Software Evalution #3

Software Evaluation #3 Arthur’s Reading Race

Evaluation Outline

Title of Software: Arthur’s Reading Race

Producer: Tami Sloan Tsark

Target students (e.g., age or grade-level of students): 1st- 2nd grade

Proficiency level (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced): beginning-intermediate

Description: This software is full of colorful graphics that are age appropriate for lower grades. This program provides interactive graphics that the students will enjoy - while learning and reading with Arthur. The students are able to read along with the characters and help build their fluency and comprehension. They are also able to gain letter-sound recognition and phonemic awareness.

Language Skills Targeted: Listening, reading and speaking

Evaluation: Overall the software is age appropriate for beginning readers and the students will enjoy all the interactive characters and activities. I would recommend this program for emergent readers who are at the beginning stages of language development.

Software Evaluation

Software Evaluation #2

Title of Software: Rosetta Stone

Producer: Fairfield Language Technologies

Target students (e.g., age or grade-level of students): 1st – 12th

Proficiency level (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced): All Levels

Description:
This program is designed to teach a new language quickly by using the following type of activities:

*Word/picture identification – the learner must match the correct word with the correct picture. A yellow (a) indicates the response is correct and a red (r) indicates the response is incorrect and other opportunities to respond correctly are provided.
*Listening comprehension – various forms of real-life situations are provided for the learner to listen and respond by matching the correct picture with the words.
*Writing – the learner is able to listen to words, phrases and sentences (as many times as necessary) while using the keyboard to input the correct word syntax.
*Speaking – the learner is able to hear phrases and repeat what was said while a microphone records their voice.
*Reading – one of the final activities for each level is reading. This activity allows for the learner to read the text and provide comprehensible understanding by answering questions that relate to what was just read.

All of the activities are provided in the chosen targeted language and can be used as a reinforcement of particular language skills (prepositions, nouns, etc.) and each lesson begins at a basic level and increases as the learner progresses through each level.

Language skills targeted: Listening, Speaking, Reading and, Writing

Evaluation:
Overall, the program is instructionally appropriate for any level of second language acquisition. The student will be able to navigate easily through each level and an assessment is provided for teacher evaluations. The pictures are “real-world” and most students will be familiar with the photos. Some of the situational practices could be unfamiliar but with practice the students will be able to understand the vocabulary – because of the photos.

Software Evaluation #1

Title of Software: Math & Science Excelerator

Producer: Topics Entertainment

Target students (e.g., age or grade-level of students): 4th – 5th

Proficiency level (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced): Advanced

Description:
This program uses mathematical skills that are interactive with four different characters. The characters are categorized by different mathematical concepts at various levels.

One character uses (x) and (÷). The student needs to be familiar with a calculator for multiplication and the division was easy to follow because of the use of equal groups.

Another character uses 3-D shapes (geometry) in two different formats. One format is identifying the shape with the vocabulary words (very effective for ELLs) and the other was examining the number of faces the shape has and matching the fact with the 3-D shape.

The third character used problem solving through (+), (-), and counting change and dollar bills.

The final character used a number line to count with. I wasn’t quite sure how to figure this character out so, this was not the best character for an ELL student.

What I enjoyed most with the program is the graphics. The students would really enjoy how creative the producers were with the characters. I also found that the level of difficulty can be adjusted easily by simply using the letters of the alphabet A being the easiest and Z being the most difficult.

Language skills targeted: Mathematics and, basic vocabulary

Evaluation:
The programs strengths include animation, colorful graphics, easy to follow directions and basic mathematical concepts. The weaknesses include unfamiliar vocabulary for an ELL that is not mathematically related. I feel that this program would benefit an ELL who is already familiar with their L2 and has had previous experiences (in other subjects) with their L2. It would not be beneficial for a newcomer because of the difficult vocabulary and unfamiliar concepts in the L2. Despite these minor flaws, I would use this program as reinforcement of previous skills taught and also for a “time filler” for those students who complete assignments more quickly.

The method of approach that this program uses to teach language is very minima but has some strong vocabulary lessons. In the geometry lessons, (x), and (÷) there is a lot of vocabulary being reinforced (divided by, multiplying, faces, figures, etc.) which is very useful for an ELL and any student who is struggling with simple mathematical terms.