Educational
Software 101
By Judi Mathis Johnson
The
difference between a commercial version of a program and
an educational
version may not be evident just from looking at the
computer screen.
Examine the packaging—there’s the difference.
Commercial
programs usually come in boxes—a fair-sized cardboard
box with
a CD-ROM, a few pieces of paper, and possibly a booklet
with directions.
The front of the box is designed to attract the
“user,”
usually a child; the side (or the bottom) contains the
technical
information (such as platform, minimum memory, essential
peripherals,
etc.); and the back is designed to appeal to the nurturer
who reads
how the software might benefit the child. The cost for one
unit
is usually reasonable, but the cost for several copies
very quickly
becomes costly.
An
educational version of the program usually comes in a
larger package
with a lot less air and a lot more substance. Often the
package
contains two CD-ROMs, and both can be used at the same
time. Some
software has added features, such as better record keeping
or more
printing options. The documentation contains printed
lessons, copyable
worksheets and classroom aids, curriculum alignment, and a
list
of additional resources. The initial cost of an
educational version
is higher than the commercial, but additional copies of
just the
CD-ROM are much more reasonable.
To
emphasize this difference in a workshop, I usually hold up
a small
box of the commercial version of Kid Pix and the four-inch
binder
of the educational version.
If
you found this tidbit helpful in communicating to
teachers, administrators,
or parents about educational software, then please check
the L&L
Web site (www.iste.org/L&L)
this summer. An ongoing set of presentations about
evaluating software
will be posted. ISTE members can download these PowerPoint
presentations
to use with teachers, school board members,
administrators, preservice
teachers, and so on. The presentations will include
software examples
and screenshots.
The
first four installments will include a brief overview of
software
evaluation, simulation software, problem-solving software,
and a
comparison between educational games and drill and
practice.
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Judi Mathis Johnson (judimj@iste.org)
has evaluated educational software since 1979. She
has published
with ISTE since 1986 and continues to edit its
Educational
Software Preview Guide. Contact her at 2749
Birdsong Lane,
Powhatan, VA 23139; 804.598.6138.
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Copyright © 2000, ISTE (International Society for Technology
in Education).
All rights reserved.
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