Evaluating Software for Class Discussion

Greetings All,
1. Note:
*The following articles are what I submitted earlier this month. I have had problems with my laptop for the past few days and I am still troubleshooting, so I am using my husband’s laptop. Somehow my internet connection is not working on my computer.
*We are approaching the time to submit our work for discussion/presentation (Group #1: 3 / 4 to 3/10)
Question: What do you all think about a timetable?
2/24 Decide on Research Article & Web links for Presentation (Wednesday)
2/25 to 2/26: Work on Discussion questions; 2/28 Finalize questions for discussion;
3/1 Finalize additional reading for reservation for our assigned week.
Question: How and who will collaborate for setting the discussion within the classroom link?

2. Research Article Input:
Bernas, R.S., Gibbs, W., Graves, P.R., 2001, Evaluation Guidelines for Multimedia Courseware, Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 34:1(p2-17).
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=57&hid=12&sid=3e7ff489-37bf-4690-82b9-120eec4f4aee%40sessionmgr12
In this research study, participants in the evaluation process modified all but four questions in the study. The questions were as follows (see p. 13 in the document):
1. Do learners have a sense of positions within the courseware?
2. Is the courseware screen layout (screen elements-titles, text areas, navigation buttons, etc…)easy to understand?
3. Does the user guide or online documentation provide sufficient detail and complete indexes of the information available in the courseware?
4. Are instructions for software installation and operation explicit, accurate and complete?
According to this article, “ The increased availability of instructional courseware generally, and poor-quality courseware particularly, engendered attempts to develop methods for software assessment (Shell & Schueckler, 1989) and helped evaluation more common. The importance of evaluation is recognized , and it is vitally important for educators to partake in software reviews (Dudley-Marling & Owson, 1987; Zahner, Reiser, Dick, & Gill, 1992)…Evaluation entails methodical decision making about the value of a particular object and indentification of reliable methods with which to base decision or judgements (Gros & Spector, 1994) (Bernas,R.S., et.al)”.

Herring, D.F., Notar,C.E., Wilson, J.D., 2005, Multimedia Software Evaluation Form for Teachers, Education, 126:I (100-111).
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdf?vid=60&hid=12&sid=3e7ff489-37bf-4690-82b9-120eec4f4aee%40sessionmgr12
According to this article, “ The evaluation of educational software has become a critical information skill for teachers. Based on the definition of ‘highly qualified teacher’ as charged in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), new teachers are “not qualified” in their program of study does not include an Instructional Technology class. It is recognized that the most successful technology-using teachers function with relative independence more as instructional designers that lesson planners (Herring,2005, p100) .”
“Multimedia, hypermedia training materials and computer based and aided instruction are part of the teaching profession. Teachers have for years been on textbook selection communities. Now teachers will be on software selection communities (Herring, 2005,p102).
3. Question Input:
What do you think about the following discussion questions:
a. What is the purpose of evaluation software? What are the benefits of choosing effective software versus using programs supported on the internet?
b. How can evaluating software be used to support your school? Your students?


Isabel