This case study examined the educational software evaluation processes of pre-service teachers who attended either expertise-based training (XBT) or traditional training in conjunction with a Software-Evaluation checklist. Forty-three mathematics teacher candidates and three experts participated in the study. All participants evaluated educational…

The number of educational software packages on today's market is growing steadily. A large percentage of them are found to be of poor quality in terms of instructional and/or technical design. Arguing that a microcomputer in the classroom is only as effective as the software used with it, the first part of this digest provides an overview of the…

This document consists of 80 microcomputer software package evaluations prepared by the MicroSIFT (Microcomputer Software and Information for Teachers) Clearinghouse at the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory. Set 15 consists of 27 packages; set 16 consists of 53 packages. Each software review lists producer, time and place of evaluation,…

This document consists of 68 microcomputer software package evaluations prepared by MicroSIFT (Microcomputer Software and Information for Teachers) Clearinghouse at the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory. There are 26 packages in set 13 and 42 in set 14. Each software review lists producer, time and place of evaluation, cost, ability level,…

This document consists of 170 microcomputer software package evaluations prepared by the MicroSIFT (Microcomputer Software and Information for Teachers) Clearinghouse at the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory. Set 11 consists of 37 packages. Set 12 consists of 34 packages. A special unnumbered set, entitled LIBRA Reviews, treats 99 packages…

Proposes guidelines to enable the consistent and thorough review of instructional interactive video packages. Presented in outline form, the evaluation criteria include package information, documentation and support materials, role of the computer in instruction, role of video and audio in instruction, and the computer videodisc mix. (CLB)

Presents a comprehensive evaluation model that could be applied to computer-based education programs in a variety of arts and sciences areas. The model includes stages which consider program capability, content evaluation, hardware selection, individual lessons, students' progress, equipment availability, student attitudes, cost effectiveness,…

The seven stages in the system development process are discussed in the context of implementing basic arithmetic drill and practice exercises on a computer-based system: (1) feasibility study; (2) requirements definition; (3) alternative specifications; (4) evaluation and selection of an alternative; (5) system design; (6) development and testing;…

The various criteria upon which interactive video courseware can be judged are outlined. The criteria relate to the critical areas of program usage, content, interactivity, production, presentation, design, and programming. The mnemonic HICUPPP is introduced to describe seven key areas that categorize criteria which can be used to evaluate…

Although many of the criteria used to evaluate traditional instructional materials can be applied to the instructional aspects of computer-assisted instruction, additional criteria must be considered. These include interactivity, individualized feedback, rapid calculation, graphics, and cost-effectiveness. (JOW)

A qualitative, holistic framework is presented for the process of evaluating foreign language software. Eleven specific steps are outlined, and a list of educational software evaluation agencies is appended. (Contains 21 references.) (LB)

This guide developed by MicroSIFT, a clearinghouse for microcomputer-based educational software and courseware, provides background information and forms to aid teachers and other educators in evaluating available microcomputer courseware. The evaluation process comprises six stages: (1) sifting, which screens out those programs that are not…

The relative worth of any evaluation instrument depends on user needs and the material being evaluated. Potential users of a good computer assisted instruction (CAI) instrument include purchasers, authors, reviewers, and publishers of CAI materials. Although each user has unique needs, a good instrument will serve both to educate and discriminate,…

Describes assessment procedures used to select winners of the EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL (National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning) Higher Education Software Awards program; presents the evaluative criteria used for software assessment; and lists the award-winning software for 1987. (32 references) (LRW)

Five guidelines are presented for selecting educational courseware. Student behavioral objectives should be stated. Motivational and informative feedback should be provided. The type of student control should be appropriate to the learner and the task. The content should be accurate, and the pedagogical approach should be acceptable to the school…