Evaluation of Software Packages
Millie’s Maths
Ideal for junior infants. It consists of seven different
sections, each of which is related to J.I. content. Eight lesson plans, that can
be repeated twice a week each. Approximately eight hours work . The child learns
basic click and drag.
Trudy's Playhouse
Ideal for J.I.
Six lesson plans, six hours work.
The children learn to navigate about the software very quickly. Can be used
successfully in S.I.
Baily's Bookhouse
Junior Infants to begin but can be revised in Senior
Infants. Seven sections, sixteen half hour lessons. Superb software.
Starspell 2001
All classes form first to sixth.
Graded phonics scheme, delineated for each class. Recently adopted as the school
spelling scheme. Teachers can add their own spelling lists. Based on the
"look, cover, say, spell " idea. The best practice evolving for this
software seems to be about ten minutes coverage at the beginning of the computer
class on nominated spellings for that particular week. Teachers usually follow
this up with a spelling test back in the class. Results have been impressive.
Paint
S.I., First.
A clipart paint utility shipped with almost all computers free. Twenty formal
lessons teaching the basic tools . About ten hours work.
Maths Circus One
First, Second.
Superb software. Nine problem solving ideas presented at five levels of
difficulty. Best use would be twenty minutes on a nominated game at the
beginning or end of a class. Senior pupils often return to these same
problems in their own time.
Maths Circus Two
Classes: Second, Third.
Superb software. Nine problem solving ideas presented at five levels of
difficulty. Best use would be twenty minutes on a nominated game at the
beginning or end of a class. Senior pupils often return to these same
problems in their own time.
Rosetta Stone
Third to Sixth
Language Laboratory software. Learn any language from French to Russian in a
sequenced series of lessons from absolute beginners to advanced. Fourth class
really enjoyed the French. Scores and success rates are outputted. Superb
software if the preparatory work is done in the class. Thirty six levels, the
early ones were completed in fifteen minutes. Good for a change.
Storymaker 2
Easily the best software for these classes. The children
construct their own stories. Animation is excellent, database of features is
extensive. This application is taught in about ten weeks, (Ten * 45 min),
thereafter the children are sufficiently enabled to produce, save and print
their own elaborate stories. However the quality is much dependent on the
preparatory work done by the class teacher. This is the ideal lead in to word
processing because many of the necessary skills are learned here first.
Logo
Second to Sixth
Very successful where it is teacher driven during class time. A structured
and sequenced set of concepts is introduced and practised. Great facility
for estimation and problem solving. Works very well for fifteen minutes at the
beginning of the class and when the children complete their assignment (usually
a spatial problem),they move on to next item. Huge potential.
Word 2003
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth.
Ten lesson plans and workcards. Module lasts about ten weeks. All objectives are
available to the teachers.
Powerpoint 2003
Fourth, Fifth, Sixth.
Ten lesson plans and workcards. Module lasts about ten weeks. All objectives are
available to the teachers. Great scope to use their digital camera images.
Encarta Encyclopaedia + Encarta for Kids
Once the children open all the categories and know how to
use the "find" tool all the information is readily available.
This software must be teacher driven, and all the content of the history and
geography books is supplemented here.
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