How Do You Choose Educational Software

As a teacher, parents often ask me which computer programs I would recommend for their children. Before I can offer a suggestion, I need to have some information such as:

- What skills or knowledge do you want to expose them to or help develop?

What types of programs has your child already enjoyed? (i.e. activity based or mission/adventure based)

What interests does your child already have, that exposure to a software program could enhance?

Reflecting on these questions I realize that these are similar to the ones I would pose if asked to recommend titles in children’s literature. Watching children engage with different texts, software, learning tasks and situations in the classroom has taught me that children truly have diverse interests, just as adults do. Our particular interests develop from ample opportunities to explore different types of texts or activities. Some parent groups have started software lending libraries so they can sample before making a purchase. It is true that for both literature and software, a well stocked and accessible library is a key feature of a rich learning environment.

I believe it is important for learners to be able to be familiar with a variety of texts and be able to consider information from a variety of sources. When considering literacy we want students to be exposed to a range of genres and styles in a variety of media. We also want students to have pragmatic knowledge about books, film, art, and computers. Ultimately we want children to form opinions about what is good, interesting and worthwhile for themselves based on their own reasoned and experienced views. In order for this to happen children need to be interested in what they are learning and the learning process itself.

Those of us who teach are aware that time is a crucial variable in learning and there often does not seem to be enough of it. The amount and quality of time spent on a task is a crucial determinant in forming attitudes and outcomes. In school settings we need to be conscious of how we make use of time and justify instructional decisions that will enhance students learning. The same applies at home where children and parents make time use decisions on a daily basis.

The principle is simple; if you want children to be good readers they need to spend time reading. If you want them to be confident inquirers you have to provide opportunities for them to ask good questions and have a positive disposition when approaching new problems. If we want them to be capable of making good choices they must have opportunities to explore their values and experience the consequences of their actions.

So where does computer time fit into your children’s lifestyle, and what kinds of experiences do they want and will benefit from? I suggest you ask them. Engage them in conversations which encourages them to articulate what makes a good game or activity. You may be surprised with how much they already know about software. For me, an important objective in computer literacy is for students to develop an informed opinion of what makes good software, just as in what makes a good book or film.

Good children’s software develops thinking and problem solving capabilities, exercises their emerging "3 R" skills, helps develop their knowledge of the world around them, all the while holding their interest. Some students want to be challenged and entertained. Others will benefit from practise of their skills in such areas as numeracy or literacy, as learning software can serve either remedial needs or developmental opportunities. All will benefit from knowing more about how software works and learning about what they can actually gain from the unique characteristics of this new medium as they have an engaging experience.

Robert Shields recently taught at Acadia University in the Department of Education, currently teaches in the Toronto area, and is a member of Learning Village's editorial group.

Educational Software: Can It Help Your Child Learn?

I've been an elementary school teacher for 17 years and I'm also a parent to two children ages 6 and 9. Learning and the development of young children are a central part of my life.

Although computers and educational software have rapidly become a part of the schooling experience and the home environment, what can educational software really provide and where can it be of real help to my child?

Let's start with what typically goes on in the daily school experience. Most teachers, such as myself are facing class sizes of 25-30 (one of my grade 7 classes has 35 students). With the increasing emphasis on teaching content to students, I only have time to teach a concept once, before I need to go on to the next concept. The amount of time and individual attention I can give is limited and I constantly face the challenge that the students who are fast learners are being held back and the ones who are having difficulty are not going to get the attention they need. In addition, all students need practice to fully learn a skill and be comfortable with it. Can good educational software help a teacher overcome these challenges and make an impact on a child's learning? I believe it can.

Good educational software reinforces and expands what students are learning in school. For students that are having some difficulty, it's important to recognize that educational software and the computer never get tired or frustrated by students who take the time to repeatedly go over concepts and lessons. For those students who grasp concepts quickly, educational software gives them the opportunity to advance at their own pace and really master the concept. They are able to take the educational software and computer and fly at their own pace without anyone telling them to slow down. A great quality of good educational software for all students is that it is interactive. It is very engaging for many users and provides immediate feedback on how they are doing .

Can the computer and educational software help every student become an "A" student? No. Students who have poor work habits are not going to magically transform overnight into conscientious students by sitting in front of a computer and doing a software program. The human interaction, both from the teacher and the parent, are crucial to guidance, building self confidence, and building the desire to learn.

So when your children take you by the hand and ask you to come and see what they're doing with a software program, sit down and listen to them. Ask them to show you how the software works. You can learn a lot from how your children approach a software program by quietly observing them. And that's what good parenting and good learning is all about--being there for your children as they discover the world around them.

Marjan Glavac is a teacher, lecturer, author of "The Busy Educator's Guide To The World Wide Web" and is a member of the Learning Village editorial team

Seeking An Educational Commons

Abstract

Seeking an educational commons: The promise of open source development models by Gary Hepburn

Schools are hindered by cost and flexibility problems as they try to obtain resources such as software and textbooks. Open source development processes are producing products that can address many of these problems and, as importantly, provide a better alignment with core educational values. Indeed, open source products potentially encourage the development of an educational commons.

http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue9_8/hepburn/index.html 

More Perks of Educational Sotware

Educational Software boasts multiple advantages over "bricks-and-mortar" products such as board games and card games. Computer games are more robust and adaptable than their offline counterparts and are virtually inexhaustible. With a few lines of code, a programmer can accommodate for literally millions of variations and permutations. Compare this with the limitations of pencil-and-paper-based instructional programs that are forced to recycle their content.

Second, educational software is customizable. Has your child already mastered counting and grouping? Has he or she aced the third-grade-reading-level vocabulary list? If so, eliminate these concepts or words from successive levels of play and force your child to take on new challenges. It's okay to acknowledge a job well done, but lingering over past triumphs can also breed a false sense of security with the material.

More Perks of Educational Software

One of the most compelling reasons to purchase educational software for younger students is the outstanding imagination and originality that go into it. Softwarecompanies work with award-winning writers and designers to create characters that are realistic and memorable, whether they're grounded in reality or pure fantasy. Digital animation has come so far that mouth movements are almost perfectly synched with speech, making it appear as though characters are directly addressing the youngsters themselves.

Finally, educational software is diagnostic, meaning it can often determine where your child already is in his or her skill-apprehension. As a result, programs can tailor questions that gradually increase in difficulty as your child improves. That way, there's never the danger of your child outpacing the game and rendering it obsolete.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Educational Software?

When children use educational software, they spend a lot of time in front of their computer. There are a number of pros and cons for learning educational concepts using computer software.

Advantages

For example, when children are learning a new concept on their computer, they are in total control of the experience. They can move at their own pace. They can review and practice as much as they want. They can select the level or degree of difficulty that seems best for their learning needs.

Today’s software creates a whole new educational experience. Children not only see what they are learning, but they also use multiple senses to master the concept.

No one knows why computer fascinate young children, but they do. This frequently results in children spending more time and practice on their learning task. This increased focus and attention helps them gain a deeper mastery of their learning.

Disadvantages

Because good software tends to enhance the educational experience of most children, they frequently spend too much time in front of their computers. This can cause some physical health risks. Eyestrain is a common problem. Because children may lean forward while using their computer, potential posture and skeletal problems can occur.

To alleviate the potential health problems, you should make sure that the set up of the computer is designed for the child, not the adult. The time children spend on educational activities in front of the computer should be monitored.

Another problem with educational software is the appropriateness of the software. If a child works on a concept that is either too hard or too easy, frustration or boredom may quickly occur. The educational activities of a child on the computer should be monitored to insure maximum the benefits and minimize negative influences and over-stimulation.

Finally, as a child becomes adept with their educational activities on the computer, they become quite confident with their computer skills. If the child has access to the Internet, their parents should closely monitor their time and activities. Otherwise, there are some real dangers from just “surfing the net”.

In summary, the benefits of good computer software for educational activities far outweigh the disadvantages as long as a parent or adult are involved. Good monitoring software is strongly recommended for children who use the Internet for educational or other activities.

Educational Software

Educational software, or computer applications developed for the purpose of teaching and learning, arrived with virtually the first desktop computers. Education professionals recognized this potential early, and many schools acquired computers long before they were found in most American homes. Educational applications then greatly increased.

Educational software encompasses a variety of forms, costs, and purposes. Programs exist to teach individual preschoolers letter names, sounds, and grammar in English as well as other languages. Other programs introduce mathematical concepts for all grades, or are aimed at helping to develop good writing skills. Some programs, such as flight simulators, teach professionals the details of their jobs. Still other programs, called Learning ManagementSystems (LMSs), are designed for use by certain grades in entire school districts for teaching or evaluation purposes; these often include access to a software company's web site for comprehensive services.

At the college and university level, LMSs are powerful application management systems that offer courses via the Internet for non-traditional students. These tools allow institutions to design entire online courses. The projects require a team, consisting of the subject-matter expert (usually a faculty member), a graphics artist, a curriculum designer, and a programmer, to put the complete package together.

Selecting Educational Software

Choosing an educational application to integrate into a curriculumcan be difficult. Curriculum materials are generally selected for use over the course of several years. One drawback to using educational software programs in this way is that the applications often change from year to year, thus requiring frequent upgrade purchases. Sometimes the latest edition of a program has been modified to run on more powerful computers than a school can afford to use. Sometimes favorite applications are absorbed into other programs or disappear entirely. Another drawback is that there are no universally accepted standards or recognized independent organizations (such as the Food and Drug Administration for medications) for evaluating these programs.

Some LMSs are designed to accommodate hundreds of students. These programs require Internet access, which offers several advantages. Content, such as political maps, can be updated easily when needed. The programs allow individuals to work at their own pace and can be adapted to concentrate on an individual's particular weak area. The progress of the students can be evaluated at any time. Most of these programs offer technical support for the faculty if needed, and some offer teacher tutorials.

The cost of these services varies depending on the equipment—for example, are computers supplied by the company or must they be supplied by the school?—the time required per week per student, and how many weeks in total are needed by each student to complete the program. One program designed to help elementary students read costs $30,000 per year, not counting the price of the computers.

Effective Evaluation and Implementation

Educational software is evaluated by many of the same standards used for evaluating other educational materials. Is the program appropriate for the age and development of the user? Are the graphics attractive and do they lead to better learning? Is the depth of the program appropriate? Is the method for teaching effective? Is the software entertaining enough to keep the user interested? Does the program stimulate further learning of the subject?

Once software is selected, it must be effectively implemented. The environment around the computer is important. Is the computer located in a computer lab or is it in the classroom? How often during the week, and for how long, does the student have access to the computer? Is the area inviting? Is it designed to accommodate a single student at a time, or can multiple students access the computer together and learn from each other? Software should be compatible with the environment in which it will be used. If daily use is recommended to meet the learning objectives of a softwareprogram, but students will have only weekly access to the program, another program should be selected, or computer access should be increased. Likewise, software designed to be used by two or more students working cooperatively is best used in a setting that comfortably accommodates more than one student at each computer.

Market Issues

Educational software companies, especially ones that produce LMSs, face unique challenges. First, the consumer, generally educators at a school district or a large institution, must be sold on the program. Second, in order for schools to implement the Internet systems mentioned previously, reliable networks must be installed; this takes time and money, especially in older buildings. Third, schools usually have budgets that are conceived well ahead of time and followed strictly. The thousands of dollars that these programs cost must be approved by school boards; financing may need to be found. The entire process of implementing an LMS can take years!Software companies might not have the financial means to survive between the time a school or district agrees to buy a system and the point when the system is actually purchased.

Companies that develop educational software, such as the Learning Company that produces the widely recognized Carmen San Diego and Reader Rabbit series, are easily affected by downturns in thecomputer software and Internet industries. Some have been sold and resold since the late 1990s, leaving in question the future of both the companies and the content, quality, and variety of their products. The overall number of CD-ROM (compact disc-read only memory) educational software programs available has fallen due to major changes in the software market since 2000.

Software Effectiveness Factors

Surprisingly, many experts agree that the quality of the software is not the most important consideration in how successful it is; the expertise and comfort level of the person helping the student is the single most critical factor. However, by 2000, only half the states in the United States required formal training in computer science for teaching certification, and only twenty percent of teachers felt comfortable including computers in the curriculum. Many software programs offer technical support and tutorials to help teachers become more comfortable with the system. If the software is school-based, another important success factor is the ability of children to access the software from home and the parents' comfort level in assisting the student. Some school districts have started programs that provide laptop computers to students so they can be used outside of school.

There is also controversy about the effectiveness of educational software in general. Many school districts have seen increased test scores after implementing educational software systems. Others claim that the "cool factor" is largely responsible for these results, and that students do at least as well if the same energy is spent in well-planned conventional instruction. Few argue that educational software programs may be a student's first introduction to computers. For those already familiar with computers, educational software prods them to use computers for more than just surfing the Internet. This might prove to be the biggest benefit of all.

Children's Computer Education in India

Why is computer education for young children a growing concern?

Over the past few years, computers have become a vastly popular household item. The luxury of emailing messages as opposed to charging up the phone bill is more appealing. Checking news, weather, and sports via the Internet is a convenience that many are taking advantage of.Computers offer substantial benefits to young children and their development, and to families as a whole. At the right age, a computer is a wonderful thing that every child deserves to have. Accordingly, if a family can afford a computer without sacrificing other important, traditional childhood experiences, then this environment should contain a computer set-up that can be accessed as easily as books and other playthings and integrated in the family's day-to-day activities in a natural way.

The actual benefit of a computer to a child depends primarily on:

• The quality of parental involvement
• The quality of educational software that the child is using
• Following developmentally appropriate practices in the way the child uses the computer
• Achieving a balanced role for the computer in the child's life as one important element in the mix of quality learning and play opportunities

Our children's lives are already getting influenced by technology – and this is just the beginning. Computers and Internet are here to stay and software titles targeting young children continue to increase. Computer science has become a compulsory subject in Indian schools. Today, We find computers in use everywhere, whether we go to reserve a train ticket or to a Bank. This is because it is faster and helps us complete our work without mistakes/errors. So parents too have realized the need to help their children develop strong computer skills.

Computers benefit the development of fundamental skills...

Good educational software enables children to develop and practice a broad range skills. It can help them learn, for example, about letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and rhythm. Good software can also help children develop their understanding of cause and effect, higher order problem solving, procedural thinking, and creative expression. Today, the wide range of multimedia available for kids in India is really amazing.

Emotional skills: By using a computer children develop self-confidence and self-esteem as they master computer skills and use the computer to make things happen. This also gives them a reason to smile!

Social skills: In the classroom setting or in the home when their friends or parents are available, children often prefer working with one or two partners over working alone, which leads to the development of social skills.

Computers benefit children with special needs...

Computers have proven extremely beneficial to kids with certain speech, audio, and motor limitations. Kids with special needs can use alternative input and output devices (assistive technologies) to interact with computers and do things that they normally could not accomplish independently. They benefit especially from having access to an on-demand, patient tutor that allows them to work at their own pace. What they achieve through using a computer enhances their self-esteem and provides them with a greater sense of control and engagement with the world. The internet provides them with the best of knowledge for their treatments and they can be in touch with doctors or friends through the internet, in India or Abroad. Also, the internet can later help them earn their means of livelihood.

What are the disadvantages of computers for young children?

Computers are very engaging and can exercise a strong "holding power" on children as well as adults. They really seem to mesmerize children. Since we do not yet understand the impact of this power, we need to monitor the amount of time a child spends before a computer.

If the software is not age-appropriate, children are likely to become frustrated and associate a computer with failure.

Kids with access to software that is not age appropriate may be exposed to such negative influences as violence, strong language, and over-stimulation from fast-action graphics.

Frequent and prolonged computer sessions may pose physical health risks for children. The most frequently cited are visual strain, harmful effects of radiation, and posture and skeletal problems. In the case of normal usage and normal operating conditions, however, research has shown that computer monitors are safe and do not compromise the health of our eyes and that computer monitors emit little or no harmful radiation. What does seem to pose a hazard is the strain placed on a child's posture and skeletal structure if she consistently uses a computer set-up designed for an adult.

For Surfing the Internet, parental involvement & control is a must.

How do the benefits and drawbacks compare?

Overall, the benefits seem to outweigh the drawbacks. And, the fact is, actively involved parents can control most of the drawbacks. This puts even greater responsibility on parents to be vigilant and conservative in their judgment about their children's computer usage. A regular and constant watch is very necessary, especially regarding the internet. Although cyber laws in India are trying to regulate the content within Indian sites, the Internet hold no barriers since it is a World Wide Web. Parents could install  parental control tools to prevent children from going to undesirable sites.

Just what is children's computer education.

Years ago, computer literacy was defined in terms of specific knowledge of computer technology and terminology. Today, it is regarded more as a continuum of awareness, skills, experience, and attitudes based on the age and capabilities of the individual child. 

1.An awareness of what the computer can do – that it is a tool for learning and finding out about things, and for expressing and creating things.

2.An awareness of ideas and behavior that are a part of the computer culture, such as knowledge of safe behavior on the Internet.

3.Basic operational skills learned by immersion in a variety of software programs.

4.A body of successful experiences that over time develop within a child an intuitive feel for dealing with new things that he encounters in a computer environment. Typical examples are how to navigate a new program and how to "trouble-shoot" when something isn't working.

5.An attitude of discovery, mastery, purposefulness, and pleasure in using computers.

More Dangers in MySpace.com

NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2006

(CBS) It all started on the social networking Web site MySpace.com. A 14-year-old girl began receiving graphic messages from a much older man, asking whether she was "OK with me being 38?"  It wasn't the first time the alleged predator, Robert Wise, trolled the Internet looking for sex, according to Sgt. Dan Krieger of the League City, Texas, police department. But this time, reports CBS News Correspondent Sandra Hughes, the authorities stepped in.  "We assumed her online identity and started chatting with this guy," Krieger explains. "During that point, he made it very clear he wanted to meet her for sex. We were able to find another 14-year-old female that he's actually had sex with."  

Wise is now in custody, charged with multiple counts of sexual assault. But the incident is just one of many cases nationwide — and some of them have ended tragically. 

In New Jersey, Majalie Cajuste is grieving the murder of her daughter Judy. The 14-year-old reportedly told friends she met a man in his 20s through MySpace.com. 

Across the country, in Northern California, friends are mourning 15-year-old Kayla Reed. She was active on MySpace until the day she disappeared. 

Police are investigating possible MySpace connections in both murder cases. 

The Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported more than 1,200 incidents last year of adults using the Internet to entice children. With numbers like that, you'd think parents would be hovering over their kids, wanting to know what they're doing online. But authorities say many parents are clueless about their kids' MySpace profiles. 

CBS News Technology Analyst Larry Magid had a look at one personal profile on the site, belonging to a 15-year-old girl. Magid says the girl writes in her description, "Drink a 40, smoke a bowl, sex is good, life is great, we are the class of 2008." "Now if you were a predator and you read something like that," asks Hughes, "what would it tell you about this young lady?" "I'd target her, I think," Magid replies.

Read more of Magid's reporting on MySpace.com, including protection tips for parents.  

In talking to some teens who regularly use MySpace, it's easy to see that a lot of kids aren't very careful about the information they put on their pages. "So many people don't even use common sense," says Katie Pirtle, a high school student. "Some people even put their phone number on there."

And while they information kids put on MySpace may be intended for their friends, do they think, "Hey there's 35-year-old or 45-year-old guys out there looking at my site?" 

"Definitely not," says April Ehrlich, another high school student. "When they think MySpace, they think other teenagers. They don't think there are adults pretending to be teenagers on there." 

A lot of MySpace users post "the survey," which asks for responses about issues like drinking, drug use and skinny dipping. Users can also put up pictures. 

MySpace declined CBS News' request for an interview. The site warns users not to post any "personally identifiable" material — but the teens we spoke to say that advice is routinely ignored. 

"Just like a car accident, it can happen to you," says high school student Julia Rinaldi. "Predators can come to you — and that's what they don't think when they post those things." 

Those predators include men like 26-year-old Jeffrey Neil Peters, who was arrested last month for sexually assaulting Susie Granger's daughter. Granger says parents should keep their kids off the site. 

"Please don't allow your children to go onto MySpace," she says. "It's a very unsafe environment for them to be in." 

 But for the thousands of teens who are hooked on the site, it's a warning that's lost in cyberspace. 

 

Dangers in MySpace.com

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)- Mar. 3, 2006 - Two men used the Web site MySpace.com to set up sexual encounters with underage Connecticut girls, authorities said Thursday in what they described as the first federal sex cases involving the popular networking site.

The two unrelated cases come after weeks in which the site's potential dangers have been the topic of discussion for law enforcement, parents and school officials nationwide.

"The Internet has allowed people to invade our own homes, to have conversations with our children in the privacy of our own homes without us ever knowing about it," U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor said.

In one case, Sonny Szeto, 22, traveled from Jersey City, N.J., to Connecticut in October and molested an 11-year-old girl in her playroom while her parents slept upstairs, according to an FBI affidavit.

In the other case, Stephen Letavec, 39, molested a 14-year-old Connecticut girl in his car while visiting from Elrama, Pa., in October, according to another FBI report. The FBI said Letavec made several visits to see the girl between last summer and January.

"I showed you what love is and how it feels," Letavec wrote in an e-mail found in the girl's school locker, according to the FBI report. "I want to show you how making love feels too, not just sex because there is a difference."

The girl signed onto MySpace as an 18-year-old, but told Letavec she was 14 before he visited, the FBI said.

Both men face federal interstate sex charges. Szeto, who has since moved to Queens, N.Y., was ordered placed on house arrest with his parents in Nashua, N.H. As of Thursday morning, prosecutors said he was still being held until his family could post $600,000 bond and cancel his Internet connection.

A message was left with the public defender's office, which represented Szeto. Letavec, a volunteer firefighter, is being held without bond pending his arraignment in Connecticut. He was represented in Pennsylvania by a public defender, W. Penn Hackney, who would not comment and it was not immediately clear who his attorney would be in Connecticut. 

MySpace, a division of News Corp., allows its 54 million users to find online friends by searching for their school or their interests. The site prohibits minors 13 and under from joining, discourages users from posting personal information and provides special protections for those 14 and 15.  "While we cannot comment on specific investigations, MySpace works with law enforcement at every level and fully supports the arrest and prosecution of those individuals found guilty of criminal offenses," MySpace said in a statement released Thursday. 

While Internet safety advocates say the site has a good reputation for working to prevent illegal activity, they say children often lie about their age to get around those restrictions. Many profiles include suggestive photographs and lots of personal information. 

Messages were left Thursday seeking comment from the company. O'Connor said MySpace isn't at fault but rather is being exploited by pedophiles. But he raised concerns by some MySpace functions, including one that allows users to search for people who are questioning their sexual orientation. And he said he would have "very serious reservations" about letting his own young children use such sites. 

"MySpace should be completely innocent. Children should be allowed to go on MySpace and meet their own peers and have conversations with them," said FBI Agent Thomas Veivia. "But the people with nefarious intentions exploit that technology and target our children."  Police in Middletown, Conn., are investigating recent reports that as many as seven local girls were sexually assaulted by men in their 20s who contacted them through MySpace pretending to be teenagers.

Veivia said MySpace is getting a lot of attention but predicts that, like Internet Relay Chats and American Online chat rooms, it will soon give way to new technology that children and young adults will start using - with sexual predators and law enforcement following.