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.