The Librarian's Internet: Kids' Picks: Click Here
Visit these sites for children's software reviews, exclusive to the Web
By Gail Junion-Metz -- School Library Journal, 9/1/2004
Review Corner—Best Educational Software
school.discovery.com/parents/reviewcorner/software
This worthwhile site offers detailed, well-written software reviews arranged alphabetically, also by brand, age group (ages 1–9+), and subject category. Each review includes a product overview, zero-to-five-star rating, dollar value, and technical specs, as well as an assessment of educational content. Created by: Discoveryschool.com. Don't Miss: The "How We Rate Products" link provides insight into the reviewers' evaluation process.
clrn.org/search
This site features brief but useful reviews, which are searchable by title, grade, subject, and instructional mode (reference, simulation, etc.), among other categories. Created by: The California Learning Resource Network. Don't Miss: If you are a California educator, be sure to use the Content Standards search. It will help you locate software that corresponds to state standards in each grade and subject—very cool! (Other states would do well to emulate this site.)Superkids-Educational Software Review
www.superkids.com
Looking for more extensive software reviews? This Web-only source offers longer reviews for kids ages 3–18, written by parents and educators. In addition to a summary and tech specs, each piece includes an assessment of the product's educational value, kid appeal, and ease of use. However, reviews are not dated and don't supply the software's date of publication. Created by: Superkids. Software Reviews
www.kidsdomain.com/reviews/index.html
Here you'll find reviews of software for kids ages 3–16 created by the staff of KidsDomain and volunteer parent and teacher reviewers. Individual reviews provide handy tips and define the special features and pros and cons of the product. However, the review and publication dates are omitted. Don't Miss: KidsDomain is looking for software reviewers. Those interested should click on the red "Call for Reviewers" link at the bottom of the page.Software Evaluation Form
cnets.iste.org/teachers/pdf/App_D_Software.pdf
Rather than relying on the opinions of others, how about evaluating some software yourself? Written for teachers and complete with four pages of instructions, this two-page form is all you'll need. It's derived from the publication "Preparing Teachers to Use Technology," which is also available online (cnets.iste.org/teachers/t_book.html). Created by: The International Society for Technology in Education–National Educational Technology Standards Project. Plug-ins: Adobe Acrobat reader. Detour: For another good evaluation form, visit kathyschrock.net/1computer/page4.htm (a PDF version is also available).
