2 - How to Use this Guide
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This guide has been divided into three main sections:

Section 1 - Introductory Guide to Technology Planning

Section 2 - Annotated Bibliography of Software Resources and Web Sites

Section 3 - Appendices

Section 1: Introductory Guide to Technology Planning

Section 1 provides a series of articles, which together form a complete introductory guide to getting started with technology planning. This is a good starting place for programs which have not yet ventured into the use of computer technology, as well as for programs which have started using computer technology but are not sure what direction to take in expanding their resources.

There are five articles in Section 1 which will help you to determine program goals with respect to the use of computer technology, and provide you with a focus for conducting a search for computer resources using the Annotated Bibliography of Software Resources and Web Sites in Section 2.

The five articles included in this section are:

 Misconceptions and Fantasies About the Use of Computers

 Effective Management of Computer Resources

 Program Features to Consider When Reviewing Educational Software

 Technology Planning Needs Analysis

 Guide to the Purchase of Hardware and Software

 Glossary of Computer Terms

Section 2: Annotated Bibliography of Software Resources & Web Sites

The primary purpose of this guide is to provide an annotated bibliography of software resources and Web sites rated according to the Canadian Language Benchmarks, and appropriate for use with ESL and LINC students. Each record in the Annotated Bibliography includes a summary of relevant information for each product, such as features, language skills addressed, application etc., which will help practitioners and students determine the computer resources which will be most beneficial for their needs. Many products were reviewed. Those included in this database were considered to be the most useful and accessible for Canadian ESL and LINC programs.

Section 2 contains the Annotated Bibliography records, ordered alphabetically by product name, and organized in 3 parts:

Software Resources

World Wide Web sites

Reference Material

Section 3: Appendix

In Section 3 there is a series of indexes to the Annotated Bibliography of Software Resources and Web Sites. Here you will find complete, individual listings of all computer resources grouped by product name under a variety of headings such as reading, writing, speaking/listening and math, as well as a complete list of resources suitable for the Literacy Benchmarks.

Helpful Tips on How to Use the Print Version of the Annotated Bibliography

The Annotated Bibliography can be used:

• as a reference to check out a software item that you have heard about and are considering using
• as a resource of information to refer to in order to find individual products that seem appropriate for your purposes
• as a searchable database to help you narrow down your choices for a specific kind of software

To use the Annotated Bibliography as a searchable database it is of course recommended to use the Filemaker Pro v.3.0 database included with this publication. If you are intending to conduct your search manually using the print-based version of the database, here are some suggestions on how to best conduct your search:

1) Establish a list of the essential criteria for the type of products you are interested in. In preparing this list of criteria, keep in mind the categories of information used to review each product in the Annotated Bibliography of Software Resources and Web Sites. Your essential criteria should include the following: computer platform (IBM or Macintosh), system version (DOS, Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, MacOS), skill area (reading, writing, speaking/listening, math), Canadian Language Benchmark rating, technical user level for students as well as teachers, price range and if appropriate the rating for Canadian content and general content.

Here is an example of an essential criteria list:

Reading software, Canadian Language Benchmark 4-8, high Canadian content as well as content which relates to the Canadian Language Benchmark areas, technically easy to operate for both teachers and students. Must run on an IBM/compatible using Windows 3.1.

2) Go to Appendix 1. Locate the skill area listing of your choice, in the preceding example the skill area listing would be for reading.

3) Go to Section 2 and look up the records by product name. Skim through each record, looking specifically for those products that fit the essential criteria you listed. Tag or bookmark the records which meet your essential criteria.

4) Compare the descriptions and reviews for the records you have tagged and list those that seem most suitable for your needs.

5) Contact the company or developer and request a demonstration copy or an unrestricted copy to use for a trial period.

NOTE: If you plan to do a number of specialized searches for particular kinds of products, it is recommended that you obtain the Filemaker Pro v.3.0 database of the document available in either an IBM or Macintosh version.

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