Software evaluationAmy O’Toole, Graduate Student

Concordia University

Problem #1: Communication Software

• Komarek School’s 1 to 1 initiative

• 5th through 8th grades

• Turn in homework electronically

• Communicate with students and parents

• Collaborate on assignments

• Check academic progress

• Ability to post homework

Evaluation Rubric~adapted from Instructional Technology and Media for Learning

Features Exceeds Meets Does Not MeetCost Free or Lower than

BudgetWithin Budget Not within Budget

Appropriate 5th-8th grade

Language and Interface is understandable for students

Language and Interface is somewhat understandable for students

Language and Interface cannot be understood by students

24 hour Technical Support

24/7 hour online and phone support

24 hour online support No support provided

Knowledge Base Available

Searchable knowledge database

FAQ section No Knowledge Database or FAQ section

Easy to Use Easy-to-use interface, minimal training needed

Somewhat easy interface, may require training

Difficult to navigate, training needed in order to use

Rubric Continued . . . Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet

Training Provided Webinars and In-service Training Provided

Webinar Only Training No Training Provided

Aligned with Common Core

Aligned with Common Core

Aligned with State or other objectives

Not Aligned with any state or other objectives

Ability to Submit Homework Electronically

Students can easily submit homework and receive feedback from teachers

Students can submit documents to teachers, but cannot receive feedback

Students cannot submit anything to teachers nor receive any feedback

Create Test/Quizzes Teachers can create online test and quizzes

Teachers can create tests and quizzes with limitations

Teachers cannot create any test or quizzes

Access on Mobile device Users can use this software on their mobile device

Some users can use this software on their mobile device

Cannot access this software with a mobile device

Rubric Continued . . .

Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet

Interact with Students Students can interact freely with teacher

Students can interact occasionally with teacher

Students cannot interact with their teacher at all

Interact with Parents Parents can check the status of their child’s academic progress with minimal help

Parents can check the status of their child’s academic progress with help

Parents cannot check the academic progress of their child

Interactive Calendar All students assignments appear on one calendar regardless of teacher

Students have to check different calendars for different teachers’ assignments

There is no calendar to check assignments

Learning Management Software (LMS)

Edmodo Schoology

Edmodo vs. Schoology

Features Edmodo SchoologyCost Exceeds ExceedsAppropriate 5th-8th grade

Exceeds Exceeds

24 hour Technical Support

Meets – no phone support

Meets – no phone support

Knowledge Base Available

Exceeds Exceeds

Easy to Use Exceeds ExceedsTraining Provided Meets – online only Meets – online onlyAligned with Common Core

Meets – Math & ELA only

Exceeds

Edmodo vs. Schoology continued . . .

Features Edmodo SchoologyAbility to Submit Homework Electronically

Exceeds Exceeds

Create Test/Quizzes Exceeds ExceedsAccess on Mobile device

Excceds Exceeds

Interact with Students Exceeds ExceedsInteract with Parents Exceeds ExceedsInteractive Calendar Meets Meets - (available in

paid version)

What others are saying . . .

Edmodo• PLCs“its (Edmodo’s) professional learning networks are more mature and active than those in Schoology” ~

• Create small groups

• Badges, incentives

Schoology• Integrates better with iOS

• Discussions

• Assessment builder

• Analytics

• Update feed better to understand

“Schoology is closer to the one-stop-shop for full learning management” ~ Robert Schuetz

Recommendations

• Schoology would be the best fit for Komarek School

• Discussions capabilities more robust

• More compatible with iOS

• Test/Quizzes capabilities more robust

• Looking ahead paid version integrates with PowerSchool, existing LMS

Problem #2: Math Software

Math Department looking for software to:• Help students ability to reason

spatially• Word problems involving numbers• Word problems involving

geometric thinking

Math Software Evaluation Rubric~adapted from My Education Toolkit

Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet

Cost Free or Lower than Budget

Within Budget Not within Budget

Installation Can Install on the Network, or create an image

Easy to Install, clear directions

Complex to install, difficult directions to follow

Technical Support 24/7 hour online and phone support

24 hour online support

No support provided

Grade Level Language and Interface is understandable for students

Language and Interface is somewhat understandable for students

Language and Interface cannot be understood by students

Standards Aligned to Common Core Standards

Aligned with State or Other Standards

Not Aligned with any standards

Math Software Evaluation Rubric continued …

Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet

Active Learning Students are actively engaged during all components of the software

Interaction offers average active learning, some activities too passive

Interaction is passive, no active learning encouraged

Save Features Both automatically and manually, students work can be saved and restarted from the same point

Students can save their work to continue working on it in the future

Students cannot interrupt and save work

Hardware Compatibility

Works on all machines without upgrades or add-ons

Will work on most machines with minimal upgrades or add-ons

Will work on only a few machines, required additional hardware to work properly

Math Software Evaluation Rubric continued …

Features Exceeds Meets Does Not Meet

Compatible with EnoBoard

Will work on all EnoBoards without upgrades or add-ons

Will work on most EnoBoards with minimal upgrades or add-ons

Will not work with Eno Boards, requires additional hardware to work properly

Available activities, lesson plans, curriculum

Material is provided by vendor and easy to locate

Lesson plans and activities available to use with software

No teacher materials or activities provided by the vendor

Report/Analytics Ability to generate reports on students’ strengths and areas of needed growth

Ability to generate reports on student progress

No reporting ability

Geometer’s Sketchpad vs. Features Geometer’s

SketchpadMath Success Deluxe

Cost Exceeds ($4.50 p/student)

Exceeds ($12 p/student)

Installation Exceeds MeetsTechnical Support Exceeds ExceedsGrade Level Exceeds ExceedsStandards Exceeds ExceedsActive Learning Exceeds Does Not MeetSave Features Exceeds ExceedsHardware Compatibility Exceeds ExceedsCompatible with Eno Board Does Not Meet Does Not MeetAvailable activities, lesson plans, curriculum

Exceeds Meets

Report/Analytics Does Not Meet Does Not Meet

Geometer’s Sketchpad vs. Math Success

Geometer’s Sketchpad• Compatible with iPads

• Comes with curriculum

• Online tutorials

• Sketch Exchange – online help community

• Works with SMART Board, not sure about Eno Boards

Math Success• Emphasis on geometry

• Aligned with Common Core Standards

• Access to Tutor.com for additional help

• Not very interactive

Recommendations

• Geometer’s Sketchpad• Mac and iPad compatible• More interactive, engaging• Curriculum available• Aligned to Common Core

Standards• Within budget

References

Edmodo support. (2014). Retrieved from: https://support.edmodo.com/home#teacher

Magiera, J. (2013, February 24). Schoology vs. Edmodo, round 2 - also, why Schoology solved my iPad workflow woes. Retrieved from: http://www.teachinglikeits2999.com/2013/02/schoology-vs-edmodo-round-2.html.

Ritter, M. (2013, July 23). 10 reasons I prefer Schoology over Edmodo. Retrieved from: http://talktechwithme.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/10-reasons-i-prefer-schoology-over-edmodo/

Smaldino S., Lowther, D., & Russell, J. (2008) Instructional technology and media for learning. (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

The Geometer’s Sketchpad. (2104). Retrieved from: http://www.keycurriculum.com/

Top Ten Reviews. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.toptenreviews.com/pdfdocs/prod_110.pdf