7 - Program Features to Consider When Reviewing Educational Software
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There are many lists of criteria available for evaluating software. The following guidelines are not criteria, but may help you determine criteria that suit your needs.

How will the software be used?

As a complement or supplement to regular classroom instruction? For independent work? For collaboration to assist with projects? For working on the writing process? To develop computer literacy skills, including keyboarding?

What kind of skills are presented and what kinds of items are there?

For what level is the material designed? Can speaking, listening, reading and writing be practiced? What are the multimedia capabilities? (sound, video, graphics, voice recognition) What kind of skills or content areas are covered? (reading, vocabulary, writing, oral skills, grammar, numeracy, keyboarding, computer literacy, Internet, reference, library skills, project work) What question types are used? (multiple choice, true/false, short answer, cloze, jumble, matching, fill in the blanks, free format, sentences and paragraphs for editing etc.) Are items contextualized or are they discrete?

How easy is it for students to use?

Are instructions for using each section clear? Does it require a lot of initial training time in order to set up or use? Can students easily move through the program and practice items they are interested in, or is the program sequence locked? If they find a section too easy or too difficult, can they exit and start another?

How is feedback/correction handled?

Is there adequate pre-testing and post-testing? What kind of feedback is given to the students? (e.g. yes/no and automatically moves to next question or try again, correct answer and explanation, explanation for all correct answers, branching to other tests or study materials) How many times is a student permitted to try an answer? Are hints given so a student can try again? Are attempts tracked so the teacher knows what kinds of errors are being made?

Is there easy-to-use record keeping for students and teachers?

Can teachers and students print out or obtain reports on how they are doing? Is each question analyzed so either learners or teachers know what additional work is needed?

How much input does the instructor have?

Authoring capabilities: Can teachers add their own materials or use their own ideas to alter or create items in the program?

Parameter settings: Are there settings to allow control for: feedback, time limits, giving or not giving hints, answering questions in any order, returning to questions, multiple correct answers, scoring methods, and timing of feedback?

Mode Options: Can the program be used for testing, browsing and practice? (The difference is usually in the timing of feedback, scoring and referrals to guidelines.)

What logistical considerations are there?

Hardware requirements; cost; vendor support.

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