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David Rauschkolb |
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EDTC sect 003 |
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Bethann Fine |
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Selecting software for your class or school is an opportunity for you to participate in the choice of technological teaching resources. Remember that software is merely one of many tools in your educational resource kit. Consider the task of software selection as you would textbook selection: know your educational needs and then trust your instincts. |
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To assure successful software selection, you might follow the steps in the checklist below. Depending on the scope of your task--whether recommending an administrative system for the school or selecting appropriate clip art for a graphics class--you may not need to take each step.
Define Your Purpose �
Know How Much Money is Available for Software �
Form a Software Review Team - you�ll want input from the users (students, teachers, administrators, etc.), the system manager, and technical support
Develop a Functional Requirements List - distinguish required from desired features.
Develop an Interface Requirements List - The interface is the look and feel of the software, includes: screen presentation, visual effects, feedback mechanisms (audio cues, pop-up windows), remediation (help screens), mode of interaction (keyboard, joystick, microphone, mouse). create an evaluation matrix.
Survey the Marketplace �
Refine Your Requirements - Additional features - tweak your matrix.
Try Before You Buy - request a full-blown demonstration copy of the software. Be careful to ask for full copies, not a subset of the total functionality.
Some Extras are Essential - Don't overlook the importance of training and support services. Many vendors offer annual maintenance contracts for support and upgrades. These are generally worth the money. And unless you are purchasing familiar software, it pays to purchase available training also. |
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Build or Buy - If the best product you can find still reequires 20-30% modification in order to meet your needs, you should consider custom development. Be advised, however, that development efforts often take longer and cost more than projected. |
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Making the Decision - the evaluation matrix, industry reviews, and team's testing and general impressions. |
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Technology is in a constant state of change.
It's the application that matters, not the tool. |
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The software that you select today will invariably be upgraded, enhanced, or preempted by another product at some point in the future. |
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