Artifact # 2
Artifact
Software Evaluation- a review of the software game “Where in the United States is Carmen San Diego?” It is an educational game, as well as a fun tool to use for many levels of learners.
Context
This evaluation was done as part of my undergraduate studies at Appalachian
State University. As part of the assignment, we were required to
master the game, and critique it based on an elementary teachers point
of view.
Impact
The assignment is designed to be a reference for the appropriate use
of software in education. Parents and teachers can refer to the evaluation
for help in choosing resources for learning. This assignment would
be a valuble tool in a fifth grade social studies curriculum, which focuses
on the United States. It could also be used for other grade levels
learning geography, maps, or to find information about specific regions
in the United States. “Where in the United States is Carmen San Diego”
is an excellent tool for students on all grade levels.
Alignment
The evaluation allowed me to review a tool for learning that I would
recommend and use in my classroom. I was required to state the advantages
and disadvantages of the game, and determine the nature of its use in an
educational environment. For the evaluation, I had to analyze the
game for its content and its benefits for education to be used as a resource
for other teachers, or parents (Tech
Comp 10.3). This game would be appropriate for students in a
fifth grade curriculum and could be used as a resource for other grade
levels (Tech
Comp 10.6). Using technology to facilitate learning is a fun
and effective way to teach students material. Carmen San Diego can
be used to learn about specific content area while also improving technological
skills (Tech
Comp 11.3). “Where in the United States is Carmen San Diego” is a game
designed to help students learn about the United States, which includes
geography, information about the states, maps, and overall characteristics
of the U.S. This game is specific to the North Carolina fifth grade
curriculum (Tech
Comp 11.4). One major advantage of this game is that it
is played on levels. This gives the opportunity for many different
levels of children to play and enjoy the game as I have noted in my software
evaluation (Tech
Comp 13.1).