|
Resources Reviewed by Other
Organizations
| Besides consulting
EvaluTech,
where can I find quality software? What are the best software
packages at my grade level? |
There's lots of educational software on the market. How do you choose the
best software for your needs? There are many Web sites that can help you find
good computer software, but when you read a review, it is very important to
determine who published the review and what criteria were used for evaluation.
(Consult Evaluative
Review Criteria.) Although you can find many reviews on the Internet and in
professional journals, it's best if you can borrow the software and try it out
before purchasing. Some publishers provide demonstration disks and preview
copies.
These review sources listed below are offered as information only and do not
represent an endorsement of the products or services.
|
Booklist |
The Media section of the American Library
Association's Booklist includes reviews of materials for school
library media centers and school district collections; for public
library media collections; for use within libraries by
children's, adult and young adult librarians in program contexts;
for public library circulating media collections; and for civic,
community, religious, and special-interest groups and individuals
who use the resources of libraries. These reviews serve as a highly
selective buying and programming guide for these collections and
libraries. Many educational and special-interest videos include
public performance rights; others are for home use only.
http://www.ala.org/ala/booklist/booklist.htm
|
| California Learning
Resources Network |
CLRN was developed from the California Instructional
Technology Clearinghouse, which for more than 20 years has helped
California educators identify the highest-quality electronic
learning resources. The Network is a statewide collaboration that
ensures consistent evaluations and provides publishers and producers
with one contact point for evaluation of electronic learning
resources in California. Its new tasks include developing a
statewide process for reviewing electronic materials.
http://www.clrn.org/home/
|
|
Childrens Software Review |
Childrens Software Review started in 1993 as a 12-page
newsletter for parents. This technology magazine can be purchased at
retail stores such as Borders, Barnes & Noble, Media Play and Zany
Brainy. Each issue contains 100 to 200 authoritative reviews and
ratings, helpful articles, tips and spotlights on technology use in
school subjects. Editors use their own criteria in reviewing the
materials and also assign ratings based on comments from families
and others who have used the software in homes or schools. Review
criteria are listed on the CSR Web site.
http://www.childrenssoftware.com/ |
| Codie
Awards |
In 1986 the
Excellence in Software Awards program was established by the
Software Publishers Association (SPA), now the Software &
Information Industry Association (SIIA), so that the pioneers of
the then-nascent software industry could evaluate and honor each
other's work. In 1993, the Excellence in Software Awards became
the Codie Awards. Find the winners of the past 19 years of Codie
Awards here: http://www.siia.net/codies/2005/history.asp
|
| Educational Media
Reviews Online |
Educational Media Reviews Online is a database of
video, DVD and CD-ROM reviews on materials from major educational
and documentary distributors. The reviews are written primarily by
librarians and teaching faculty in institutions across the United
States and Canada. The reviews are given one of three ratings:
Recommended, Highly Recommended, or Not Recommended. Titles rated
Highly Recommended are noted with an apple icon. Provided by Health
Science Library, Buffalo, New York..
http://libweb.lib.buffalo.edu/emro/search.html
|
| Educational Software
Preview Guide (ESPG) |
The Educational Software Preview Guide is designed
to assist educators in locating software for preview; it is not
intended to endorse these products for purchase without examination.
It is useful for locating software for a particular curriculum area,
grade level and hardware. Search by multiple criteria to locate any
appropriate software. Links are provided to publisher Web sites to
acquire the necessary information to order a catalog or to request
the software for preview, when possible. Evaluation instruments are
also included. This resource is offered by the FermiLab Education
Office.
http://www-ed.fnal.gov/espg/ |
| Florida Center for
Reading Research |
Florida has established a review process for
analyzing reading instructional materials. The
Florida Center for Reading Research, based at Florida State
University, provides technical assistance and support to all
districts and schools receiving a Reading First Award; conducts
applied research; disseminates information about research-based
practices related to literacy instruction and assessment for
children in preschool through 12th grade; and conducts basic
research on reading, reading growth, reading assessment, and reading
instruction that will contribute to the scientific knowledge of
reading.
http://www.fcrr.org/
|
| Guide to First Class
Learning Software |
Guide to
First Class Learning Software
is provided by Learning Village, which is an independent review and
advisory center for parents and teachers who are looking for
credible information on the best in educational software. The
evaluators, notable educators by Canadian standards, give you a
short list of titles by learning area, intending to focus on the
“best learning software for children and students.”
http://www.learningvillage.com/html/guide.html
|
| MERLOT |
MERLOT was created by California State University,
the University of Georgia, the University of Oklahoma and the
University of North Carolina to provide technology-based modules for
faculty to use in their classes. Materials in the MERLOT database
have been reviewed and recommended by teams of subject specialists
from the member universities. Although these modules were created
for college classes, many also would be useful to high school
teachers.
http://www.merlot.org/Home.po
|
| Technology and
Learning Product Reviews |
Search by keyword, product name, company, subjects,
grade range and all platforms in
Technology and Learning Product Reviews,
which is provided by Technology and Learning Magazine.
http://techlearning.com/resources/product_guide.jhtml |
| teem |
While teem is a UK
educator service, providing reviews by independent evaluators of over
1700 evaluations by keyword, subject and topic, the reviews can be
helpful to educators outside the UK. Many of the reviewed products
are available in the U. S. market, often by the companion U. S.
publisher. Emphasis is on many of the product reviews relate to the
growing international movement,
ICT Literacy
(21st Century Skills). <http://www.teem.org.uk/>
|
| Wisconsin Online
Resource Center |
This project is a Web-based teaching,
learning, and assessment resource center for instructors to use when
designing or revising online courses. The goals of the project are
to accelerate the development of quality online courses while, at
the same time, minimizing the cost of course development by
identifying and sharing best practices.
http://www.wisc-online.com/index.htm |
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