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CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING COMPUTER
COURSEWARE
Content
Accuracy:
- Error-free information
- Current information
- Objective, balanced presentation of information
- Bias-free viewpoints and images
- Balanced representations of cultural, ethnic, and racial groups
- Correct use of grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
Appropriateness:
- Concepts and vocabulary relevant to students' abilities
- Information relevant to the North Carolina K-12 curriculum
- Interaction compatible with the physical and intellectual maturity of intended audience
Scope:
- Information of sufficient scope to adequately cover the topic for the intended audience
- Logical progression of topics
- Variety of activities, with options for increasing complexity
Technical Aspects
Navigation:
- Rapid retrieval of information and screen transitions
- Intuitive icons, menus, and directional symbols that foster independent use
- Controllable pace, including options for stop/pause/exit
- Controllable sound
Save/Record-Keeping Features:
- Options for printing/downloading text
- Save option for games or activities in progress
- Note-taking feature, when appropriate
- Record-keeping feature to monitor student progress
Presentation:
- Information presented in a manner to stimulate imagination and curiosity
- Activities that provide opportunities for creative problem solving
- Use of appropriate and supportive feedback
- Options for help, tutorial segments
- Uncluttered screen displays
- Captions, labels, or legends for visuals
- Legible text and print size that is appropriate for the intended audience
Quality:
- Visuals relevant to the content
- Sound that is clearly understandable and consistent in quality and volume
- Sound and music that is relevant to screen displays
Documentation
Technical Information:
- Descriptions of specific hardware requirements for operating the application
- Instructions for installation and operation
- Toll free technical support telephone number
Teacher's Guide:
- Description of target audience
- Summary of the contents of the application
- Instructional and/or behavioral objectives
- Suggestions for classroom use, lesson plans, related activities
- Ancillary materials for student use, such as camera-ready worksheets and activity pages
Reasonable price in comparison to similar programs.
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