Software Evaluation Form

Date Evaluated: 7/26/08

Evaluated By: Andrina Giusti
Software Title: Tux Paint
Publisher: John Poppelwell
Age
Range/Grade 2-4th
Level:
Copyright: 2002-1008
Platforms: Macintosh
Hardware Used: Laptop/Desktop

RANKING SCORES: ALWAYS (2), SOMETIMES (1), and

NEVER (0)
1. Instructional/Educational Value

Score Criteria
2 The software will meet educational and curriculum objectives.
2 There is sufficient amount of content.
The software is consistent with sound teaching principles, learning,
2
and cognition.
2 The software provides the use of higher order thinking skills.
2 The content is free of gender, ethnic, and religious biases.
The software offers simple, precise directions accompanied by
2
graphics and sound.
2 The software responds to the learner's own rate of learning.
The graphics do not detract from the program's educational
2
intentions.
2 Feedback reinforces content (embedded reinforcements are used).
The program will grow with the child and offers a good challenge
2
range.
 The software offers a good presentation of one or more content
2
areas.
2 The presentation is unique with each use.
2 A student's ideas can be incorporated into the program.
26 TOTAL

2. Entertainment Value

Score Criteria
2 The program is enjoyable for the student to use.
2 Graphics are meaningful and enjoyed by students.
2 The program is appealing to a wide audience.
2 Challenge is fluid, or a student can select own level.
1 Students return to this program time after time.
1 The theme of the program is enjoyable and meaningful to students.
1 The software is responsive to the student's actions.
The speech and sound provided by the program are meaningful to
2
students
13 TOTAL

3. Ease of Use

Score Criteria
1 Students can use the program independently after the first use.
The skills to operate the program are in the developmental range
2
for the student.
2 Reading ability is not prerequisite to using the program.
Provides good navigation by implementing easy to select menus
2
and icons.
1 Graphics make sense to the student.
Software is easy for the teacher to understand how to apply the
2
program effectively.
 The Printing and Saving options are simple to use and are icon
1
based.
1 It is easy for the student to access and exit activities at any point.
1 The student can easily un-do his or her last move.
1 The student can understand and can easily install the software.
2 The accompanied manuals can be easily understood by the student.
2 The program provides on-screen help and on-screen instructions.
2 The icons presented are large and easily selected.
1 Students know if they have made a mistake.
21 TOTAL

4. Design Features

Score Criteria
2 The program has speech capacity.
2 The program has the capacity to print all relevant items.
2 The software keeps a record of the student's work and progress.
2 The software keeps a history of the student's use over a period of time.
2 The software can easily record the history and progress of the entire class.
2 Student's ideas can be incorporated into the program.
2 "Branches" automatically: challenge level is fluid.
2 The software is free of violence, violent characters, and racial or cultural bias.
2 The design contains uncluttered realistic graphics.
2 The software runs quickly and operates consistently without freezing.
2 Are appropriate hardware capabilities utilized (keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.)
2 Sound can be adjusted or muted.
2 Teacher/parent evaluation options are easy to find and use.
26 TOTAL

5. Design Features
Score Criteria
The price of the software is congruent with other similar software
1
packages.
The software does not require the purchasing of additional
1
hardware.
1 The software does not require extensive teacher training.
The software can be applied to a wide range of topics/content
1
areas.
The software can be easily used over a network and/or a desktop
1
computer.
1 The software is up gradable.
12 TOTAL

6. Package Integrity

Score Criteria
The packaging clearly states the educational objectives of the
2
software.
The package clearly states the age appropriateness for the
2
software.
The package shows several true screen shots of the software's
1
environment.
The package gives the system requirements to properly run the
1
software.
The software package clearly states the learning skills addressed
2
by the software.
The software offers a 30-day money back guarantee for unsatisfied
2
customers.
10 TOTAL

Total Score for All Evaluation Components:

Section Score
Instructional/Educational
26
Value
Entertainment 13
Ease of Use 21
Design Features 26
Value 12
Package Integrity 10
FINAL TOTAL 108

Out of a highest score of 120 and a lowest score of 0 the following

Rankings are created:

SCORE RANKING
97 to 120 Excellent
73 to 96 Good
49 to 72 Average
25 to 48 Below Average
0 to 24 Unacceptable