Advice on Selecting Software

• Criteria for Software Selection
  Considers pedagogical, curricular, and other features.
• Focus on Elementary: Choosing Software
  Short essay on choosing software for the elementary classroom.
• RISD Instructional Technology Ancillary Material / Software Evaluation
  Form from the Richardson ISD to evaluate CDs, videos, and other software.
• The Search for Bias-Free Educational Software
  Article on the importance of examining the bias inherent in simulation software.
• Selecting Developmentally Appropriate Software
  Factors to consider when selecting children's software. The Haugland Developmental Software Scale discussed here can be found at http://www.childrenandcomputers.com/Evaluations/software/softwarescale.htm.
• Seven Steps to Responsible Software Selection
  Seven steps include analyze needs, specify requirements, identify promising software, read relevant reviews, preview software, make recommendations, and get post-use feedback.
• 10 Tips to Buying Children's Software
  What to know before you shop, at the store, and at home.

Software Reviews

• Evalutech
  Database of more than 5000 reviews of instructional materials, including software,recommended for classroom use in kindergarten through grade 12.
• California Learning Resource Network
  Over 3,700 reviews; Detailed evaluation includes information on subject, suggested grade levels, platform, price, and year evaluated.
• Children's Software Revue
  Independent bi-monthly newsletter; Written by educators; Designed to help parents and teachers find quality children's software.
• SuperKids: Educational Software Review
  Reviews by teams of students, teachers, and parents.
• Kids Domain Review
  Reviews written by parents and educators.

These resources are designed to be used as resources for teaching the Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TA TEKS). The TA CED wants to share these resources but is not responsible for any changes to external sites.