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Name: June 16, 2005 (1) General Software Review. In this activity you will be reviewing software that you would find useful in your roll as a teacher. Note: this is a review of software, not websites. Websites can be used only if they have a high level of interactivity and animation such as those at ExploreLearning.com. Although we have software on our local servers, much of it is antiquated, and students are best served by downloading freeware and shareware. Review five or more pieces of educational software. You are free to choose any piece of software that is of value either for instructional, administrative, or professional purposes. You must have hands-on experience with the software... watching someone's software review is not sufficient. Write a paragraph describing each program and your professional opinion of its usefulness in education. At least one of your titles should be freeware or shareware that you have downloaded from the Internet. Include a screen capture from the software. Choose the best one from among these 5 for the formal software review/presentation. Title Review Screen Capture 1 1 According to the description of the software, it is a collection of animated, 3-D songs and math lessons, which will help the student to build on his emergent math skills. Also, the teacher can implement parts of the lesson into the math lesson. This software also contains classroom materials, which the teacher access through the software. It is not free and costs $14.95. The software allows the children to use their imagination, which will also enhance their imagination skills/cognitive skills. The speaker creates a math world for the students where the software becomes an interactive video with songs and other games. For students with special needs, the game and lesson will also be a great example for them to visualize the way to say a number, to see familiarize themselves with the numbers, and to stimulate hearing through the sounds. This game would be recommended for ages 4 and up. In this freeware, the student (as a frog) will be able to collect all the gifts that have been left behind during Christmas. In this game, the student will be able to practice fine motor skills through the use of the mouse or keyboard buttons. The student will be able to practice writing skills through the use of muscles in his hand by clicking and pushing down the keys. The student will also be able to work on his eye muscles skills for the students who have Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, and others. The students can also enhance their cognitive skills by locating where the gifts are, which can improve their cognitive planning skills. This game would be recommended for ages five and up. This game is a freeware download for MAC computers. 1 2 Freeware Chr istmas frog 2 Software: The Number Crew: Songs Name: June 16, 2005 1 Discovery Education. 2007. The Number Crew: Songs. http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/. accessed May 14, 2008. 2 CNET Networks Inc. 2008. Christmas Frog. http://www.download.com/ChristmasSuper-Frog/3000-2278_4-10140294.html?tag=lst-1&cdlPid=10840612. accessed May 14, 2008. 2 Name: June 16, 2005 Freeware 3 3 4 5 Freeware software Shareware Software 4 In the Spinnn 1.1.8 game, the student tries to spin, move, and rotate different falling block pieces to align them into a horizontal line. As an educator, a student with special needs can increase his fine motor skills, ocular skills, and cognitive skills (math, scheming). Through pushing keys and clicking the mouth, the muscles build in his hand, which will increase his fine motor skills. Through the moving objects, the child’s ocular skills increase because the child’s eyes are following the blocks up and down, spinning, and other motions. This game is a freeware download for MAC computers. In “Can You Find it 1.51,” the player is trying to find the 5 differences between both pictures, which are side by side. This game is excellent for students with special needs and students without special needs because the student will increase ocular skills, fine motor skills, and cognitive skills. By locating each difference, the student is increasing his eye muscles and his cognitive activity. Also, through the use of pushing the keys and clicking on the mouse, the student will increase fine motor skills in the wrist, the index finger, and the thumb finger, which will later enhance a better grasp on a writing utensils or eating utensils. This game is a shareware download for MAC computers. In the “Breakfast Babies” game, the student will have to find as many matching pictures in as few tries as possible. This game is great for students with special needs and students without special needs. The pictures are very animated, which will stimulate the students and keep the students engaged. All students are able to use cognitive skills, ocular skills, and fine motor skills. The students will enhance all of these skills through playing the game. Also, for the students with peer interaction issues, the game can be played with a friend, which will allow the child to use his peer 3 5 CNET Networks Inc. 2008. Spin.1.1.8. http://www.download.com/3004-2292_410827409.html. accessed May 14, 2008. 4 Tucows Inc. 2006-2008. Can You Find It 1.51. http://www.tucows.com/preview/227489#MoreInfo. accessed May 14, 2008. 5 Tucows Inc. 2006-2008. Breakfast Babies Memory 1.0. http://www.tucows.com/preview/207553. accessed May 14, 2008. 3 Name: June 16, 2005 interaction skills in engaging and initiating in peer conversation and peer play. This game is used on MAC computers. (2) Formal Software Review. In this activity you will be reviewing software that you would find useful in your roll as a teacher. Note: this is a review of software, not websites. Websites can be used only if they have a high level of interactivity and animation such as those at ExploreLearning.com. Although we have software on our local servers, much of it is antiquated, and students are best served by downloading freeware and shareware. Select one software product for formal review and presentation to the class. Write reviews for each according to the format guidelines provided on the following page. Post you selection. Title: “The Number Crew” (1) Description of Program - According to the description of the software, it is a collection of animated, 3-D songs and math lessons, which will help the student to build on his emergent math skills and other various cognitive skills. (2) Basic Information - This software also contains classroom materials, which the teacher access through the software. It is not free and costs $14.95. (3) Target Population - This game would be recommended for ages 4 and up. Children with special needs between the ages 4-6 may need adult assistance. (4) Content Goals - The teacher can implement parts of the lesson into the math lesson. This software also contains classroom materials, which the teacher access through the software. The software allows the children to use their imagination, which will also enhance their imagination skills/cognitive skills. The speaker creates a math world for the students where the software becomes an interactive video with songs and other games. For students with special needs, the game and lesson will also be a great example for them to visualize the way to say a number, to visually familiarize themselves with the numbers, and to stimulate hearing through the sounds. For those with vision needs, the children can learn through the auditory system. (5) Process Goals – First, through the sound and animation, the child can learn through hearing and watching, which will be cognitively stimulating. Second, using the keyboard 4 Name: June 16, 2005 and the mouse will increase the child’s fine motor skills. Third, through the narrator’s cues throughout the game, the game/lesson becomes an interactive event. (6) Lesson Plan – The teacher will allow one to two children to interact with the game during center time. The child can choose among the different centers to developmentally play. The teacher introduces the game as an exploration tool. For example, the teacher says, “Boys and Girls! Today, you’ll get to be an explorer and help the sea man find what he needs.” Once the child is engaged, the teacher will slowly fade out to allow the child independent work time either alone or with a peer (which will enhance his peer interaction and problem solving skills). (7) Summary – Through this software, the child can increase his cognitive, fine motor, emergent math, problem solving, and social abilities. The software is inexpensive, and for those on a budget, the preschool may possibly reimburse the teacher. This game is a great tool for children with and without special needs. The game is motivating, encouraging, interactive, and most of all, fun for a developmentally appropriate preschool lesson. Title: “Christmas Super Frog 1.1.8” (1) Description of Program - The student (as a frog) will be able to collect all the gifts that have been left behind during Christmas. (2) Basic Information - The game is a freeware, which can be downloaded to MAC computers and has no limitations. One can download from www.cnet.com. (3) Target Population – The game is geared toward children ages five and up with or without special needs. (4) Content Goals – While trying to collect gifts in the game, the student will practice fine motor skills through using the mouse or keyboard buttons. The student will practice writing skills through using muscles in his hand by clicking and pushing down the keys. The student will also be working on his eye muscle skills for the students who have Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, and other similar disabilities. The students can also enhance their cognitive skills by locating where the gifts are, which can improve their cognitive planning skills, problem-solving skills, and emergent math skills. (5) Process Goals – During the beginning of the game, the child will be enhancing computer knowledge while improving fine motor skills with using the mouse and the keyboard. Throughout the game, the child increases cognitive abilities while searching for the gifts, collecting them, and placing them in the appropriate areas. With a playmate, the child can increase peer interaction and problem-solving skills. 5 Name: June 16, 2005 (6) Lesson Plan – The teacher begins by introducing the game with a story (be creative). Next, the teacher says, “Today, we’ll be using the computer for our activity.” The teacher can show the students how to turn on the computer. The teacher will log in and install the game. Next, the teacher will demonstrate how the game is played. Then, through trial and error, the children will learn to place the gifts in certain areas in the game, which is improving their cognitive skills. The child can also play the game with a peer by turn taking, which will improve social interaction and problem-solving skills. (7) Summary – The game is wonderful for children with and without special needs. The game will improve the children’s cognitive skills, social skills, problemsolving skills, and fine motor skills, which will all lead to advancing future developmental skills. While playing the game, the child will also increase knowledge of simple functions of a computer, will learn to respect peers, and will learn to respect the environment around them. Title: “Spinnn 1.1.8” (1) Description of Program - The student spins, moves, and rotates different falling block pieces to align them into a horizontal line. (2) Basic Information – This game is freeware and can be downloaded onto the MAC computer from http://www.download.com/3004-2292_4-10827409.html or www.cnet.com. (3) Target Population – The game is geared toward children ages four and up (with or without special needs). (4) Content Goals - As an educator, a student with special needs can increase his fine motor skills, ocular skills, and cognitive skills (math, scheming). Through pushing keys and clicking the mouse, the muscles build in his hand, which will increase his fine motor skills. Through the moving objects, the child’s ocular skills increase because the child’s eyes are following the blocks up and down, spinning, and other motions. The child increases cognitive activity by trying to solve which pieces fit best to make a horizontal line. (5) Process Goals – The child will first understand the meaning of a horizontal line. Next, the child will use problem-solving skills to create that horizontal line. Through trial and error, the child will increase developmental abilities through technology rather than the “building blocks” center. (6) Lesson Plan – The teacher will first introduce the game to the children. Second, the teacher will explain what “horizontal” means, will demonstrate how to play the game, and will fade out as the child becomes more involved with the game. Third, the teacher could have two computer monitors set up next to one another to 6 Name: June 16, 2005 allow another child to play at the same time, which will increase the children’s interaction and improve their social skills. (7) Summary – The game is similar to “Tetris” except for trying to create a “horizontal” line. Through playing the game, the child increases cognitive, social, and fine motor abilities. The game is excellent for children with special needs because the game is stimulating for the eyes and the mind, while trying to create a horizontal line through assorted computer squares. Title: “Can You Find It 1.51?” (1) Description of Program – The player tries to find the 5 differences between both pictures, which are side by side. (2) Basic Information – The game is shareware software, which means that the game is usually free to be downloaded and used; but sometimes, the game is for a free, limited trial. The download is for MAC computers and can be located at www.tucows.com. (3) Target Population – The game is geared toward children with and without special needs ages four and up. (4) Content Goals - By locating each difference, the student is increasing his eye muscles and his cognitive activity. Also, through the use of pushing the keys and clicking on the mouse, the student will increase fine motor skills in the wrist, the index finger, and the thumb finger, which will later enhance a better grasp on a writing utensils or eating utensils. (5) Process Goals – After the child is introduced to the game, the child will first search for items that are not similar, which will increase cognitive activity to further emergent skills development. Second, the child will also be increasing fine motor skills by clicking on the mouse or pushing on the keyboard keys. Last, the child can increase peer interaction by working with a peer on problem solving. (6) Lesson Plan – The teacher will introduce the game to the child by saying enthusiastically, “Boys and Girls! Today you’ll be finding the differences between the two pictures!” After introducing the activity to the child, the child will begin playing independently or with a peer. The children will be increasing various developmental areas as mentioned above in four and five. (7) Summary – The child will learn to use fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills through today’s technology. The child will advance not only in knowledge about the uses of computers but also several developmental areas, which will lead to emergent math, problem solving, interacting skills. 7 Name: June 16, 2005 Title: “Breakfast Babies” (1) Description of Program - In the “Breakfast Babies” game, the student will have to find as many matching pictures in as few tries as possible. (2) Basic Information – The freeware game can be downloaded from www.tucows.com. The game’s title is “Breakfast Babies Memory 1.0 and is usable as a MAC download. (3) Target Population – The target population is children with and without special needs, ages 3 and up. (4) Content Goals – The goals of this freeware program is mainly to enhance the child’s acuity skills, problem solving skills, and mathematical skills. This game can also improve cognitive skills and fine motor skills. The pictures are very animated, which will stimulate the students and keep the students engaged. All students are able to use cognitive skills, ocular skills, and fine motor skills. The students will enhance all of these skills through playing the game. Also, for the students with peer interaction issues, the game can be played with a friend, which will allow the child to use his peer interaction skills in engaging and initiating in peer conversation and peer play. (5) Process Goals – First, the child will begin by using fine motor skills to answer the questions. Then, the child will engage in the game by using the child’s eye muscles, cognitive skills, and problem-solving skills, which will further the child’s emergent math skills. (6) Lesson Plan - The teacher will allow one to two children to interact with the game during center time, which will improve the child’s ability to interact as a team. Here, the child will learn sharing skills. The child can choose among the different centers to developmentally play. Next, the teacher will introduce the game to the child(ren) as a matching game. The teacher will then fade out as the child(ren) learns through play with the computer game and with a peer. (7) Summary – This game is great for children with and without special needs, especially in an inclusion classroom. The children further develop their cognitive skills, emergent math skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, social skills, and ocular abilities, while having fun and interacting with a peer (with little adult assistance). 8