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ERIC Number: ED393009
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1995-Nov
Pages: 51
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Making the Right Choice: Evaluating Computer Software and Hardware for Adult Literacy Instruction. Practice Guide.
Hopey, Christopher E.; And Others
Selecting hardware and software for adult literacy instruction is a complicated task requiring careful attention to the integration of various computer models, software packages, and instructional objectives. Decisions surrounding the acquisition and maintenance of technology are further complicated by limited funding, expertise, information, and equipment. This guide is designed to help educators select appropriate technology for their adult literacy programs. It outlines a process for evaluating and selecting software and hardware, provides information regarding appropriate software titles, presents examples of software evaluation criteria, and highlights purchasing practices that can make scarce technology dollars go further. The nine steps of the technology evaluation process include the following: (1) identify software titles; (2) determine the hardware requirements of each piece of candidate software; (3) create an inventory of existing hardware; (4) obtain software preview copies; (5) determine evaluation criteria and conduct software evaluations; (6) determine how students will use the software and explore ways teachers can integrate the software into instruction; (7) compare existing hardware with the hardware requirements for each piece of candidate software; (8) determine the cost of software and hardware for each of the candidate packages; and (9) select a software package and its associated hardware. Four appendixes include software requirements and hardware inventory worksheets, a selected list of software publishers, a student evaluation of software form, and a software evaluation worksheet. (Contains 18 references.) (KC)
National Center on Adult Literacy, University of Pennsylvania, Publications, 3910 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3111 (order no. PG95-04).
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: National Center on Adult Literacy, Philadelphia, PA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A