Minimum Criteria Checklist for Evaluating Instructional Courseware

Title:  StoryBook Weaver                                 Publisher  MECC
Content Area  Literature                                   Grade level   K-6
Hardware Required:  Mac or pc with sound, CD, mouse, 256 color, 
Where software can be used:                            ___X_individual    __X__small group    __X__whole class

Instructional Goal for which the Courseware is being considered

Courseware functions:

Enter a Y for yes and a N for no when considering the features below.

Instructional Design and Pedagogical Soundness

• __Y__Teaching strategy appropriate for student level and is based on best-known methods
• __Y__Follows recognized standards for academic area
• __Y__Presentation on screen contains nothing that misleads or confuses students
• __Y__Readability and difficulty at an appropriate level for students who will use it
• __Y_Comments to students not abusive or insulting
• __Y__Graphics fulfill important purpose (motivation, information) and not distracting to learners

Criteria specific to drill and practice functions:

• __Y__high degree of control over presentation rate (unless the method is timed review)
• __Y__Appropriate feedback for correct answers (none, if timed; not elaborate or time-consuming)
• __Y__Feedback is more reinforcing for correct than for incorrect responses

Criteria specific to tutorials:

• __Y__High degree of interactivity (not just reading information)
• __Y__High degree of user control (forward and backward movement, branching upon request)
• __Y__Comprehensive teaching sequence so instruction is self-contained and standalone
• __Y_Adequate answer-judging capabilities for student-constructed answers to questions

Criteria specific to simulations:

• __Y__Appropriate degree of fidelity (accurate depiction of system being modeled)
• __Y__Good documentation available on how program works

Criteria specific to instructional games:

• __Y__Low quotient of violence or combat-type activities
• __Y__Amount of physical dexterity required appropriate to students who will use it

Content

• __Y__No grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors on the screen
• __Y__All content accurate and Up-to Date
• __Y__No racial or gender stereotypes
• __Y__Exhibits a sensitive treatment of moral and/or social issues

User Flexibility

• __Y__User normally has some control of movement within the program (can go from screen to screen at desired rate; can read text at desired rate; can exit program when desired)
• __Y__Can turn of sound, if desired
• __Y_User can stop program and restart close to ending point in any scenarios or activities.
• __Y__Optional exploration of related content/issues

Technical Soundness

• _Y/N___program loads consistently, without error
• __Y__Program does not break, no matter what the student enters
• __Y__Program does what the screen says it should do

Decision

• ____is recommended for purchase and use by teacher:________________________
• _Y___is recommended for purchase of _5___ copies for grades__K-3__
• _Y___is recommended for purchase of __1__ for library or learning center
• ___is not recommended

Training

• ____teachers install and use without training
• __Y__instructional technologist (or learning recourse person) helps were necessary
• __Y__one or more teachers present program and help others use
• ____afternoon workshop for for adopting teachers, ____grade teachers, ____content teachers
• ____summer workshop for adopting teachers, ____grade teachers, ____content teachers.
• ____release time for training needed

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