Preliminary Considerations

Before we address the basics of educational software review, several preliminary considerations should be addressed. What is the target audience of the software package? Is the tool designed for young children or adult learners or somewhere in between? Can the package be used equally as well for individuals and groups of learners? What instructional strategy lies at the heart of the software? What hardware and software platforms are required to adequately run the software?

For convenience sake, let's divide these preliminary questions into four categories:

• Learner Level - For what age/developmental level is the software best suited? The classical "elementary-middle-high school" division of learner levels has faded before a richer understanding of the needs of early learners. For software evaluation today, use the following learner levels:

  Pre-K - Grade 2
  Grades 3 - 5
  Grades 6 - 8
  Grade 9 - Adult

• Learning Approach - Which instructional model/strategy provides the basic structure for the software program? The classical fourfold division of computer-assisted instruction - tutorials, drill and practice, simulations, and games - are now supplemented by online demonstrations, problem-solving, hypothesis-testing, and collaborative learning models. Also, many educational software products build on the multimedia "encyclopedia" model - an easily accessed database of resources and activities.

• Intended Audience - For what size group was the software package designed? Most educational software continues to focus on individual efforts, but some innovative tools include group and collaborative projects. Some tools even engage learners in "long distance" collaboration through shared activities on the Internet.

• System Requirements - What levels of hardware and software are required to adequately load and run the product? While many popular educational titles support dual-platforms (PC and Macintosh), some do not. Some packages require CD-ROM's and sound cards: others graphics accelerators. A growing number of applications even allow networked installations - a real benefit in light of overcrowded classrooms and limited budgets.