One Step Further (ICT Integration)

ICT resources for science teachers

Trying out science software

There is a wide range of educational software avalaible for science teachers. Some of this software is educationally sound, but at times the software is not well-designed. It would not be possible to gain a full understanding of educational software in one workshop, but you will be able to consider the main evaluation criteria using the evaluation tool provided as you learn more about the various science software that you could use.

By the end of this activity you could achieve the following outcomes:

- Install and use science educational software
- Evaluate science educational software
- Identify ways in which the learners could use the software most effectively

2 hours

Follow these steps to complete these activities. Look for contexts that are meaningful to you in your classroom. You could search for and download science software or use science software that is already installed on your computer.

	Description	Resources
1	If necessary, download freeware or shareware software of your choice and install it. Alternatively, identify educational software that is already installed on your computer. (15 - 30 min) Ensure that you understand what basic educational software category. Read the resource file to guide you. Knowing what category the software falls into will influence which guidelines you will use in the next step of this activity.	» Click here to read about educational software and categories » Click here for a list of science software demonstrations
2	Work in pairs (45-60 min) Using the guidelines as appropriate for evaluation to assist you, explore and evaluate the educational software that you selected. Identify and list the principles of OBE that this software uses	» Criteria for evaluating educational software » Click here to evaluate outcomes-based principles
3	Identify and list which learning outcomes or assessment standards these resources are most likely to support.
4	Form groups of between 4-8 teachers (45-60 min) Share your educational software evaluations with your colleagues and demonstrate parts of the programme to show the best features.
5	Work on your own (between workshops) Consider how you could use the software that you evaluated in your class with learners should you have the opportunity to do so. You may like to make some points on what activities you will design for learners. In a later activity you will be asked to create a worksheet. The use of this software in class could be the topic of that worksheet.
6	Community of teachers Join the Partners in Learning Network and find a community of teachers online.	» Go to the Partners in Learning Network

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