| Title of Software: Rocket Reader |
| Website |
| Description
of Software: Rocket
Reader is a speed reading software designed for different age groups
and reading levels. This software program contains many lessons, speed
reading tests, tests on comprehension, and various other materials that
can aide in sujects such as: Science, Literature, Story Telling, and
History among a few. The best feature of this software is the
instructions being offered in 5 languages: Spanish, English, French,
German, Italian and Portuguese. Although this software is used to
improve the reading speed and comprehension of Individuals, it helps
people who are less proficient in English to understand the
instructions that will guide them through their journey of learning.
Rocket Reader helps children learn how to read and helps adults learn
how to read more complex texts. The database includes 60,000 phrases
and about 28,000 different words which the reader has a control over.
In addition to all the features it has, this software tracks the
progress of the reader, as well as creating a progress report showing
the grade level, reading speed and comprehension of the user. |
| Ease of Installation and Use: Rocket reader is very easy and quick to install with many different platforms, including Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows NT. The user can directly download the software from the website, not having to wait for it to be mailed. A free trial version is available which allows the user to try Rocket Reader for 10 days. |
| Price:
$89 |
| Evaluation:
69/75 |
| Criteria | Poor-1 | Below Average-2 | Average-3 | Above Average-4 | Excellent-5 | Total Points |
| Content | ||||||
| Content Accuracy | x |
|
4 | |||
| Content age apropriateness | x | 5 | ||||
| Educational Value | x | 5 | ||||
| Organization/Presentation/Layout | x | 4 | ||||
| Ease of Use | ||||||
| Ease of Navigation | x |
5 | ||||
| Covers a variety of Skill levels | x | 5 | ||||
| Learner Engagement/Interactivity | x | 5 | ||||
| Technical Aspects | ||||||
| Ease of Installation | x | 5 | ||||
| Hardware |
x |
4 | ||||
| Graphics/Multimedia |
x |
4 | ||||
| Assessment | ||||||
| Treatment of Errors/Feedback | x | 5 | ||||
| Record-Keeping Features | x | 5 | ||||
| Pre-assessment and Post-Assessment | x | 5 | ||||
| Cost | ||||||
| Price | x | 3 | ||||
| Value relative to Features offered |
x | 5 | ||||
| Evaluation: |
69/75 |
| Title of Software: Propaganda |
| Website |
| Description
of Software: Propaganda is a full-featured program that makes
it easier for beginners to create their first podcast. The array of
different features this software has is very well organized and fairly
easy to use. There are some features which may be a bit complex for a
first time user, but these features help us record, arrange and publish
a podcast. The best feature of this software is the music and sound
effects. With the help of this component, the creation of a podcast may
be quick and easy. The beautiful interface gives the software an
attractive look, as well as making it look professional. |
| Ease
of Installation and Use: This software is very easy to
install, and the user-interface is very helpful for the first-time
podcast creators. Some features lik drag and drop of audio and
storyboard editing makes the use of this software very smooth. There
are some editing features which could have been made simpler, but the
overall software is perfect to create a podcast. The publishing
features helps the user publish his podcast on his own website. |
| Price:
$49.95 |
| Evaluation:
65/75 |
| Criteria | Poor-1 | Below Average-2 | Average-3 | Above Average-4 | Excellent-5 | Total Points |
| Content | ||||||
| Content Accuracy | x |
4 | ||||
| Content age apropriateness | x |
4 | ||||
| Educational Value | x |
|
4 | |||
| Organization/Presentation/Layout |
x |
4 | ||||
| Ease of Use | ||||||
| Ease of Navigation |
x |
5 | ||||
| Covers a variety of Skill levels | x |
|
|
3 | ||
| Learner Engagement/Interactivity |
x |
4 | ||||
| Technical Aspects | ||||||
| Ease of Installation |
x |
|
4 | |||
| Hardware |
x |
4 | ||||
| Graphics/Multimedia | x | 5 | ||||
| Assessment | ||||||
| Treatment of Errors/Feedback |
|
x | 5 | |||
| Record-Keeping Features |
|
x | 5 | |||
| Pre-assessment and Post-Assessment |
x |
4 | ||||
| Cost | ||||||
| Price | x | 5 | ||||
| Value relative to Features offered |
x | 5 | ||||
| Evaluation: |
65/75 |
| Title
of Software: Fluenz Spanish 1 |
| Website |
| Description
of Software: Fluenz is a language software which uses a
different approach to teach various languages, in this case, Spanish.
Fluenz has created a one-on-one learning experience for the user,
incorporating a video of a private tutor teaching each lesson. This
software is more focused on vocabulary essential for tourists who want
to learn the necessary words in order to have a conversation. Fluenz
covers simple and essential words which will help in the daily life,
rather than complex words which are only necessary in the intermediate
and advanced level of Spanish. The best feature of Fluenz is the
reinforcement of vocaulary words through activities which help the user
understand the word, as well as apply it to a context. |
| Ease
of Installation and Use: This software is pretty easy to
use and the best part of this, is the free demo available which
introduces us to all the features. In addition to this, the website has
a sample session which gives the user an overview of what to expect
when buying this software. The software's interface is very simple and
easy to use. The tabs are clearly labeled and the menus are very
helpful to the user. |
| Price:
$218 |
| Evaluation:
67/75 |
| Criteria | Poor-1 | Below Average-2 | Average-3 | Above Average-4 | Excellent-5 | Total Points |
| Content | ||||||
| Content Accuracy | x |
5 |
||||
| Content age apropriateness | x | 5 |
||||
| Educational Value | x | 5 |
||||
| Organization/Presentation/Layout |
x |
4 |
||||
| Ease of Use | ||||||
| Ease of Navigation | x | 5 | ||||
| Covers a variety of Skill levels | x | 5 | ||||
| Learner Engagement/Interactivity | x | 5 | ||||
| Technical Aspects | ||||||
| Ease of Installation | x | 5 | ||||
| Hardware | x | 4 | ||||
| Graphics/Multimedia | x | 4 | ||||
| Assessment | ||||||
| Treatment of Errors/Feedback | x | 5 | ||||
| Record-Keeping Features | x | 5 | ||||
| Pre-assessment and Post-Assessment | x | 5 | ||||
| Cost | ||||||
| Price | x | 2 | ||||
| Value relative to Features offered |
x | 3 | ||||
| Evaluation: |
67/75 |
| Title of Software: AutoDesk SketchBook Pro |
| Website |
| Description
of Software: AutoDesk Sketchbook is an illustration and photo
editing software program. Although it doesn't offer a variety of
features (no natural media effects) like other illustration programs,
it makes the experience quick and simple, make it easier for beginners.
It has a very easy to use interface. Features such as: Brush
customization, interactive mirroring, layers and color management give
the software the essentials required to illustrate and/or edit. |
| Ease
of Installation and Use: Very easy to install. Although
the software is not very cheap, there is a trial version available
which can be downloaded from the website. Very easy to install
and runs on Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac, making it
available to everybody. The menu is a bit limited, but quite organized,
making the creation of artwork quick and smooth. |
| Price:
$91.99 |
| Evaluation:
59/75 |
| Criteria | Poor-1 | Below Average-2 | Average-3 | Above Average-4 | Excellent-5 | Total Points |
| Content | ||||||
| Content Accuracy | x | 4 | ||||
| Content age apropriateness | x | 4 | ||||
| Educational Value | x | 3 | ||||
| Organization/Presentation/Layout | x | 3 | ||||
| Ease of Use | ||||||
| Ease of Navigation | x | 5 | ||||
| Covers a variety of Skill levels | x | 4 | ||||
| Learner Engagement/Interactivity | x | 4 | ||||
| Technical Aspects | ||||||
| Ease of Installation | x | 5 | ||||
| Hardware | x | 4 | ||||
| Graphics/Multimedia | x | 3 | ||||
| Assessment | ||||||
| Treatment of Errors/Feedback | x | 4 | ||||
| Record-Keeping Features | x | 5 | ||||
| Pre-assessment and Post-Assessment | x | 5 | ||||
| Cost | ||||||
| Price | x | 3 | ||||
| Value relative to Features offered |
x | 3 | ||||
| Evaluation: |
59/75 |
| Title
of Software: Babylon 8 |
| Website |
| Description
of Software: Babylon is a dictionary and translation software
which makes the translation of full webpages or documents very
easy. Apart from this, texts from emails and Instant Messengers can be
translated. Just a right-click on a text can translate the text
to 17 different languages, some of which are: Russian, Italian,
Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, French and German.. No instructions needed
and perfect for people who don't want to type in a lot of information.
Apart from translating texts, this software helps the users look up
definitions of words they are not sure about. In addition to
this, Babylon includes a conversion utility that converts units, or
numbers to different currencies or time zones. A perfect combination of
different features and perfect accuracy. |
| Ease
of Installation and Use: One of the easiest translation
softwares for people who don't have time to spare. Easy to download
with a free trial and a monthly subscription offer in addition to a
life-time membership. Operates on Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows
Vista. It would have been to have a version for Mac. Babylon is very
easy to use and doesn't take up much of your screen space, as it is
present as a small window on the corner of your screen until it pops up
into action when looking up definitions and other references. The
graphics are fairly good and the layout is above average. |
| Price:
Monthly subscription- $9.70 and Life-time membership-$120 |
| Evaluation:
70/75 |
| Criteria | Poor-1 | Below Average-2 | Average-3 | Above Average-4 | Excellent-5 | Total Points |
| Content |
|
|||||
| Content Accuracy | x |
5 |
||||
| Content age apropriateness | x | 5 | ||||
| Educational Value | x | 5 | ||||
| Organization/Presentation/Layout | x | 4 | ||||
| Ease of Use | ||||||
| Ease of Navigation | x | 5 | ||||
| Covers a variety of Skill levels | x | 5 | ||||
| Learner Engagement/Interactivity | x | 5 | ||||
| Technical Aspects | ||||||
| Ease of Installation | x | 5 | ||||
| Hardware | x | 4 | ||||
| Graphics/Multimedia | x | 4 | ||||
| Assessment | ||||||
| Treatment of Errors/Feedback | x | 4 | ||||
| Record-Keeping Features | x | 5 | ||||
| Pre-assessment and Post-Assessment | x | 5 | ||||
| Cost | ||||||
| Price (Poor=too expensive) |
x | 5 | ||||
| Value relative to Features offered |
x | 5 | ||||
| Evaluation: |
71/75 |