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CIEE 213 Ashley
Ashley Gurliaccio

Educational Technology Evaluation
K-5; Critical Thinking Skills, Reasoning and Problem Solving Skills, Reading and Writing (Literacy) Skills, Conceptual Understanding in Math (Numeracy Skills)
Hardware or Software Requirements
Windows
Pentium II 266 MHz or faster
Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP (including Tablet PC Edition), Vista or Windows 7

CIEE 213 Ashley Gurliaccio

Educational Technology Evaluation
Title
Kidspiration 3
Publisher or URL
Inspiration Software Inc. -
Kidspiration website
Target Age and Content Area
K-5; Critical Thinking Skills, Reasoning and Problem Solving Skills, Reading and Writing (Literacy) Skills, Conceptual Understanding in Math (Numeracy Skills)
Hardware or Software Requirements
Windows
Pentium II 266 MHz or faster
Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP (including Tablet PC Edition), Vista or Windows 7
128 MB minimum RAM 800x600 (minimum)
1024 X 768 (recommended)
16-bit color or higher
75 MB minimum install
250 MB full install CD-ROM drive (for installation only)
Macintosh
Macintosh G3 300 MHz or faster OS X, version 10.2.8 or newer
192 MB minimum RAM 800x600 (minimum)
1024 X 768 (recommended)
Thousands of colors or higher
75 MB minimum install
250 MB full install CD-ROM drive (for installation only)
Type of Teaching Tool Used
Visual Learning. Visual aids used in Kidspiration 3 include graphics, graphic organizers and math manipulatives. These visual aids help learners to think critically, connect prior knowledge to new concepts, make abstract ideas concrete, and organize and analyze information.
What learning theory does this product best reflect?
This product uses the Constructivism Theory. The visual aids help learners to connect prior knowledge to new concepts and organize that information. The learner is actively learning and is engaged in interactive and student-centered learning.
Is it appropriate for the age specified?
Yes, it is appropriate for children in grades K-5.
Can they use it easily?
Yes, it is easy to use because there is only a small amounts of text in this program. The text that is used can be listened to through the audio support. Learners mainly deal with icons which are colorful and intuitive, instead of text. When learners click on these icons, audio support states the icon’s use. This makes the program usable for children who have not yet learned to read. Although this program is easy to use, teachers and other adults should not assume the child knows how to navigate and use the program. Teachers should instruct all students, especially Kindergarteners and students with disabilities, on how to navigate and use the program.
Can they understand the material?
Yes, students can understand the material in this program easily. Since this program is a tool, which supplements a teacher’s lesson plan, students should already know the basic knowledge necessary to complete a certain activity. The program should be used as a tool to help students master what is taught in the lesson. The visual aids used to convey the material is also set up in a way that is easy to understand.
Is it engaging? Will they want to use it?
The program is very engaging and students will want to use it. Kidspiration actively engages learners.The program uses bright colors and clip art which keep the students interested and engaged .
Is it appropriate for all learners?
Yes.
Can it be used by learners with special needs?
Yes, this program can be used by learners with special needs. The website states that visual thinking and learning strategies used in this program have been shown to increase the academic performances of students with different types of learning abilities. The website also recommends this program for learners with ADHD, autism, Asperger’s, dyslexia, aphasia, and visual or auditory processing disorders. However, I believe that students with severe visual impairments may have difficulty with this program due to all the visual aspects.
Is it culturally, socially or gender-biased against any learner?
There were no social or gender-based biases in this program. A possible cultural bias could be seen in the Social Studies content area. There are two assignments, 50 states and Symbols and Leaders of the United States, which focus on the U.S. in particular. This is most likely because the program was produced in the United States. However, learners of different cultural backgrounds may have difficulty with these activities and in turn may make this aspect of the program culturally biased.
Can it be used by students whose first language is not English?
Yes, this program can be used for ESL and ELL learners. The Audio support, Word Guide, and Picture and Writing Views allow these students to use this program effectively and develop necessary skills. The Audio support allows longer recording time so students can take their time expressing their thoughts. This is helpful for ESL and ELL learners who may need more time recording ideas. Teachers of ESL and ELL students can also record the directions in the student’s native language. Lastly, the Listen tool helps these students comprehension and word recognition skills. This is because they can hear the words which they are reading. Along with Audio support, the Word Guide helps ESL and ELL learners to develop their vocabulary. Picture and Writing views helps these students to develop pictorial representations as well.
Is the context/goal based on violence or combat-type activities?
No, there is no violence or combat-type activities in Kidspiration.
Does it have enough user flexibility?
Yes.
Is the learner or teacher able to control the rate or progression through the material?
The teacher can control the rate or progression through the material through the Teacher Menu. The teacher can make a password for the Teacher Menu so that students can not access it and the related lesson plans available in the Teacher Menu. The learner can also control the rate or progression through the material by working and progressing individually at their own rate.
Can the learner or teacher customize any of the settings (ex. turn off sound, etc.)
The sound can be turned off by just lowering the volume on the computer. This will disable the audio option. The learner can also customize the background color of Kidspiration 3. This gives them a creative outlet and makes the program individualistic to each child.
How instructionally effective is it?
This program is instructionally effective and helps students develop their critical thinking skills, literacy skills, numeracy skills and problem-solving skills.
Will it teach what it is supposed to teach?
Yes, this program teaches what it is supposed to teach through different views and visual learning.
Is the information accurate and up-to-date?
Yes, the information is up-to-date and accurate. Kidspiration 3 is the newest and most up-to-date version of the program.
Is it free of error (spelling, grammar, etc.)
Yes, the program is free of errors.
What NJCCCS standard(s) do you think it could be used for?
NJCCCS 4.1 (Number Sense), 4.3 (Patterns), 4.5(Problem Solving), 4.5 (Reasoning and Connections)
Does it work well technically?
Yes, everytime I used the program it worked effectively.
Do you think you would use it?
Yes, I would definitely use this program.
If yes, give an example of how.
I would use the ‘Where I Live’ activity in the Social Studies content area of this program for a first grade classroom. Since I would be working with first grade students, this activity would be done in the Picture View so students could just place pictures in the correct sections. Since first grade students are just learning to read and write, the use of pictures and audio, instead of text, will help them complete the activity. I would connect this activity to my lesson plan by teaching about acceptance of different people from different cultures in a very broad sense.
If no, what would you change to make it usable.
Is Kidspiration 3 cost effective?
Yes.
Information about Individual Licenses
Kidspiration 3 can be purchased for a single computer. A license can also be purchased for five, ten and even twenty computers. The 5, 10 and 20 - computer licenses include Teacher Take Home Privileges. These Teacher Take Home Privileges allows the teacher to install the software at home to use for their lesson planning. A single purchase is $69.00. A 5-computer license is $310.00. A 10-computer license is $550.00. A 20-computer license is $895.00, which comes with a lesson plan book.
Information about Cumulative Volume License Program
This program allows schools and districts to purchase the software over a period of time. This allows for a tiered pricing structure which lowers the prices when purchasing subsequent licenses. This option’s minimum purchase is five.
Information about Site License Program
This license allows schools and districts to have the entire school equipped with the program. This option has easy management and installation of the program. The Site license is cost-effective since pricing is based on the schools enrollment when purchasing the software. This license option is perpetual and can be used as long as the school needs. Lastly, there are Teacher Take Home Privileges and free online teaching materials for teachers. One purchasing consideration to remember is that Site Licenses only apply to one school and can not be combined amongst different schools in a district. Each district much purchase separate Site Licenses for each school in the district.
Has Kidspiration 3 won any awards?
Yes.
Which awards has Kidspiration 3 won?
2011 - Dr. Toys recommends Kidspiration 3 as great tools for learning on summer vacation
2010 -
“Best for Best” for 2010
Honored in “Creative Child Magazine” Award
Best Children’s Vacation Product
16th Annual Best Educational Software Awards
Recognition from Consumer Parenting Organization
Best Products 2010 from iParenting Media Awards
Gold in the Mom’s Choice Award
Does Kidspiration 3 keep up with the latest technology?
Yes.
What are some technologies that could be used with the program?
Kidspiration supports high-resolution monitors with larger visual workspaces. It is compatible with Windows Vista. Kidspiration can also be used on whiteboards (Promethean ACTIV boards and SMART boards).