students. As a teacher, I would ask myself, would I learn anything from this software and how many of my students would benefit from it.
I agree with everything written in this article. As educators, it is our job to be sure that anything we introduce to our students is appropriate and worth the time and effort. Reviewing the technology beforehand is a great tip. the same way a parent would review a show or music before allowing their child to view it, we should go over anything we introduce to our students.
Edward DeCamillis
EdSE650
It is a good idea to use software if the program is strong what you are trying to teach, appropriate grade level material, and has a variety of practice questions with explanations. From my experience, many students enjoy being taught in a different style. Therefore, I am in 100% agreement with you when you say that it's important to research the products before you purchase and use them. It should go without saying that this should be done
I agree with this post. People often jump to conclusions based off advertisement of the product , such as some of the sayings you mentioned in the post. " Aligned with curriculum, aligned with standards, etc.". I believe that you need to do your own research of the product as well as knowing your audience. Not every website/software will work for every child.
Technology can be a bit confusing for students who are not extremely tech savvy. When we introduce them to new programs such as games its important that we review them to make sure the children will be able to understand and follow along. The programs should be educational for the students and coincide with the lesson being taught. If the particular program doesn't for particular students then there should be accommodations made.
Alyssa Emhoff
Course 650
I couldn't agree more with you on this one. I've bought so many programs over the years, and boy-have some of them been bad!! Just open up the APP store on I tunes and see the hundreds of "educational" apps available. Most of them are garbage.
The pointers you make about taking the time to check out the validity of the claims made is crucial. Exactly right, don't forget the child, take your time and do it right.
EDSE Rachel
I agree with the opinion of the article. I feel it is necessary like anything else, to research and make sure that the information and the research you are using is legitimate and you know where it is coming from. I do agree it is like anything else like buying a car or a house you need to do extensive research and not go based solely on someones word, or a glance at it. I think this article is beneficial in the sense that it helps one know the first steps in how to research and what to be aware and look out for. Someone like myself will benefit from this article, for I am not vert experienced in certain technological terms such as: (NLCB, NCTM etc.)
I think that the "steps"to consider before choosing technology software are very helpful. I believe not only all school administrators, but also all parents will have this in mind before purchasing.
Kevin Macaluso
In today's information age it can be rather difficult to determine what the best information out there truly is. The first thing that needs to happen is you must become skeptical as mentioned in the article. Choosing not to accept something at face value can really be beneficial not only when researching, but more so in life. As with any type of technology that you introduce to children, you should always review it first especially if it is advertised as an educational resource. The most important thing is to view it through the eyes of a child because ultimately they will be the ones that will be using it for their own benefit.
I agree, as an educator it is the teacher responsibility to teach what's right, helpful, beneficial, and appropriate to the students. so a teacher must do her research carefully before deciding on a software to use in her classroom
Farah Saadeddin
Edsn 650
Reply
Christian Kaiser
EDSE 650
I found this article to be very interesting and it provided some very important aspects for the process of selecting educational technology software. The steps described in this article would really help with trying to find the right software. Researching and testing is very important today because there are so many options available especially when it comes to technology.
More and more software claims to be educational and NCLB compliant and advises in this article are great, cause I really believe that you have to do you research on educational software before buying and using it. Great to make sure that we remember about our children, do your observation, make sure you know what works for your students/kids and make sure you are able to measure the progress.
Olga Pira
650
8/29/16
The general theme of this article, though directly referencing technology, is one that can be applied to teaching as a whole. With any new instruction implemented in the classroom, (whether that happens to be a software, textbooks, curriculum, or methodology) a teacher should research, educate themselves about the benefits and potential problems, consider students needs, and then move forward accordingly. Though this process may seem obvious to teachers, they shy away from the same precautions when technology is involved, fearing that they may not know enough or be savvy enough to identify appropriate software for their classroom. This article is a nice guide for teachers that feel intimated by the plethora of technological options available, such as myself.
I agree, as an educator it is the teacher responsibility to teach what's right, helpful, beneficial, and appropriate to the students. so a teacher must do her research carefully before deciding on a software to use in her classroom
Farah Saadeddin
Edsn 650
Reply
This article was very informative,and it opened up my eyes to many things. Most of the time, I just go on the app store and download the most popular games and apps, and assume that if it is popular then it must be good. Looking through this article though, I am sure that my assumptions are not true. I need to become a skeptic and try the games before I allow my students to use them.
I agree, as an educator it is important to research a software before buying it. It is highly recommended that a teacher or even a parent try out the software first before letting a child use it. I remember looking for websites that would compliment my lesson plan. Some websites are just too good to be true. Some websites are never as good as they claim to be, teacher have to be careful.
Marie Amato
EDSN650
I agree, as an educator it is the teacher responsibility to teach what's right, helpful, beneficial, and appropriate to the students. so a teacher must do her research carefully before deciding on a software to use in her classroom
Farah Saadeddin
Edsn 650
I total agree with this post. We as educators need to look more in to the software that are being purchased for our children. It is a lot of software that just have great advisement and are really not for the education for the children.
Tantinia 650
As a mother and soon to be teacher I agree that we should research the meat and potatoes of the all technology before you decide to introduce it to our students or children. Remembering that everything that is package nicely is not always good. That being said I would have to agree with the post and the manner in which it show us how to research before buying while keeping in mind the children.
I truly agree with the article that there is just cause to be skeptical with all the new software that is available for our children as learning tools. A great deal of these softwares have great graphics and have activities that address areas our children need reinforcement in but is the approached to meeting the need appropriate, are they challenging enough, are they allowing or making them think or are they readily giving the child the answers or the solutions. I believe that software should be developed by educational experts to incorporate leading pedagogical practices. I believe that as a parents and an educator I have to be mindful of what I believe is an ideal software to allow my children access to. Software like everything else we buy we must read the fine print and "try it before you buy it."
Faye Grossman
EDSN 650
when doing work and evaluating software, its important to remember what the true goal is. while its tempting to be lazy and just implement the simplest or cheapest software, an educator must keep in mind that this is all for the greater good of his or her students and act accordingly.
Roche_EDSN 650_Fall 16
It is so important as a parent and an educator to be aware of the techonology our children are using. I think it's best to use it ourselves first and become efficient in the software in order to know if it is beneficial for the purpose you intend or not. Too often do people buy a software or product based on advertisements without doing the research or testing the software in order to know for ourselves what our children will be engaging with.
As a teacher I do believe teachers should research the technology they use in the classroom. Teachers research the materials they use to teach a classroom then they should be researching the technology. Teachers should be sifting through the technology as they do the material, figure out what is useful and move on from there. Theres plenty of technology coming out everyday and just because it is new does not mean it is useful.
Thomas Finale Mondays EDSN650 FALL 2016
It is striking how educators do not play a significant role in the development of educational technology software. It would definitely be hasty if research is not done prior to selecting software that is appropriate and effective for the targeted student population. This is a very insightful article, and it will make me think twice before a final decision is reached regarding the selection of educational technology.
Natalie Kabakov
EDSN 650
Fall 2016
Eugene Naccarato
I agree one hundred percent. These days you don't need to be a teacher to be in the classroom and I believe that is the people that are making these software also don't know anything about teaching.They do not care for the children. It's about making money and pushing their software down our throats.
I believe that you should be skeptical about software that is used for educational purposes. Also it is helpful to teahcers that share a part of a network with other educators that can share resources as well. It is also useful to look for school-based and district-wide instructional technology leaders for results of their own evaluation of educational technology software.
- Amanda Riccio
Naseer EDSN 650 FALL 2016
As educators we need to pay more attention to the technology that is being introduced to us and our students. Often times these technologies are very highly talked about but they turn out to be disaster. We need to research beforehand so we know what we are getting ourselves into.This article was very insightful on what a teacher should do before investing in any type of technology.
I am in agreement with the posting. I have 3 sons that enjoy their IPhone apps. I've previewed most of the programs before they purchased them. They don't know the required password, which makes them alert me, before a new download. Some are fun, most are educational.
In reading this article I agree that as an educator I feel that it is important to do some research about a software before purchasing it. In saying so it is vital for an educator or parent to test it out first before the child has done so. This was the case when I would look at web pages to assist me with my lesson plans. There are some that seem to help and some that just don't live up to the expectations we thought they would be. Educators must take precaution with this.
Victoriya Levkovskaya
EDSN 650 Mondays
I agree with the idea of becoming a skeptic because its so easy to be sucked into so many different things these days. Don't believe everything you hear and read and do your own research. It's so important to do research before selecting software. One great way is to ask for a full working demo and see how the software works before purchasing. This way you will know if the software will fulfill your needs and the needs of your students.
Geoffrey Zimmerman 12/12/16 EDSE 650
I agree with you wholeheartedly regarding this topic, Professor. As a teacher, our primary goal is to educate children on materials required, but to also promote ways in which to enhance lives and ask student's to find themselves and what they want to do with their future. Giving them technology that is insufficient, but promises the world, does not give them the best opportunity to succeed. It seems like the powers at be are trying to sell teachers, students, and parents the idea that the software available at school is always the best possible option.
I have always been a bit cynical and to apply that to my expectations of my student's software would be quite easy. I will always question and then test to see if the given materials are as good as they claim.
I feel this article was beneficial to read. I have not ever really chosen any software to purchase lately but might be soon. I usually just have my students play what my employer provides or what we get free on the internet. This gives me a new outlook on possibly purchasing software for my class myself.
I feel that being skeptical is a good idea. And asking the company to let you test drive their merchandise is another good idea. Ofcourse it goes without saying that we should keep the needs of the children at the forefront of our minds when considering software.
Mike L 650 Fall 2016,
I agree with all of the suggested steps to take before choosing an educational software to use. The importance put on keeping in mind the target group of students that will be using it is so important. If the people developing the software are not in touch with the group of students who will be using it and their educational needs, how could we expect to get the software we need. Paying attention in particular to the children's needs and building a software around that would definitely lead to success.... Which leads to why being a skeptic and doing thorough research is so important as also previously stated. Great suggestions!
I find this article to be very useful. It is often difficult for an educator to make an informed decision about purchasing a quality educational software. Many companies are very skilled in marketing their product - it is sometimes quite easy to catch the bait. I agree with the author that conducting an in depth research into the software company and product itself should be considered a major component of the decision making. I would definitely be more trustful of companies that work with professional educators and child development specialists throughout the entire process of the software creation. I also agree that testing the software before making a final decision about purchasing it can be considered an effective strategy.
I agree that as an educator it is our job to ensure that our students receive the best possible education they possibly can, with that said if technology is going to be used to educate children than the proper research should most certainly be done to ensure that the software being used is appropriate and easy enough for the students and also for the teachers to use and handle.
Alina Cuello
650 Monday evening class
December 12th 2016
Betty Cohen from technology class Monday night at Touro-
This was a very informative article about purchasing new software. Just because something "looks good" doesn't mean it is good. I also like the idea of testing out the software- like downloading a demo in order to see whether or not this will benefit our students. There is a lot of garbage out there and as teachers it is our job to filter the good from the bad; what will enhance our classrooms and what will be a drawback for our classrooms.
I think it is obviously extremely important that you research from top to bottom the complete software before introducing to your children and students. The mistake most people make is that they take the word from other people with doing any research. What people fail to realize is that different software works better for some people as opposed to others. The children and students are the most important aspect when weighing the beneficial summations of a particular software. Not what works best for you but what works best for them. What will make difficult tasks easier and more simplistic.
I think it is obviously extremely important that you research from top to bottom the complete software before introducing to your children and students. The mistake most people make is that they take the word from other people with doing any research. What people fail to realize is that different software works better for some people as opposed to others. The children and students are the most important aspect when weighing the beneficial summations of a particular software. Not what works best for you but what works best for them. What will make difficult tasks easier and more simplistic.
steven sena 650 evening class
I think it is obviously extremely important that you research from top to bottom the complete software before introducing to your children and students. The mistake most people make is that they take the word from other people with doing any research. What people fail to realize is that different software works better for some people as opposed to others. The children and students are the most important aspect when weighing the beneficial summations of a particular software. Not what works best for you but what works best for them. What will make difficult tasks easier and more simplistic.
I agree, as a teacher, it is important to research the software you will be using with your class. Not everything is as educational and beneficial for kids as it may look on the outside.
Christina Sciarrillo
EDSN 650
FALL 2016
I agree with the article that as educator and parents who are looking for software to help to increase their knowledge and to reinforce what they are learning in school we really need to be skeptical of every fly by night programs that are put out on the market. I also agree that it is important that we not only read the label of what the software say its going to offer but we should as the article states we should do the research and test the merchandise for it's credibility. Knowing whether its going to meet your needs as well as the need of the children you are servicing. Be skeptical means being concern about the appropriateness for your children and the educational benefits it will have for the children.
Evelyn Peterkin
Miriam Lagnado
Teachers always should make sure that the software they are using in class will be beneficial to the students. So many times software programs are labeled as educational, when in truth, it is not. As teachers and educators, it is our job to investigate all software programs being used. Being skeptical is crucial for your class's educational experience.
I believe this article was very informative, especially for a person like me who he not the best with technology! I need all the help I can get on selecting proper educational technology for my students. I think the best tip the author offers is to always remember your target audience when testing technologies. Often I am quick to criticize technology based on my own personal thoughts and beliefs and forget that I may not be the intended user. I must cast aside my own beliefs and remember the needs and wants of my students.
I hope administrators will have these steps in mind when selecting software to sue in the future in schools. By using these steps we can be more conscious about what our students and children are using on the computer and learning about. It is important that we know both our children and about the lessons we are teaching as well as the content we want the students to know specifically. Only then can we pick appropriate software to benefit the children based on their own individual needs through media. I think one of the most important steps was to try out the software ourselves. If we fail to understand it ourselves, our students won't either. Trial runs at home are always effective because they give us a chance to explore the software on our own and choose the things we want to use that will help our students. These steps help teachers allow more opportunities for students through the use of more resources. The more resources students have, the better their understanding will be. We need to remember that every single student learns differently, so we need to provide them with as many resources, and the proper resources to be successful.
-Bianca Nelms
After reading this article, I agree that it is very important to have a variety of resources. Having a variety of software options for students is excellent because it can give them opportunities to learn more through technology. Also, it is very useful advice to pre-test the software before introducing it to the students just to make sure the software is attainable.
-Jennifer Occhipinti
In my opinion, it is crucial that educators partake in doping research regarding the technology they use in a classroom. Educators take it into their hands to do research for the materials they use in their lesson plans and technology is something that should be included in that as well. Technology is constantly progressing and upgrading so in order to keep up with it and provide the best and all educational aspects for our students, it is important to look through what could be beneficial for the students.
This article is very informative, contains a lot of information that I did not know about. The information can help a lot of parents and educators because in most cases they don't research about the game before purchasing. My son likes to play a on the computer a lot, now after reading this I will be very careful and check before he purchased any game.
Erika Zumba
EDSN 650
I think it is important to know the tools you are using to teach and educate others. In order to educate others, you must first be familiar with the materials and have knowledge about the contents you are teaching. Therefore, i believe that researching is important prior to teaching.
Dan Dan xie
EDSN 650 summer 2017
I agree with this article that it's very important that teachers choose wisely the so called "educational games" we provide to our students. We should do some research before providing any games or software to our students.
Yenny Ho Wu (08/31/2017)
This article is beneficial. I agree that research is very important when clearing up any misconception, especially when looking for software to help increase the knowledge of students. It is the educators job to ensure that students receive the best education that they can and this includes choosing the most beneficial technology and software.
This is a very insightful blog post because it emphasizes to be skeptical and to think about our children. We should not assume that our software companies have our children's best interests in mind. Most of these companies are businesses interested in making money. Therefore, we as adults and protectors of our children need to do research about the reliable educational technology that will be most beneficial to our children.
I must say that with every purchase you make it is important to know exactly what the product is and if it has what you're looking for. With this article in mind I found the steps listed to be very informative and useful when purchasing technology software and keeping children in mind. Children will most likely use the technology more than adults therefore their needs should be met as well.
I am in total agreement with the author of this article. Often times educators are overwhelmed with the catch phrases used by program developers who are mainly concerned with the "business" of selling educational software and not so so much the benefits that children will truly derive from using said products. Thank you for your emphasis on the point that we as educators should carry out our own "research" before we decide to fully commit to such programs/vendors. Of equal importance is applying our knowledge of our students and their background in order to ensure the educational software we employ is efficient and effective in meeting their individual needs. This article was very informative and the points have really caused me to rethink how I purchase educational software even for my own children.
Paloma EDSN 650
I totally agree with the suggestion of stepping up your research.Teachers need to know what kind of software they are selecting to meet the needs of their students in the classroom.Setting long and short term goals is necessary to find out if the softwares used were effective in instruction activities.
I wish that this ideas in this post could be shared with all parents and those wishing to invest in technology to help their children to succeed. It is a reality that the vast majority of parents read the label claims on the software package and make their decision to purchase based on those claims. Indeed, even if they were to become skeptics, many of them will still have the technical know how to make informed decisions.
While following your recommendations should help them to navigate their way through the software maze, I think there should be some level of consumer protection offered to protect the public from unscrupulous software vendors. They should not be allowed to get away with making unsubstantiated claims on their products, thereby cheating the gullible public out of their hard earned cash. I would advocate for the establishment of some kind of a monitoring agency to ensure that advertising claims made on such educational software are accurate.
I agree it is very important to test software before. I remember the place I used to work for bought a software I assume without testing it out. It would freeze and had many features that in reality wouldn't work. It was only after a few months that they were already considering switching software's
I agree it is always important to research a software. I remember that in the place I was working they purchased a software that kept freezing and had features that in reality didn't work. a lot of money was put into this software and it was a shame that only after a few weeks they were already talking about switching software's.
Edward Giordano
I think this article is insightful. Considering i am not technology savvy, i will definitely use these steps even it is straight forward, when i become a teacher. I will say, when it comes to my son, my wife and i do research before downloading a software onto my computer or ipad. Also, i big on reading a ton of reviews to further my knowledge.
I especially agree with the idea of being a skeptic as it applies to any significant purchase you make. it's better to find problems before buying something rather than figuring it out when it is too late. The idea of asking for a trial can really help, as you'll be able to actually test the product out firsthand.
Christopher Guardino
This article is very informative and information provided will help me personally to make decisions about using or NOT using certain educational software in the future. It also make me overthink how I choose not only educational software but any educational content for my students such as videos or slideshows.
While I do believe it is important to take advice from colleges on what software works best for them, it is always important to run trials and stress test on the software before you implement it into a classroom. As you write in your article, our attempts to incorporate technology should not blindside us from our ultimate goal as teachers, which is to educate children. A non user friendly interface or troubleshooting issues will kill even the most thought out lesson, and waste more time training students to use the non-effective software, or troubleshooting issues.
Costas Benis
After reading this article, it is definitely true that software should be tested before it is used in the classroom. However, more often than not, the software that is tested manages to find a way to breakdown eventually. For instance, how many times is a brand new SmartBoard software working for a solid month and then completely shuts down. Why aren't software tested for extended periods of time. Also, when a school implements a new software they should speed up their current processors. But, everything keeps breaking and it gets to be extremely frustrating.
I think that this is the main point of our common use of "educational software" that its being used without caution and review. As this article states "there is too much focus on the "business" part and very little emphasis on the "educating children" part". It is important to keep in mind all of the steps that this article mentions. I agree that not all of those articles are made by educators and defiantly need a review.
Antonina Nefedov
EDSN 650
Kyle Noto
EDSN 650
In today's day and age switching to new software may be iffy. Schools trying to make life easier for themselves and teachers is great, but sometimes they do not put in the extra time to understand what they are buying. When these products are created, many of the creators do not have schools in mind and are probably trying to make a quick buck.It may look good on paper, but when put into actions many may begin to notice buying the software was a bad idea. It may be more complicated from what schools may have thought, and if it was bought for children one might find it as a huge learning cure that can affect them negatively. Always do research before you waste money buying a product.
I 100% agree with what you did here. It is always important to check the softwere of something that your child it going to use in order to make sure that it is suited for your child
Vincent T. Miller
EDSN 650
Spring 2018
I believe that you should be skeptical about software that is used for educational purposes. Also,it is helpful to teachers that share a part of a network with other educators that can share resources as well. It is also useful to look for school-based and district-wide instructional technology leaders for results of their own evaluation of educational technology software. Teachers should always do their research before educating their students. If there teaching it to the students.
Gabrielle Mazzaro
EDSN 650
I agree with this article. I believe that before jumping into discovering new technologies etc. for your classroom one should dive into the sea of opportunities with caution and with very low expectations. Having a low expectation of the new and "great" technology software, games and tools will leave you feeling less disappointed when they do not work up to their initial potential. It is definitely important for people to research different technologies before purchasing to avoid a faulty investment that could potentially leave you broke and frustrated.
I agree with these important key points. It is always good to test the software before using it. Also consider the different students that will be using the software and what kind of software will meet the individuals needs. I would love to share these ideas with parents and teachers.
Ruti Iskhakov
EDSN 650
03/27/18
Being skeptical about software is expected. This comes to a person who is not technologically efficient. Personally, I agree with having a full demo. You want to ensure what you are buying is essential for the students that you are teaching. Students are all different and learn differently, and therefore, finding the perfect software is important.
J, Pucci Spring 18
Post a Comment