Software+and+Teaching-Learning

 D. Software and Teaching/Learning  Final Edit by Michele Schaefer and Erin Landrum

1.  Provide detailed information on **Administrative Software**: Administrative software refers to software that is used by many businesses and school districts to manage the institutions using technology. Administrative software can range from the simple ways to store data to a very complex model that can manage everything that takes place. Over the past few years administrative software has become especially valuable to school districts. It can provide scheduling calendars for the administration, teachers, and students as well as managing grades, attendance, and finances. Some administrative software even has the capability to provide communication between teachers, parents, students, and administrators regarding grades, assignments, and even discipline reports. Because these software systems range in complexity, the price ranges as well. Most websites for the administrative software companies require school districts to apply for a quotation on costs. It is important for school administrators to select the best software for their particular school district based on size, needs of the district, costs, and availability of updates, although software is always being updated. Included in the top rated administrative software at this time are Skyward Software, Ren Web, Time Clock Plus, Dynamic Data Conceptions, and Focus School Software. Spam blocker software, which is considered to be administrative software, must be provided on district computers. There are many types of administrative software that can help school districts manage their institutions in a more efficient and cost effective manner. 2.  Provide detailed information on  **  Academic  Software**: Academic software is similar to administrative software in that there are many programs to choose from and it is used to enhance education. This software is used primarily by students and may overlap the academic and administrative areas. Gearfire is one type of academic software that is a newsletter and blog that helps improve student organization and productivity. This site allows students to share advice, chat with tutors, read study tips, and complete practice quizzes. Gearfire can also send periodic progress reports to parents. Other academic software includes programs like Microsoft Office Student and Adobe which are used in the classroom (JourneyED). Basic Math Solver 2008 and Citation 9 Student Edition is similar to Microsoft Office Student but is subject-matter specific. These applications provide students with extra practice and template that they can use in their content area courses. PBwiki is an academic software program that allows students to collaborate with each other. Many programs also provide students with interactive practice including manipulations which can increase understanding and retention in the classroom. Using content area specific games, such as Math Blaster, provides more engaged practice for students (CNET Reviews). Academic software is important because it allows students to build on the knowledge base they already have and also enables them to explore technology in a controlled setting.   3. How can you evaluate software for teaching and learning?

Evaluating software for teaching and learning is crucial for programs which integrate technology in the classroom. The quality of software can be evaluated before purchasing, during instruction, or following use. There are various ways in which to do this. It is important to select software that will best meet the needs of your classroom. The use of evaluation organizations, online reviews, and cost comparisons are effective ways to evaluate software before purchasing. (Stirling) When searching for the evaluation organization you will use, it is important that the organization has access to student data from schools already using the software. Reiser and Kegelmann's article titled "Evaluating Instructional Software: A Review and Critique of Current Methods" stresses the use of these organizations in order to get ample information about software before a school district purchases it. Online reviews and cost comparisons are easily accessible and provide more in depth information about the makeup of the software. Cost comparisons are important to keep your district on budget. (Popkin) Although these evaluation methods are usually done long before purchase, it is also important to continue your evaluations during instruction when the software is being implemented by students. One of the best ways to do this and be available for your students is with the use of teacher and student checklists. This can be in the form of a log students complete when they use the particular software. The list may be very short or very complex based on the needs of the evaluation. It may include questions regarding amount of time needed to open software, what was learned, was the software engaging, etc. While students are working, teachers may also complete their own checklist with similar questions based on their observations of students. Following instruction teachers may base other evaluation on the overall achievement of students. It is important to assess what students learned when using the software. This may be compared to data acquired before the software was used to see if it was helpful to students. All of these evaluation methods may be easily adapted to different classroom and software types. 1.    (2003, December 28). A System for Evaluating Muhlenberg's Academic and Administrative Departments. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Muhlenberg College Web site: [] Description: This website provides information as to how one academic and administrative software provider handles evaluations of their product. 2.  Stirling, Deborah Lynn (1999). Evaluating Instructional Software. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Stirling Communications Web site: [] Description: This is an article about effective software evaluation methods by Deborah L. Stirling. The article gives detailed information about evaluation organizations, user surveys, checklists, etc. 3.  Blackbaud Inc., (2009). The Education Edge. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Blackbaud Web site: [] Description: This website gives information based on specific administrative software and what it offers to school administration. 4.  Wilcomp Software L.P., (2008). Retrieved April 13, 2009, from School Management Software Web site: [] Description: This particular company provides administrative software. It gives information about what their product can provide for a school district. 5.  (2009). Academic Software. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Academic Superstore Web site: [] Description: This is the website of a retailer that specializes in academic software for schools. This can be helpful when doing price comparisons or finding software for a particular need. 6.  (2009). JourneyED. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Journey Education Marketing Inc. Web site: [] Description: This is a website that sells academic software to not only school districts, but also directly to teachers and students. This website is a wholesale market for software.
 * 1)   20 Related Websites:

7.  (2009). Private Schools: Software and Other Programs For Administrators. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from About.com Web site: [] Description: This page provides links to administrative software providers. It also has information about what administrative software is and why it is so useful in educational institutions. 9.    (2009). PBWiki. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from PBWiki Inc. Web site: [] Description: This was one example of academic software used today. The site allows students to be actively involved in their education through collaboration. 10.  (2009). Student Tips. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from GearFire Web site: [|http://www.gearfire.net] Description: This is an example of a weblog that is available to students which enables them to actively collaborate with other students and teachers. 11.    (2007, May 17). CNET Reviews: Software. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from CBS Interactive Inc. Web site: [] Description: This webpage is customer reviews about academic software brands. This page may be beneficial for both teachers and parents alike. 12.  Haney, S., & Others, A. (1992, January 1). Software Forum: A Conversation about Software, Technology, and Composition Studies. //Computers and Composition//, //10//(1), 151-68. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ455630) Retrieved April 13, 2009, from ERIC database. Description: This is an online article that offers educational opinions regarding the newest academic software available. 13.  Kerr, J. Software Evaluation. Retrieved April 13, 2009, Web site: [] Description: This website provides you with an example of checklist evaluation for software used in education. 14.    (2007). Educational Software. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Educational Resources Web site: [] Description: This website is a resource for educational institutions. It provides information on various types of academic and administrative software for schools. Products may also be purchased from this website. 15.  Blackboard Inc. . (2008). Blackboard Inc. . In //Wikipedia//  [Web]. Wikipedia Foundation Inc. . Retrieved April 13, 2009, from [] Description: This webpage gives specific information about Blackboard, a form of academic software used by many schools and universities. 16.    (2002, November 4). An Educator's Guide to Evaluating Claims About Educational Software. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Learning Point Associates Web site: [] Description: This website provides information regarding how to evaluate software based on the claims of effectiveness. 17.    Valesky, T., Memphis State Univ., T., & Others, A. (1986, January 1). Administrative Software Evaluations for Schools. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED288495) Retrieved April 13, 2009, from ERIC database. Description: This article provides detailed information about how to evaluate administrative software used in schools.

18.    (2009). Academic Software. Retrieved April 13, 2009, from Academic Software Inc. Web site: [] Description: This company is an official educational software provider. It gives information regarding pricing and reviews on academic and administrative software. 19.  DeLoughry, T. (1988, February 17). Plan for Scholars to Review Peers' Academic Software Is Announced by College Computing Consortium. //Chronicle of Higher Education//, //34//  (23), A13,18. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ366336) Retrieved April 13, 2009, from ERIC database. Description: This article reveals a new plan to compose of a peer review system for academic software. This is important information in the education field because such a system could dramatically help administration make decision on what software will work best for specific classrooms. 20.  Popkin, Minna (2000, July 24). A Faculty Guide to Academic Software Selection. Retrieved April 13, 2009, Web site: [|__http://www.conncoll.edu/is/info-resources/software-eval/guide.html__] Description: Popkin, a former software evaluator at a major university gives her insight on the most effective software evaluation methods.