Rationale 13: Database of Software Evaluation
Competency 10.6 “Locate, evaluate, and select appropriate teaching/learning resources and curriculum materials for the content area and target audience, including computer-based products, videotapes and disc, local experts, primary documents and artifacts, texts, reference books, literature, and other print sources.”
Competency 12.1 “Develop performance tasks that require students to (a) locate and analyze information as well as draw conclusions and (b) use a variety of media to communicate results clearly.”
Competency 13.1 “Use media and technology to address differences in children’s learning and performance.”
Context:
In groups of five we rotated to different stations to view different software programs. When looking at each software program we filled out a paper on each of the programs listing the title, publisher, age level, description, objective, strengths, weaknesses, rating, and if we recommended the software for others to use. After viewing six different software programs I used Microsoft Works to make my artifact to meet these competencies. I used Microsoft Works to make a database of my evaluations from the software programs. After filling in each field from my information I gathered I did a sort, putting the software programs titles in alphabetical order. I printed the sort out and did a filter for the software by getting the database to filter out the programs that I rated greater than three, and printed the filter out too.
Impact:
By making the database of the software programs it enhanced my knowledge of how to make databases. As a teacher I know of several different software c.d.’s to use in the classroom. I also know now which software to pick out and use in my classroom that will benefit my students and me. Making the database will also be useful to me in the classroom as a way to organize different things I will use in my classroom.
Alignment:
Making the database of the software programs met competency 10.6 because I used different software programs to find out which software was best for the appropriate age level and the software programs touched on many different content areas such as, math, language arts, and science. The database also met competency 12.1 because as a group we analyzed a variety six different software programs to draw conclusions about what we thought about the program for further use. Yet another competency was met making the database and that was 13.1 because we looked at several different software programs that can be used with many different children of all ages. The programs used different learning styles and methods for children of all learning abilities. Using different software allows many different children to learn at their own speed and ability.
This artifact meets INTASC principle 3 because after evaluating a number
of different pieces of software, I am prepared to make lesson plans that
are suitable to all of my students. Many times a classroom will have
students on different levels that cannot work at the same speed.
The database software allows the teacher to plan instruction to meet the
needs for diverse students.