Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/educators-share-ideas-about-software-for-children/5013676/
How do teachers evaluate software programs for the children in their classrooms? What makes a program educational? What do children have to say? To collect ideas from real-life classrooms, we turned to our Panel of 300 and asked teachers the questions that follow. We also asked the teachers to interview children and find out how they want to use computers. Here are some of the ideas they shared with us:How do you determine if a software program has educational value?
Barb Gallick, Illinois State University, Normal, IL: I read reviews in magazines geared to educators and also in parent magazines. I try to look for programs that offer more than just basic skill reviews and move into actually using the skills in a task. We look for programs that promote problem solving skills and deeper thinking skills rather than rote learning.
Anita Winkis, Beginnings Preschool, Lake Worth, FL: For the pre-k child, I look to see if it helps with alphabet recognition, phonemic awareness, or simple math skills such as number recognition, simple geometry, rational counting. I like programs that allow the child to interact with the story.
Vanessa Chase/Cassie Kearn, Kid's Korner Child Development Center, Pocatello, ID: We look for problem solving ...