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Math Software and App Evaluation Form

Send Us Your Favorite
Math Software and App Titles

 

Here's your chance to recommend the best math software and apps you use in your instruction and/or for standardized test preparation.  You can:

  1. CT4ME Mail GifSend us an email with your favorite math software or math app title, website URL where it can be found, and the publisher.  Include a few words on why you really like the software or app.

  2. Or, use this form to evaluate math software and apps of your choice.  When you hit "Submit" you will see a "Confirmation" page with your responses.  If submitted correctly, your responses will be emailed to CT4ME.  You might wish to copy/paste your responses shown on the confirmation page into a word-processing file for your records.

Request: Use the form only to recommend math software and math apps.

Privacy Policy:  Your name and contact information will not be used, if we post information about your math software and apps recommendations on CT4ME.  We appreciate your views and your privacy in our quest to help math teachers everywhere.

Note: If you are using or selecting software or an app, the National Center on Improving Literacy (2018) includes information and resources about evidence-based interventions per the Elementary and Secondary Education Act:

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), emphasizes the use of evidence-based activities, strategies, and interventions.  Section 8101(21A) of the ESEA defines an evidence-based project component as being supported by four possible levels of evidence - strong evidence, moderate evidence, promising evidence, or evidence that demonstrates a rationale.

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Math Software/App Evaluation Form

 

Part I: Please complete at least part I.  Part II will provide a more thorough evaluation.

Your name (*required):

Your email address (*required):

Math Software or App title (*required):

Website URL where software or app can be found (*required):

Version year:

Cost:

Computing device(s) on which the software or app will run:

Publisher:

Brief description:

 

  1. For which grade levels is the math software/app appropriate? Check all that apply.
      preK-2
      3-5
      6-8
      9-12
      post-secondary

  2. Which math standards does the software/app address?  Check all that apply.
      Number and Quantity
      Measurement
      Statistics (including data analysis) and probability
      Algebra
      Functions
      Geometry and spatial sense
      Modeling

  3. Which level(s) of practice and/or assessment questions are addressed in the math software/app?  Check all that apply.
      Knowledge and basic skills
      Conceptual understanding
      Real-life application and problem solving
      There are no practice and/or assessment questions included.

  4. Which of the following best classifies the content type of the software/app?
      Tutorial: The software/app introduces math concepts and then provides practice, assessing learners as they progress.
      Skill-Building/Drill & Practice: Unlike tutorials, these programs assume learners have some prior knowledge.
      Comprehensive Courseware
      Problem-Solving
      Stand-alone Simulation & Visualization
      Educational or Serious Game
      Test Prep

    If you use the software/app to prepare students for a standardized test, please enter the name of the test:

  5. To which standards is the software/app correlated?
      Common Core Math Standards
      NCTM Math Standards
      State math standards.  If correlated to state standards, list the state name(s):

      No correlation information is available.

  6. Please write a couple of sentences about why you recommend this math software/app.

 

Part II.  We would appreciate a more thorough evaluation of the math software/app you are recommending.  Please complete the following survey about its instructional, assessment, and technical merit.

  1. What are the instructional features of the math software/app?  Check all that apply.

      Research has been conducted to test the effectiveness of the software/app for raising achievement.

      The content of the software/app is mathematically accurate.

      The software/app has stated learning objectives that are adhered to.

      The software/app is engaging and motivating to students.

      Students use multiple representations (e.g., graphs, tables, equations, calculators) to develop skills and conceptual understanding of topics in the software/app.

      The software/app allows for individualized instruction.

      The software/app provides accommodations for English language learners.

      The software/app provides appropriate support for students with learning disabilities.

      The software/app provides appropriate text to speech support for students who need or desire to use the feature.

      The software/app suggests paths to improve and can automatically adjust for student needs.

      The software/app has more than one entry level.

      The software/app has more than one difficulty level.

      The software/app provides clear examples of skills that it is designed to develop.

      The software/app provides some repetition to assist in retention.

      Supplemental activities to use with learners (online and/or offline) are included to support learning.

      Students can review and change answers in assessments before software/app grades assessments.

  2. Which types of assessments are included in the software/app?  Check all that apply.
      Multiple choice
      True-False
      Constructed response
      Performance tasks
      An initial diagnostic assessment for placement in the software/app
      Periodic formative assessments to measure progress
      Summative assessments to determine mastery
      No assessments are included.

  3. What are the technical features of the math software/app?  Check all that apply.

      A teacher management system permits teachers to modify the software/app to individualize instruction.

      A teacher management system permits teachers to keep track of student progress.

      A teacher management system permits teachers to identify students' areas of weakness and strength.

      A teacher management system permits teachers to generate progress reports.

      The software/app uses intelligent adaptive learning technology.

      Data can be saved, so that if students are not finished with a lesson, they do not have to begin again.

      There is an extensive database of problems, so that students encounter a different set of problems upon repeated use of the software/app.

      The software/app accommodates more than one solution method.

      Feedback is tutorial in nature.  It does more than indicate if responses are right or wrong.

      Navigation icons are well designed.  They are easily interpreted for what they mean and appropriate in size for the users.

      The software/app contains multimedia features (combines text with a combination of video, audio, graphics, and interactivity).

      Help and audio features are under user control.

      Parental controls are included in the app/software to minimize visual distractions such as ads, pop-ups, child-initiated in-app purchases, external links.

      The software/app is intuitive.  Learners can use it with little or no training.

      The software/app has a security system so that student errors or intentional attempts to disrupt its operation do not disrupt the software/app.

      There is a terms of service agreement for the software/app that ensures strong privacy and data security to protect students.

      The software/app vendor provides professional development and ongoing technical and instructional support for using the product.

    4. Note: For a sample of terms of service, see: Protecting Student Privacy While Using Online Educational Services: Model Terms of Service from the U.S. Department of Education.

  4. How would you rate the overall quality of the math software/app?
      Excellent
      Good
      Fair
      Poor
      Fails

  5. How would you rate the overall cost of the math software/app in relation to the value it brings to instruction?
      Excellent value for the price
      Good value for the price
      Fair value for the price
      Poor value for the price

 

Friendly reminder Gif

If you opt to purchase or download the software/app check your school's internet safety and digital media use policy to ensure that the use of the app in your classroom will be in compliance with it.

 

Before you hit the "Submit" button below, correctly answer the question:
What is 9+3?

 

 

Additional Questions to Consider When Selecting an Ed Tech Tool

Reed Dickson (2022, May 12) provided 14 Equity Considerations for Ed Tech posted in Campus Technology.  They are grouped into four categories: Tech Equity, Accessibility Equity, Experiential Equity, and Identity Equity.  Ask those questions when considering the pedagogical experience of an e-learning tool, or any ed tech tool, to ensure the best experience for all learners.

Reference

National Center on Improving Literacy. (2018). What do we mean by evidence-based?. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Office of Special Education Programs, National Center on Improving Literacy. https://improvingliteracy.org/brief/what-do-we-mean-evidence-based

 

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