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Educational Software
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here to see our selection of Educational Software.
 If
school has budgeted money for computer
software, where do you begin? What software that will
suit your needs? What are management systems, and do you need to
purchase one?
Software Comes First
Choose your software before deciding what hardware and platforms
you will use. This way you can be sure that the programs you choose
will work efficiently.
All software that you purchase has specific system requirements.
If you already have your hardware, narrow down your software choices
to those that will fit with your system and its capabilities. For
example: If you have a networked system, be sure to see if the software
you are looking at has a networked version.
What Kind of Program?
The kind of program that will work best has to do with your uses
for technology in your curriculum. For example: thematic units that
will reinforce what is taught in the classroom or do you want software
offering tools that correlate with your curriculum?
There are three options to consider
· Integrated learning systems.
These programs cover several skills. Some lend themselves to thematic
units and are usually geared more for the elementary level. Two
examples are Jostens and Computer Curriculum Corporation. Some integrated
learning systems are so comprehensive that you must also have a
management system so teachers and students can utilize all that
is available.
· Curriculum-oriented programs.
These are the most common kind of software packages. Choosing the
best from what is available is quite a task. Knowing your needs
and how this software will be integrated into your curriculum will
help you narrow your search.
· Tool software.
This is not limited to a specific curriculum, but it is cross-disciplinary
and helps students create project. For example: HyperStudio and
HyperCard, will provide a platform for students to work collaboratively
to build webbed projects—a topic is chosen, each student is
responsible for researching an aspect of that topic and the software
ties it all together in a webbed platform. Systems like Power Point
are linear in their presentation and don't offer a webbed option.
Also available are integrated packages. Examples of this kind of
tool are Microsoft Works or Lotus Works. Paint programs and presentation
software are often included in these packages.
Be sure to preview the software and ask questions such as:
Will this program operate on the system you currently have?
Is the program up gradable annually, or is it "as is"?
Some software programs will include purchase the option of a certain
number of "free" upgrades. Others will give you discounts
towards the next upgrade. Some will not include any kind of upgrade
price break for the next version when it's released.
Ask how much training comes with the program? This is the most
important question you should ask when choosing your software. Without
training, you will never be able to optimize your software program.
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