Evaluation of Software #2 – IXL Math Practice for Kindergarten (identifying shapes, counting money, and more).

 

IXL Kindergarten Skills is a software which assist students by building their mathematical solving skills. The software is colourfully attractive and easily navigated through an ‘F’ designed page. Students can explore and practice all the skills relevant to their Zone of Proximal Development. The links allow students, teachers and parents to easily navigate through its various subsections.

The software provides Reports on student’s progress and Awards for their success by tracking the student’s score on each test taken. It also provides information on the State’s Standards of Education, which signifies it’s credibility and allows for Membership to the site. Therefore much information and feedback is provided to the student for gauging their performance and building their confidence.

The software can be classified as one which is based on Drill and Practice and Problem solving. It takes the constructivist approach, of learning by doing, according to Piaget and Vygotsky. The awards, which successful students receive act as a positive reinforcement for increasing the likelihood of students’ continuous success, according to B.F. Skinner’s Operant Conditioning. It is also an individual effort which is geared towards helping students master maths.

The software had time limits, which at times frustrated the student and took away from it’s motivational factor. However, The software  had audio (verbal) and visual (written) instructions, which effectively allowed  ‘dual coding’ of the instructions. The software also represented it’s instructions very well through symbols and pictures which helped students link  the concrete to abstract and gave thorough explanations for  given answers when questions were incorrectly answered.

The software is one a Teacher would use as an educational tool, if the objective is to direct students towards automaticity.

http://www.ixl.com/math/grade/pre-k/

Evaluation of Software #1 - Your Baby Can Read Software

Your baby can read website is a colorful, easily navigated site which immediately draws the student’s attention. With the use of visual and audio effects, one is given a short course on the concept, uses and functions and effects of the software which was invented by Dr. Titzer. There are also video polls of parents communicating and demonstrating the effects of the software on their babies.

This software is an interactive one, which is geared towards giving a child an early start in Language Development and Reading Skills. It has been promoted by the concept which states that: ‘Children benefit greatly from getting a much earlier start since a child basically has only one natural window for learning language; from about birth to age four, according to Dr. Titzer.

The software uses Books, DVD s, Dual sided Cards and Game Cards and songs which engages learners through interactive sessions carried out by Parents or Teachers. The application works by stimulating the baby’s brain through ‘dual coding’ techniques; The baby sees the written word then hears the spoken word, the baby can then get to say the word or show actions.

The most interesting thing about this software is that it is easy to use and both parents and teachers can be a part of this fun learning experience which includes ‘sing-a-long’ songs. Also it is not just specific for babies but accommodates learning throughout different levels as the child grows older. Therefore The student continues to learn after mastering each stage.

There are some concerns that the software thrives on ‘recall of memory’, however the colours used in the software are attractive, the instructions are clear and repetitive. It focuses on proper pronunciation of words and uses pictures to help students link the concrete to the abstract.

The software looks at critical periods of learning and allow students to develop language and Reading skills through guided discovery, according to “Brain Based Learning”.

http://www.yourbabycanread.com