Software Review

For our week 3 blog, we are to answer the questions about the software review websites in our book Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching by M.D. Robyler and Aaron H. Doering. For this assignment, we evaluated SREB EvaluTech, California Learning Resource Network, SuperKids, and Education World. When searching for the SREB Evalutech, I found the actual website, but could not find any place where the site offered software reviews. I did learn that they had recently updated their website because I clicked a link and the page had been moved.

The California Learning Resource Network, SuperKids, and Education World websites all had numerous software reviews. They ranged their software from Pre-K through high school. The reviews were submitted by a team of educators from public and private schools, as well as educators from higher education institutions. Many of the reviews included a date that the review was posted, so users are able to see how recently the evaluation was submitted. I like that the California Learning Resource Network website included not only the California state standards, but also the common core standards in their software reviews. Knowing that the common core standards will be in effect next year, this website would help me to find software that was already geared to the standards. I would probably use the SuperKids website the most for software reviews. It was the most user-friendly and had an easy search engine for finding specific software. It also had more information for early childhood educators that would benefit me and my students.