The Graph Club

A Software Evaluation of The Graph Club



Name of Software: The Graph Club
Publisher: Richard Abrams
Format: Cd-rom; MAC
Reviewer: Jenn McDonald

General Description:
    This program is designed to teach about the different types of graphs and also how to create them.

What are the overall objectives of the software?
    The overall objectives of the program are to learn to read graphs, analyze data, learn to construct graphs and to use graphs to solve problems.

Does the application give a general overview of the subject or are specific skills targeted?
    The application gives a general overview of graphs as a whole but also targets specific graphs such as tables, picture, bar, line and pie graphs.

What do you, as a teacher, want to be able to do with the program? Are these needs met by the program?
    As a teacher I would show children what each graph is (explain the different types of graphs-pie, line, bar, picture and table). Then I would make a graph with the children in a group and finally, I would have them make their own. Therefore, I think these needs are met by the program.

How flexible is the program? Does the user need to follow certain steps to proceed or can the user move at his or her own pace?
    The program is flexible. You can move at your own pace and skip the introduction which is a small storyline.

Does the program have features that can be modified by the user? By the teacher? If so, what features?
    The program does have features that can be modified by the user starting with the introduction of two languages. Also, there are pictures as well as narration so both the visually and hearing impaired can benefit from this program.

What methods does the program utilize to reach multiple intelligences of users?
    This program allows students to use graphs based on their ability. For example, for younger students teachers could concentrate on picture graphs and for older students, teachers could concentrate more on pie or line graphs.

What methods does the software use to engage the user, or keep the users interest? How successful are these methods?
    The software has a colorful story at the beginning which is useful to engage younger children. Also, there are many different symbols to construct your own graphs and lots of colors as well.

What do you like about the application?
     I like how there are so many different symbols to create your own graphs. I also think the application is effective because of the five different types of graphs they display. The storyline is an added touch because it is a short introduction and I think it gets the students attention.

What do you dislike about the application?
    There wasn't much about the application that I didnt like except that I didnt really understand what the guess choice was for. Then I pushed the "?" and it said what do you think this graph could mean?. I thought that question was a little ambiguous.

Are there any biases? (gender, racial, etc.)
    I didn't notice any biases within the program.

Rate the following (1=best; 5=worst):
    Ease of use: 1
    Flexibility of Features: 1
    Ability of Application: 1
    Interesting: 1
    Recommend: 1

Lesson Plan for The Graph Club:

Grade Level: 3
Time Allotted: 45 minutes
Groupings: individuals

Any Strategies:
    First, pick a topic (i.e.. hair color, eye color). Then collect data as an entire class. Next, send children to make a graph with the program individually and then have them come back and present their graph and why they chose to make it the way they did (i.e.. why they chose a bar graph vs. a picture graph).

# of Computers: 30
 
 
 

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