Educational Software Evaluation Form

Title: _Space Explorer _______________________

Publisher: Virtual Dynamics Software___________

Copyright: __2004___________ Version: _1.0____

Platform/version: __ Mac    x_ Windows Media: __ Diskette __ CD-ROM __ DVD Also Needs: __ Internet __ Microphone  __

Other ____________________ Cost: __Free___

 

Teacher Support

DOCUMENTATION: __Binder __Booklet __Included on media

  x_ on Internet   INSTRUCTION MANUAL HAS:

 

____Objectives ____Lesson plans _x    Sample screens _x__Resource information ____Reproducible student pages       ____Student booklets __x_Other ___Support community  for discussions and posts about space journeys

Content

 

Material is presented impartially and without bias or distortion: _x_Yes  ___No

Compared to the standards from: ______________________________________ Meets these standards: (Mark only one)

 

Text Box: ASSESS IT MC SW AT IN MM SC CC KB PS SS EC LA PRO DEV SN HPER MA RL TE WL Classroom

SUBJECT AREAS—Please circle all that apply

 

Topic: ___Space Exploration and Astronomy  

GRADES/ABILITY LEVELS—Circle the range

 

PK  K  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11 12     _x_Teacher also      __Teacher only

READABILITY LEVEL—Circle one

 

Easier     Consistent More with grade  Difficult

STUDENT GROUPING

 

____x_Individuals ___x__Groups of 3 or 4 __x___Pairs ______Whole group

DESCRIBE THE CONTENT:  Space Explorer is an interactive software program that allows students to create a simulation of a solar system.  Students are able to interact with astronomically correct planets and stars. 

 

PROVIDES

Student journal No

E-mail option Yes

 Spreadsheet  No

 Calculator No

 Print options Yes

Other _______________

 

 

on:_________________________________________________________

Text Box: Technical Quality FINAL REPORT CARD Teacher support D Installation and Setup: __Difficult __Time consuming _x_Simple Content B Sound is:__Essential __High quality X Supplemental Assessment D Videos: __ Run jerkily _x_ smoothly __Are essential __Not essential Technical quality B Instructional design B

YOUR OVERALL RATING _C_____

 

340 NETS FOR TEACHERS—PREPARING TEACHERS TO USE TECHNOLOGY

APPENDIX D • EVALUATION FORMS

Text Box: Instructional Design CIRCLE THE MODES THAT APPLY AC AU BL CA CP DE DP EG EX GP IN LEP MM PS RF SI TE TL TU PROMOTES _x_ Creativity _x_ Collaboration _x_ Discovery _x_ Higher-order thinking _x_ Problem solving ___ Memorization MOTIVATIONAL _x_ Student controls pacing X Stimulates curiosity x_ Challenging x_Real-world connections  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STRENGTHS:

This program will keep students actively engaged while exposing them to a new software program.  Space Explorer is an interactive program that creates a physically realistic simulation of solar systems.  Students are able to create and customize their own 3D solar system and interact with it by controlling their interplanetary motion.  The rendering of the planets and star are astronomically correct and based on Newton’s gravitation law.  Students can take video and snapshots as they travel.  Through the website they students are also able to join a Space Explorer community where they can discuss their journeys.  This forum gives them an opportunity to express and increase their language skills. 

 

 

 

WEAKNESSES:

One of the major weaknesses is that there is no lesson formats provided for the teacher.  The teacher would have to develop and integrate their own objectives and any supplemental material that would be used by the students, including assessments.  When first using the software it can be confusing.  One needs to go through the online tutorial and the help option to get a good understanding on how to use the program.  Once the student has an understanding of how to use the software it becomes easier with use. 

 

 

 

 

DESCRIBE THE LEARNING STRATEGY INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN:

The learning strategy incorporated into this design is an exploratory inquiry-based strategy.   

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

As a teacher, supplemental materials would be useful to allow for easy incorporation into the curriculum.  We would recommend lesson plans with objectives, student worksheets, and discussion questions along with pre and post assessments to be created and made available.  Easier navigation tools and concise instructions would be beneficial to the students. 

 

Educational Software – Space Explorer

            Space Explorer, interactive space simulation software, can be integrated into inquiry-based teaching and learning for grades second through twelfth.  After students learn the basics of the solar system, including planets and stars, this software provides a medium for them to take their knowledge to a higher level.  The students are in charge of their own learning while using this software. 

            One of our favorite components of this software is the forum provided for Space Explorers to interact and contact each other.  The students have an opportunity to talk about the journeys the experienced along with share snap shots of places they have gone.  The Space Explorer Community encourages student engagement and takes motivation to a higher level through inquiry-based learning. 

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