Courseware Evaluation Checklist

Title__________________________________ Content Area___________________________________

Publisher ______________________________ Hardware Required______________________________

Courseware functions:

_____ Drill and practice

_____ Tutorial Simulation

_____ Instructional game

_____ Problem solving

_____ Other:

 Many characteristics should be considered when selecting courseware for use in one's classroom or lab, but the following should be considered essential qualities for any instructional product on the computer. If courseware does not meet these criteria, it should not be considered for purchase. For each item, indicate Y for yes if it meets the criterion, or N for no if it does not. I. Instructional Design and Pedagogical Soundness _____ Teaching strategy appropriate for student level and is based on best-known methods

_____ Presentation on screen contains nothing than misleads or confuses students

_____ Readability and difficulty at an appropriate level for students who will use it

_____ Comments to students not abusive or insulting

_____ Graphics fulfill important purpose (motivation, information) and not distracting to learners

Criteria specific to drill and practice functions:

_____ High degree of control over presentation rate (unless the method is timed review)

_____ Appropriate feedback for correct answers (none, if timed; not elaborate or time-consuming)

_____ Feedback is more reinforcing for correct than for incorrect responses.

Criteria specific to tutorials:

_____ High degree of interactivity (not just reading information)

_____ High degree of user control (forward and backward movement, branching upon request)

_____ Comprehensive teaching sequence so instruction is self-contained and standalone

_____ Adequate answer-judging capabilities for student-constructed answers to questions

Criteria specific to simulations:

_____ Appropriate degree of fidelity (accurate depiction of system being modeled)

_____ Good documentation available on how program works

Criteria specific to instructional games:

_____ Low quotient of violence or combat-type activities

_____ Amount of physical dexterity required appropriate to students who will use it
 

 II. Content _____ No grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors on the screen

_____ All content accurate and up-to-date

_____ No racial or gender stereotypes

_____ Exhibits a sensitive treatment of moral and/or social issues (e. g., perspectives on war or capital punishment)
 

 III. User Flexibility _____ User normally has some control of movement within the program (e. g., can go from screen to screen at desired rate; can read text at desired rate; can exit program when desired)

_____ Can turn off sound, if desired
 

 IV. Technical Soundness _____ Program loads consistently, without error

_____ Program does not break, no matter what the student enters

_____ Program does what the screen says it should do
 
 
 

 Decision: