1. Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology Chapter 10 – Software Selection and Evaluation
Dr. Anthony G. Picciano

2. Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved
PowerPoint Outline
Software Evaluation Criteria
Administrative Software Evaluation Factors
Instructional Software Evaluation Factors
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Software Evaluation Criteria
Like hardware choices, consider how long you may be using the same software.
Software
decision
Efficiency
Ease of use
Documentation
Hardware requirements
Vendor
Cost
Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

4. Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved
Software Evaluation Criteria
1. Efficiency—how well are the programs written?
2. Ease of use—how easy is the software to use?
3. Documentation—what is the quality and quantity of the documentation?
4. Hardware requirements—what hardware is needed to run the software?
5. Vendor—what is the reputation of the developer in
terms of support, maintenance, and industry position?
6. Cost—how much does it cost?
Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

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Administrative Software Evaluation Factors
Decide how well the software meets the specific needs of the application through the various features provided.
These features can be considered regardless of whether the specific software product is stand-alone or part of an integrated package such as Microsoft Office.
Figures 10–2, 10–3, and 10–4 (pages 228-9) list important evaluation features for the three most popular applications:
word processing,
electronic spreadsheets,
and databases.
Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

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Administrative Software Evaluation Factors
Features of Word Processing Software
Number and types of fonts
Number of type styles (boldface, underline, shadow)
Footnoting, wordwrap, menu-driven
Lengthwise printing
Print preview
Graphics integration
ASCII (and other) file conversion
Multiple document processing
Multiple column controls
Spell-check features
Thesaurus
Document security
Grammar checker
Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

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Administrative Software Evaluation Factors
Features of Electronic Spreadsheet Software
Number of rows and columns
Editing features
Copy features
Lengthwise printing
Multiple spreadsheet processing
Menu-driven
Spreadsheet merging
Spreadsheet security
Graphics integration
Database integration
Types and dimensions of charts
Types of statistical functions supported
Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

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Administrative Software Evaluation Factors
Features of Database Software
Database structure (such as relational or
flat file)
File security
Report-generator program features
Statistical reporting features
Query language capabilities
Database restructuring
Sort/merge
Speed
Options(ascending, descending, levels)
Data-sharing features
Conversion of other database files
File merge capabilities (electronic spreadsheet,
word processing, address labels)
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Instructional Software Evaluation Factors
Different instructional applications will have different needs and will require specific software features to meet these needs.
The U.S. Congress’ Office of Technology Assessment (1988), in a national survey, identified more than 200 factors that could be used in evaluating instructional software.
Figure 10-5 in the textbook (pages 231-3) provides a sample instructional software evaluation form for a school district.
Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

10. Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved
Instructional Software Evaluation Factors
Evaluation Form (Page 1 of 2)
Title:___________________________________________________________
Company/Vendor:________________________________________________
Subject matter:________________________________________________
Grade level:___________________________________________________
Cost:__________________________________________________________
(Attach additional supporting information if necessary)
Type: Tutor: Simulation_____ Tutorial_____ Drill/practice_____ Game_____
Tool: Word processing_____ Spreadsheet____ Database____ Other____
Tutee: Specify language/title_____________________________________
Other/Hybrid:________________________________________________________
Computer system:___________________________________________________________
Special hardware requirements:_____________________________________________
Internet-based/enhanced:___________________________________________________
Objectives:
   
Program description:
Efficiency:
Documentation:
Ease of Use:
Evaluation
Grade (0 = lowest; 9 = highest)
General characteristics Instructional quality
Efficiency: ____ Content: ____
Documentation: ____ Pedagogical features: ____
Ease of use: ____ Motivational: ____
Company/vendor: ____ Creativity: ____
Feedback: ____
Evaluation and record keeping: ____
Audio/visuals/graphics: ____
Flexibility: ____
Overall rating: ____
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11. Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved
Instructional Software Evaluation Factors
Evaluation Form (Page 2 of 2)
Instructional quality (Comments)
Content:
Pedagogical features:
Motivational:
Creativity:
Feedback:
Evaluation and record keeping:
Audio/visuals/graphics:
Flexibility:
Reviewer's name:______________________________________ Date:_________________
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12. Questions and Comments
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