JumpStart

Software Title and Publisher (provide vendor information, URL link) JumpStart http://www.jumpstart.com/default.aspx 

Price: individual or volume licensing information Teacher Edition (2)$60;

Lab Pack (5) $125

6+ Licenses* $20 (each)

Network (Unlimited) $700

Media CD $20

*Media CD required when 6+ licenses purchased

Note the type of software.

Note the target content area. Math, Reading and Social Studies.

Note any learning standards alignment. The game is aligned with NYS standards in the area of math, reading and social studies bases on the grade level and material covered.

What kind of documentation or online help (tutorial) is available? How user friendly is the software for the target audience? There is an online tutorial and a help link that includes FAQ, game guide and game manual.  The game is  catered to the targeted audience and uses language that is easily understood by the user.

Note computer requirements and the Operating System compatibility.

• For both PC and Mac, the game requires:

  • 1.5Mbps broadband connection
  • 1GB system memory
  • 64MB video memory
  • 1 GB available on hard drive
  • At least 40MB of browser cache available
  • In addition, on a Mac, the game requires OS X 10.3.9 or newer

What are the system requirements for the downloadable games?

• For PC only. Windows® System Requirements:

  • Windows® XP, Windows Vista™
  • Pentium® III (or equivalent) 1 GHz or faster
  • 3D video card with 32 MB dedicated memory w/DirectX® 9.0c-compatible driver
  • 256 MB dedicated RAM (512 MB recommended), 1 GB RAM for Windows Vista™
  • 24x CD-ROM drive
  • 1.4 GB available on hard drive
  • 16-bit color
  • 800x600 screen resolution
  • DirectX® 9.0c-compatible sound card
  • DirectX® 9.0c (included with install)
  • QuickTime® 7.1 (included with install)
  • Windows Media® Player 10 (included with install)
  • Broadband Internet Connection

Look for additional available resources that might supplement the software. Does it come packaged with lesson ideas? Are online resources available? Yes, there are lesson plans and a curriculum guide that is included with the software.  You can also download worksheets to supplement the software.  There are a lot of resources and I would recommend checking out the website for a complete list.

Share an idea or two about how you might use the software in your classroom. How might you integrate the software application? This software can accompany and aid in the classroom in many ways.  A teacher could use the software to get out of the rut of textbook and worksheets and to check for understanding you can print off one of the worksheets that accompanies the game the students are working on.

Stack the States

Software Title and Publisher (provide vendor information, URL link) Stack the States was created by Dan Russell-Pinson and it is an app from Itunes.

Price: individual or volume licensing information The price for the app is 0.99 cents

Note the type of software. Educational

Note the target content area. Social Studies

Note any learning standards alignment. This app aligns with NYS Social Studies Standard 3, Geography, and NYS Technology Standard 5.

What kind of documentation or online help (tutorial) is available? How user friendly is the software for the target audience? There is no tutorial on the app.  However, the software is very user friendly.  The concept of the game is very easy and students love to play the game.

Note computer requirements and the Operating System compatibility.

Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later

Look for additional available resources that might supplement the software. Does it come packaged with lesson ideas? Are online resources available? It does not come packaged with any ideas because it is an app. The main feature is the stacking game which tests your knowledge about the states. Each correct answer awards you with that particular state to drop within the level. Drop and place the states to reach a certain height to win! You do have to consider the physics behind the stacking as well! There are 3 other bonus games to be unlocked: Pile Up (remove all of the states before they pile up to the top of the screen), Puzzler (move the displayed state shapes around and put them together like a jigsaw puzzle) and Capital Drop (match the states with their capitals).

Share an idea or two about how you might use the software in your classroom. How might you integrate the software application? This game could be used in any classroom to help students learn about the states and capitals.  I know in 5th at the district where I work students need to know states and capitals of all 50 states and this app comes in handy.  The students can play at any free time and during review time in class. 

Inspiration

Software Title and Publisher (provide vendor information, URL link) Inspiration http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration

Price: individual or volume licensing information There are different prices for the software depending on the number of licenses  you want to buy.  For 1 computer it is $69.00, 5 computers is $310.00, 10 computers is $550.00 and for 20 computers it is $895.00

Note the type of software. This software is Word Processors & Desktop Publishing and Multimedia and Presentation.  It offers a number of different options for writing and presentations.

Note the target content area. The target content are would be language arts.

Note any learning standards alignment. Common core standards alignment can be found at

http://www.inspiration.com/Standards-Matches/Inspiration

What kind of documentation or online help (tutorial) is available? How user friendly is the software for the target audience? There is a lot of online help available and tutorial videos.  This software is designed for grades 6-12 and it is a great piece of software.  It does so much and it is easy to follow along with.

Note computer requirements and the Operating System compatibility.

Windows^®
Pentium III 450 MHz or higher
Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP (including Tablet PC Edition), Vista or Windows 7

256 MB RAM
250 MB available hard drive
Recommended:

• Internet connection*
• QuickTime^®

Optional:

• Interactive electronic whiteboard
• Microphone
  

Macintosh^® Power PC G4 700 MHz or higher
OS X 10.3 or higher
512 MB RAM
250 MB available hard drive space
Recommended:

• Internet connection*

Optional:

• Interactive electronic whiteboard
• Microphone

 

Look for additional available resources that might supplement the software. Does it come packaged with lesson ideas? Are online resources available? The software comes with lesson plans and even a way to help learners with special needs.  This software has a lot of resources available online. The best thing to do would be to check out there website because there is so much that is offered with this software.

Share an idea or two about how you might use the software in your classroom. How might you integrate the software application? This software could be used to do a presentation on an historical figure.  You could start off by using the outline tool to organize the information you want in your presentation and continue to use the software to complete the presentation.  The possibilities are endless and this software can be used in any subject area.  This can be easily integrated into the curriculum.

First In Math

Software Title and Publisher (provide vendor information, URL link) First In Math by Suntex

http://www.firstinmath.com/visitor/visitor-aboutus.asp 

Price: individual or volume licensing information Single Student price is $8.00

Volume discounts as follows:

1 - 249 IDs = $8.00 ea.; 250 - 499 IDs = $7.75 ea.; 500 - 999 IDs = $7.50 ea.; 1,000 - 2,499 IDs = $7.25 ea.; 2,500 - 4,999 IDs = $7.00 ea.; 5,000 - 9,999 IDs = $6.75 ea.; 10,000 - 24,999 IDs = $6.50 ea.; 25,000 - 49,999 IDs = $6.25 ea.; 50,000 and up IDs = $6.00 ea.

Note the type of software. Mathematical Device

Note the target content area. Math

Note any learning standards alignment. This software aligns with the following content strands in the area of math; numbers and operation, algebra, geometry and measurements, and data analysis and probability. Check out their page to see how the program aligns with each content strand.

What kind of documentation or online help (tutorial) is available? How user friendly is the software for the target audience? There is a 4 minute tutorial on the product and there are different pages where you can find information/troubleshoot if necessary.  I was just introduced to this software and it seems very user friendly.  The students seem to understand what is required of them.

Note computer requirements and the Operating System compatibility.

PC Operating Systems:

WINDOWS - all versions:
1. Newest version of Flash Player - version 9 or higher required (version 10 or higher recommended)
2. Will function with: Firefox 3.0 or higher; Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher; Safari 3.0 or higher or Google Chrome.
3. Cookies: Always allow.
4. JavaScript must be enabled.
5. Browser preferences should be set to always load new pages (no page caching)
6. Make sure FIM is a “Trusted Site” in IE (Tools>Internet Options>Security>Trusted Sites>Sites-then add http://www.firstinmath.com)

Macintosh Operating Systems*:

OSX:
1. Newest version of Flash Player - version 9 or higher required (version 10 or higher recommended)
2. Will function with: Safari 3.0 or higher, Firefox 3.0 or higher or Google Chrome
3. Cookies: Always allow (never ask)
4. JavaScript must be enabled
5. Preferences should be set to always load new pages

* Mac OS 8.6/9.2 not recommended - support discontinued by Adobe. May function with some Games supporting Adobe Flash Player 7 or Lower.

Look for additional available resources that might supplement the software. Does it come packaged with lesson ideas? Are online resources available? I did not see anything on lessons but it does come with a pretest/posttest.  It also comes with Three KNOW & SHOW modules provide a unique way for students to experience the type of problems found in standardized tests.

Share an idea or two about how you might use the software in your classroom. How might you integrate the software application? This software could be implemented at anytime in the classroom.  It has a variety of activities and can be used with whatever operation/area of math that is being covered.  I can see this software fitting anywheres into the curriculum at any point.

Kidspiration

Software Title and Publisher (provide vendor information, URL link) Kidspiration by Inspiration

http://www.inspiration.com/videos/Kidspiration 

Price: individual or volume licensing information $69.00 for single use, $310 for 5 users, $895 for 20 users. For educational purchases you must contact the dealer.

Note the type of software. Word Processors & Desktop Publishing, Multimedia and Presentation and Mathematical Devices

Note the target content area. Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies

Note any learning standards alignment. The standards alignment can be found on their web page at the following address: http://www.inspiration.com/Standards-Matches/Kidspiration 

What kind of documentation or online help (tutorial) is available? How user friendly is the software for the target audience? There are numerous tutorials available online.  They have videos and webinars.  The software is very user friendly for the targeted area. It has step-by-step instructions and has many features that can assist a variety of learners.

Note computer requirements and the Operating System compatibility.

Windows^®
Pentium II 266 MHz or faster

Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP (including Tablet PC Edition), Vista or Windows 7

128 MB minimum RAM

800x600 (minimum); 1024 X 768 (recommended)

16-bit color or higher

75 MB minimum install

250 MB full install CD-ROM drive (for installation only)

Optional:

• Windows compatible printer
• Internet browser*
• Sound card and speakers
• Microphone
• Interactive electronic whiteboard

Macintosh^®
Macintosh G3 300 MHz or faster

OS X, version 10.2.8 or newer (Snow Leopard compatible)

192 MB minimum RAM 800x600 (minimum)

1024 X 768 (recommended)

Thousands of colors or higher

75 MB minimum install

250 MB full install CD-ROM drive (for installation only)

Optional:

• Macintosh compatible printer
• Internet browser*
• Microphone
• Interactive electronic whiteboard

Look for additional available resources that might supplement the software. Does it come packaged with lesson ideas? Are online resources available? It does come with lesson plans and online resources are available. There are examples of lesson plans and when you purchase the software you have access to all the lesson plans. They have technical support and a learning community available online.

Share an idea or two about how you might use the software in your classroom. How might you integrate the software application? There are many uses for this software in the classroom but some uses are; "strengthen word recognition, vocabulary and comprehension; visual math tools to build problem-solving and reasoning skills by developing a conceptual understanding of mathematical procedures; explore relationships between concepts and illustrate basic scientific processes; visually explore and understand history, geography, civics and economics."

Timez Attack

Software Title and Publisher (provide vendor information, URL link) Timez Attack from www.bigbrainz.com

http://www.bigbrainz.com/index.php?PARTNER=pkg

Price: individual or volume licensing information You can download a free version with limited levels or buy the deluxe version for $249-$795.

Note the type of software. Mathematical Devices

Note the target content area. Math

Note any learning standards alignment. Math Standard 3:Students will understnad the concepts of and become proficient with the skills of mathematics.
NETS 1-Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

What kind of documentation or online help (tutorial) is available? How user friendly is the software for the target audience? There are online tutorials to help with setup and overview of the game.  I have used this game with kids in 4th and 5th grade and they love it.  They liked that it was an adventure game and could defeat the monster with the use of answering multiplication problems.

Note computer requirements and the Operating System compatibility.

1. MINIMUM System Requirements for Timez Attack

Operating System	Vista, XP, Windows 7, OS X 10.4.11+
Processor	1.0 Ghz
Memory	256 MB
DirectX	9.0c--click to download
Graphics Card	32+ MB with latest driver:

Look for additional available resources that might supplement the software. Does it come packaged with lesson ideas? Are online resources available? I did not find any additional resources from the site that would supplement this software.  It does not come packaged with lesson ideas or other resources.  There is a progress chart that can be used for the class and/or individual.

Share an idea or two about how you might use the software in your classroom. How might you integrate the software application? This software can be used to help reinforce multiplication facts.  It is a fun and interactive way for kids to learn.  I would use this to accompany the main lesson on multipilcation or use it as a stand alone activity to review the facts.

Expert Space

Software Title and Publisher (provide vendor information, URL link) Expert Space from Scholastic

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/digital_curriculum/expertspace/index.htm 

Price: individual or volume licensing information There is a free trial available for download.  There was no price listed for the software but there was information to obtain the program through Title 1, IDEA and Enhancing Education Through Technology

Note the type of software. Simulation

Note the target content area. Science and Social Studies grade 4-12

Note any learning standards alignment. The standards are aligned and included in the lessons.

What kind of documentation or online help (tutorial) is available? How user friendly is the software for the target audience?

Note computer requirements and the Operating System compatibility.

Recommended for PC

Processor: Pentium II with 128 MB of RAM;

OS: Windows® 2000 or Windows XP operating system;

Browsers: Internet Explorer 6.0 and higher or Firefox® 2.0 and higher;

Monitor: 15-inch minimum; 1024 x 768 resolution set at for best viewing;high 16-bit colors or higher.

Recommended for Macintosh®:

Computer: PowerMac or higher;

OS: 9.x, 10.x, or better;

Browser: Safari® 3.0 or higher, or Firefox 2.0 or higher;

Monitor: 15-inch minimum; 1024 x 768 resolution with thousands of colors selected.

Look for additional available resources that might supplement the software. Does it come packaged with lesson ideas? Are online resources available? The software does come packaged with lesson ideas that are aligned with state standards.  Online resources are available for teachers.  The software is also designed to accommodate the different reading levels of the students.

Share an idea or two about how you might use the software in your classroom. How might you integrate the software application? This program would be great to integrate into the classroom because there are so many different ways to use it.  The software could be used during a unit on space.  It also helps students plan, manage, and complete projects and assignments.