Software Evaluation Assignment
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The document evaluates and compares potential software options for Komarek School's 1:1 initiative and math department. For communication software, Schoology is recommended over Edmodo as it has more robust discussion capabilities, is more compatible with iOS, and will integrate better with their student information system in the future. For math software, Geometer's Sketchpad is recommended over Math Success Deluxe as it is more interactive, aligned to standards, compatible with their devices, and has available curriculum materials.
Software Evaluation Assignment
- 1. Software evaluation Amy O’Toole, Graduate Student Concordia University
- 2. Problem #1: Communication Software • Komarek School’s 1 to 1 initiative • 5th through 8th grades • Turn in homework electronically • Communicate with students and parents • Collaborate on assignments • Check academic progress • Ability to post homework
- 3. Evaluation Rubric ~adapted from Instructional Technology and Media for Learning Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet Cost Free or Lower than Budget Within Budget Not within Budget Appropriate 5th-8th grade Language and Interface is understandable for students Language and Interface is somewhat understandable for students Language and Interface cannot be understood by students 24 hour Technical Support 24/7 hour online and phone support 24 hour online support No support provided Knowledge Base Available Searchable knowledge database FAQ section No Knowledge Database or FAQ section Easy to Use Easy-to-use interface, minimal training needed Somewhat easy interface, may require training Difficult to navigate, training needed in order to use
- 4. Rubric Continued . . . Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet Training Provided Webinars and In- service Training Provided Webinar Only Training No Training Provided Aligned with Common Core Aligned with Common Core Aligned with State or other objectives Not Aligned with any state or other objectives Ability to Submit Homework Electronically Students can easily submit homework and receive feedback from teachers Students can submit documents to teachers, but cannot receive feedback Students cannot submit anything to teachers nor receive any feedback Create Test/Quizzes Teachers can create online test and quizzes Teachers can create tests and quizzes with limitations Teachers cannot create any test or quizzes Access on Mobile device Users can use this software on their mobile device Some users can use this software on their mobile device Cannot access this software with a mobile device
- 5. Rubric Continued . . . Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet Interact with Students Students can interact freely with teacher Students can interact occasionally with teacher Students cannot interact with their teacher at all Interact with Parents Parents can check the status of their child’s academic progress with minimal help Parents can check the status of their child’s academic progress with help Parents cannot check the academic progress of their child Interactive Calendar All students assignments appear on one calendar regardless of teacher Students have to check different calendars for different teachers’ assignments There is no calendar to check assignments
- 6. Learning Management Software (LMS) Edmodo Schoology
- 7. Edmodo vs. Schoology Features Edmodo Schoology Cost Exceeds Exceeds Appropriate 5th-8th grade Exceeds Exceeds 24 hour Technical Support Meets – no phone support Meets – no phone support Knowledge Base Available Exceeds Exceeds Easy to Use Exceeds Exceeds Training Provided Meets – online only Meets – online only Aligned with Common Core Meets – Math & ELA only Exceeds
- 8. Edmodo vs. Schoology continued . . . Features Edmodo Schoology Ability to Submit Homework Electronically Exceeds Exceeds Create Test/Quizzes Exceeds Exceeds Access on Mobile device Excceds Exceeds Interact with Students Exceeds Exceeds Interact with Parents Exceeds Exceeds Interactive Calendar Meets Meets - (available in paid version)
- 9. What others are saying . . . Edmodo • PLCs “its (Edmodo’s) professional learning networks are more mature and active than those in Schoology” ~ • Create small groups • Badges, incentives Schoology • Integrates better with iOS • Discussions • Assessment builder • Analytics • Update feed better to understand “Schoology is closer to the one- stop-shop for full learning management” ~ Robert Schuetz
- 10. Recommendations • Schoology would be the best fit for Komarek School • Discussions capabilities more robust • More compatible with iOS • Test/Quizzes capabilities more robust • Looking ahead paid version integrates with PowerSchool, existing LMS
- 11. Problem #2: Math Software Math Department looking for software to: • Help students ability to reason spatially • Word problems involving numbers • Word problems involving geometric thinking
- 12. Math Software Evaluation Rubric ~adapted from My Education Toolkit Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet Cost Free or Lower than Budget Within Budget Not within Budget Installation Can Install on the Network, or create an image Easy to Install, clear directions Complex to install, difficult directions to follow Technical Support 24/7 hour online and phone support 24 hour online support No support provided Grade Level Language and Interface is understandable for students Language and Interface is somewhat understandable for students Language and Interface cannot be understood by students Standards Aligned to Common Core Standards Aligned with State or Other Standards Not Aligned with any standards
- 13. Math Software Evaluation Rubric continued … Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet Active Learning Students are actively engaged during all components of the software Interaction offers average active learning, some activities too passive Interaction is passive, no active learning encouraged Save Features Both automatically and manually, students work can be saved and restarted from the same point Students can save their work to continue working on it in the future Students cannot interrupt and save work Hardware Compatibility Works on all machines without upgrades or add- ons Will work on most machines with minimal upgrades or add-ons Will work on only a few machines, required additional hardware to work properly
- 14. Math Software Evaluation Rubric continued … Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet Compatible with EnoBoard Will work on all EnoBoards without upgrades or add-ons Will work on most EnoBoards with minimal upgrades or add-ons Will not work with Eno Boards, requires additional hardware to work properly Available activities, lesson plans, curriculum Material is provided by vendor and easy to locate Lesson plans and activities available to use with software No teacher materials or activities provided by the vendor Report/Analytics Ability to generate reports on students’ strengths and areas of needed growth Ability to generate reports on student progress No reporting ability
- 15. Geometer’s Sketchpad vs. Features Geometer’s Sketchpad Math Success Deluxe Cost Exceeds ($4.50 p/student) Exceeds ($12 p/student) Installation Exceeds Meets Technical Support Exceeds Exceeds Grade Level Exceeds Exceeds Standards Exceeds Exceeds Active Learning Exceeds Does Not Meet Save Features Exceeds Exceeds Hardware Compatibility Exceeds Exceeds Compatible with Eno Board Does Not Meet Does Not Meet Available activities, lesson plans, curriculum Exceeds Meets Report/Analytics Does Not Meet Does Not Meet
- 16. Geometer’s Sketchpad vs. Math Success Geometer’s Sketchpad • Compatible with iPads • Comes with curriculum • Online tutorials • Sketch Exchange – online help community • Works with SMART Board, not sure about Eno Boards Math Success • Emphasis on geometry • Aligned with Common Core Standards • Access to Tutor.com for additional help • Not very interactive
- 17. Recommendations • Geometer’s Sketchpad • Mac and iPad compatible • More interactive, engaging • Curriculum available • Aligned to Common Core Standards • Within budget
- 18. References Edmodo support. (2014). Retrieved from: https://support.edmodo.com/home#teacher Magiera, J. (2013, February 24). Schoology vs. Edmodo, round 2 - also, why Schoology solved my iPad workflow woes. Retrieved from: http://www.teachinglikeits2999.com/2013/02/schoology-vs-edmodo-round-2.html. Ritter, M. (2013, July 23). 10 reasons I prefer Schoology over Edmodo. Retrieved from: http://talktechwithme.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/10-reasons-i-prefer- schoology-over-edmodo/ Smaldino S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2008) Instructional technology and media for learning. (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. The Geometer’s Sketchpad. (2104). Retrieved from: http://www.keycurriculum.com/ Top Ten Reviews. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.toptenreviews.com/pdfdocs/prod_110.pdf