WHAT MAKES A GOOD EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE PRODUCT?

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN

· Does it meet your curriculum needs?

· Can you get the same information more easily or inexpensively from another source?

· How sound is the content? Is it well researched?

· How current is the information? How will it be updated?

· Is it consistently age appropriate in content, pictures, graphics?

· Does it promote information literacy skills (critical thinking)?

· Is the multi-media meaningful?

· Is it engaging? Does it motivate the students?

· Does it adapt to different learning needs?

· Can the text and/or photos be printed easily?

· Is it classroom friendly? Can you turn off options like sound?

· Is there a teacher’s manual?

· Are there scholastic reviews by librarians/teachers?

  SOFTWARE DESIGN

· Is it easy for students/faculty to use without reading a manual?

· Is the screen organized and easy to follow?

· Is it easy to install and maintain?

· How good is the product’s tech support?

· How much "in-house" tech support is needed ?