Diana+Martinez



Software Reviews __Read, Write & Type! 2 User School Editions__ 1. The “Read, Write & Type! 2 User School Editions” purpose is to use phonics in order to link reading and writing. This software teaches students reading, writing, and typing. Provides spoken instructions and demonstrations for the students. With this program the students work though lessons in order to develop phonics and typing skills. This program fits into three subject areas- reading, writing and keyboarding. 2. This product falls into software categories, these categories being tutorial, and drill and practice. a. Tutorial because this software teachers and provides practice with reading, writing, and typing. b. Drill and practice because this software includes 40 lessons for the students to work on with the difficulty rising as the students complete the lessons. 3. This product would work well for a learning center activity; this program helps with reading, writing and typing which creates more learning per lesson in more than one area. Also this software can provide students with extra practice. For students who are learning English as a second language this software would help them. Students could also use this program to create their own stories. 4. The strengths of this program include the gradually challenging lessons, the sound games, typing challenges, story ideas and stories, the tools to allow students to write and print their stories, it has a bilingual help option, has both visual and auditory feedback, also the teacher can print score reports and certificates for individual students. A weakness could be the fact that students must complete the lessons in order to move forward, while students are at different levels some students might feel it is a waste because they are not being challenged enough. 5. This program costs $63.98; it can be purchased at JourneyEd. 6. [|http://www.journeyed.com] à  Shop Hardware à  k-12 à  Elementary à  Read, Write & Type! 2 User School Editions System requirements include: Windows (Win 95/98/Me/2000/XP, 486/33MHz, 8 MB RAM, 1.4 MB available disk space, 640x480, 256 colors SVGA, 2X CD-ROM, Win-compatible sound card) or Macintosh ( Mac 7.5+ OS X, 68030/25MHz, 8 MB RAM, 2 MB available disk space, 13" monitor, 256 colors, 8-bit color, 2X CD-ROM)

__**Kidspiration 3.0 Mac/Win **__ 1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The purpose of this software is to develop the students thinking, literacy and numeracy skills using visual learning. Students strengthen their word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension and written expression. In math students build reasoning and problem solving skills. This software is created for K-5 grade students and is included in math, writing and reading subject areas. 2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The software fits into tutorial, drill and practice, instructional games and problem solving categories. a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Tutorial because the software teaches and provides extra practice with concepts covered in class or not in class. b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Drill and practice because the software uses drill and practice to help students better their understanding of the concepts and allows the teacher to see what the students are and are not learning. c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Instructional games because the software uses games to help the students understand what was taught. d.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Problem solving because the software helps the students learn problem solving skills with math. 3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This software program would work well with the curriculum for students who enjoy a lot of visual learning. The program offers activities in curriculum areas that the students can then use visual learning. This could be used as a learning center activity. 4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The strengths of this program include the fact that it helps students visual learning, it has math, writing and reading included in the software so it is not just one subject area that the students will continuously work on, also it develops thinking skills and has many graphic organizers the students can use. A negative would be the fact that this software seems to be more of a fun free time but it is a little hard to tell without testing all it can do and if the difficulty increases. 5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This program casts $59.98; it can be purchased at JourneyEd. 6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> [|http://www.journeyed.com] à <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Shop Hardware à <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> k-12 à <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Elementary à <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Kidspiration 3.0 Mac/Win The software requirements include: Windows (Pentium II 266 MHz or faster, Windows 98, ME, 2000, EX including Tablet PC Edition or Vista, 128MB 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) or 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 installations only)

__**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Adventure Workshop 6: 4th-6th Grade **__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Adventure Workshop 6: 4th-gth Grade includes four CD-ROM’s. It helps the students with key topics in history, math, science and reading. The software includes four well known product titles, these include “The Oregon Trail 5th Edition”, “ClueFinders Adventures: Secret of the Living Volcano”, “Carmen Sandiego: Where in the U.S.A. is Carmen Sandiego?”, and “Liberty Kids”. This software is used for fourth to sixth grade and subject areas include math, history, science and reading. 2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The software seems to fit into two categories, the simulation and instructional game. a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Simulation because the software simulates different topics. b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Instructional game because the software uses games to instruct the students. 3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This software could be used for the purpose of learning centers but more so free or extra time the student doesn’t have. This seems to be more of a game and not as focused on the lessons. 4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The strengths of this software include that it will keep the students interested while also keeping their mind active in learning. The negatives of this software would include that it seems to be more of a fun game and there may not be many times this software would correlate with lessons. 5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This program costs $17.95; It can be purchased at Rocky Mountain Learning Systems. 6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> [] System requirements include: Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 SP4, XP SP 1*, Pentium II 300 MHz processor or faster, 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM for Windows XP), 420 MB of free hard disk space1, 8X CD-ROM drive or faster, 16-bit color monitor with 800 x 600 resolution or better, 4 MB DirectX compatible video card, Windows compatible 16-bit sound card & speakers, Windows compatible keyboard and mouse, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher, Printer Support: Works with most popular printers (Monochrome and color) supported by Windows, 33.6 Kbps modem or faster and Internet service provider account required for Internet access.

__**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">50 (Fifty) Quick & Easy Science Computer Activities **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This software is aligned with the NSES Standards. Its purpose is to give teachers new ways to include technology with science lessons. This is appropriate for students from k-8th grade. The subject area is science. 2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This software can be included in two categories, these being tutorial and problem solving. a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Tutorial because it teaches and provides practice with science concepts and activities. b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Problem solving because the students must problem solve while working on the activities. 3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This software would be useful when teaching science, so to align with the lessons being taught during science. It has many web resources, generic activities, PowerPoint activities, and inspiration and kidspiration activities and excel activities. This software would allow for hands on instruction aligned with the lessons being taught in science. 4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The strengths of this program is that it includes many different resources and activities giving teachers ideas and resources to use for science. Weaknesses of this program include the fact that it is such a wide range of learners meaning the difficulty on some things would be too little and too much on others. 5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The cost is $33.95; It can be purchased at K12 software. 6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> [] System requirements include: Macintosh (4 MB RAM, System 7 or higher) or Windows (4 MB RAM, Windows 95/98/2000/XP)

__**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade 2 User School Versions **__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The purpose of this software product is to reinforce skills in math, geography, grammar, science and more. This software claims to prepare the student for fourth grade and beyond. The appropriate grade level would be 3rd and 4th grade; the appropriate subject area would be science, math, geography, grammar, and reading. 2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The software can be included in four categories, those being drill and practice, tutorial, instructional game, and problem solving. a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Drill and practice because the students get drills and practices throughout the software use. b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Tutorial because the students are taught and given practice. c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Instructional game because there are games and it is instructional by teaching or furthering the students knowledge with topics. d.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> Problem solving because the students work on problem solving skills mainly in the math sections. 3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> This software program would be an overall good learning center for the students because it enforces what it being taught throughout the class in many subject areas. This could integrate with the curriculum by being a way to allow the students to further knowledge, and test if they are learning the material all while enjoying the work. 4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The strengths of this software program include that it covers many subject areas; it can be used for many different ways whether to further knowledge and understanding, or to see what the students understand. This program tests a variety of skills for individual students. A weakness of this program include that it does not allow students as much freedom like with writing stories or graphic organizers. 5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The cost of this program is $60.00; It can be purchased at JourneyEd. 6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> [|http://www.journeyed.com] System requirements include: Windows (Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP, Math & Science Challenge 2000/XP, Pentium® II 266 MHz (Pentium® II 300 MHz or faster for XP), 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM for XP), 12x CD-ROM drive, 16-bit color , Windows®-compatible sound card) or Macintosh (PowerMac G3 266 MHz or faster - OS 9.2.1, 10.1.5, 10.2.3, 10.3.1, (Field Trip Adventure Disc: OS 9.2.1, OSX Classic Mode) , 64 MB of RAM (128 MB RAM for 10.1.5, 10.2.3, 10.3.1), 16x CD-ROM drive, 16-bit color)

April Knudsen: Kidspiration 3.0

I too looked into Inspiration software. I choose to review Inspiration grade 6 - adult because of it flexibility in implementation. I am amazing at how highly acclaimed this software is! I have actually been asked to bring up us purchasing this software for the school I work with because of how diverse it is. Did you have a chance to read all the research behind its success? http://www.inspiration.com/Educators/Research

It is so affordable. I work at a rural low income school, and we have a hard time affording computers for our library much less software for various curriculums. With Inspiration it encourages cross curriculum incorporation, and offers lesson plans to help teachers do it. I highly suggest any Inspiration software to any educator.

Nina Hazelton: I too likes one of the JumpStart programs, it seems easy to use and very child friendly. I researched the art one. I like how they have many subject areas with good reviews.

Diana, That Adventure Workshop game sounds like a lot of games for not too much money. I used to love playing Oregon Trail when I was little. I think Oregon Trail is a good game for teaching the history of the pioneers. I liked Carmen SanDiego too. Lindsey

Christy Krobath: I have to agree the Adventure Workshop does sound fun and what a great way to have universal software that has multiple purposes.

Diana, I think it is so awesome that READ, WRITE And TYPE is available. I would have loved to have some form of typing class growing-up. I still am just an average typer. I think this program would really be an asset to the classroom. Thanks for your review. - Jackie Parry

The “Read, Write & Type” software really appeals to me. I think that it is very important for children to learn how to type at a young age because of how much people rely on computers to do things. This program seems like it would really be helpful, and it would keep the students working hard since the difficulty changes. The “Jump Start Adventures” software is also something that I would want to use in my classroom. Some things I like most about it is that there are so many subject areas that are met; also that the software meets that standards. A program like this could be incorporated into any type of lesson, and students would like it. I think that it is very important that students enjoy learning. Carlee Snarich __

I really liked the different software you found. I found some different ones than yours. So your reviews have given me some good ideas for when I have my own classroom. I cannot believe all the different software out there!

Samantha Osenbaugh

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From what I read I assume that you plan to become an Elementary school teacher. I think that all of the information you have collected is very well presented and would be of great aid to you in the future. I also like the fact that you were very detailed with the system requirements, the way technology is rapidly growing its nice to know specifics.

Serenity Matlock-Way