This software evaluation was one of the first one-on-one activities I did with my Portrait of a Learner student, Joanne.  I really enjoyed learning more about my student and her potential in learning more about Mathematics.
      Joanne is in Mrs. Jones’s third grade class at Bethel Elementary School.  Mrs. Jones explained to me that Joanne was a little below grade level in Math.  She was especially having problems with the concept of money.
      After conducting my lesson with Joanne, I once again discovered her need of individualization.  She will progress so much more with the assistance of a tutor.  I perceived both positives and negatives with Joanne’s interaction with the money software lesson in which Joanne partook.  I noticed she thoroughly understood the concept of producing amounts of money with given change or dollars.  She knew how many dimes, quarters, nickels, pennies, and half dollars made a dollar, and so on.  She became very excited when she answered correctly.  She did however, use a lot of finger counting, which was discouraging.  (From past experience with Joanne, I knew she did not need to use fingers to count.).  I noticed quite often that Joanne would use her sense of humor when she struggled.  It took much out of me to get her back on task.
      I feel as if I guided Joanne moreso, than actually teaching her.  I did teach her about this particular aspect of the software (Money).  The software, Math Keys by MECC (1995) has many categories ranging from very elementary (counting), to fractions and decimals.  Joanne would never challenge herself, only participating in the easy math.  This lesson was the first time Joanne ever tried the money category.  I taught her about certain movements and strategies, which she was fascinated with.  She caught on very quickly with the instructions I gave to her.
      I learned Joanne needs motivation and a boost in self-esteem when it comes to challenges.  More individual help will definitely result in improvement from Joanne.
      Once decimals are introduced to Joanne, I would use the plan again, only adding more addition and subtraction of money.  I felt my plan was a success.  There was enough Joanne understood easily, and enough of a challenge.
      I believe carefully planned and organized centers within a classroom are essential.  They encourage independence and self-exploration.  This software, along with a worksheet (similar to the plan used with my Portrait of a Learner student) is a beneficial way to get students into Math.  In a third grade classroom of my own, I would implement this software, but I would emphasize to all students that I do not want to witness them doing the counting program, only Math on their grade level.