Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mainero
IT
6140
Wayne
State
University
20
September
2015
SAT VOCAB
See Appendix B
ISTE STANDARDS
ISTE6: Technology operations: Students
demonstrate a sound understanding of technology
EVALUATION OF ADAPTABILITY
Worlds Worst Pet offers a wide range of reading
levels and grade levels. The app can adapt to
students current and future learning needs. It also
offers Spanish cognates to aid ELL learners.
Struggling and advanced learners can both benefit
from this educational software. The app will read
words to students throughout gameplay.
OVERALL
RECOMMENDATION
After reviewing several aspects of both educational software applications, the better app would be
Worlds Worst Pet. Its adaptability and learner-centered approach outshines SAT Vocab. Worlds
Worst Pet scored a 28.5/32 on the qualitative rating, while SAT Vocab scored a 23.6. The
recommendation from the Parents Choice Foundations shows that it is an effective app for
developing reading comprehension and vocabulary retention. Because of its engaging gameboard
design, students are excited to practice and enhance their vocabulary skills as they travel with the
Worlds Worst Pet to uncover new words. The large range of reading level and grade levels
available in the game help to make it a great tool for differentiated instruction. Because the program
monitors students progress, learners can see when a level is no longer challenging and move on to
the next reading level. Another great aspect of this app is flexibly. Worlds Worst Pet can be
incorporated into classroom activity centers, individual or small-group practice, or as homework.
Sources
App Safari Review. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sat-vocab-bymindsnacks/id494140836?mt=8
Bindel, A. SAT Vocab Review. Retrieved from https://www.graphite.org/app/sat-vocabmindsnacks#more
Instructional Content
Support
Technical Specs
No positive review
from credible
sources
Does not monitor or
record students
progress or time on
task
Offers no help
assistance during
gameplay
Program provides
zero additional
resources to help
improve skills
User finds the
installation process
to be filled with
errors and conflicts
Audio is unclear
Software receives
no updates
Needs Improvement-2
Little instructional
content
Some aspects align
with district
curriculum
Some aspects align
with CCSS
Objectives are
somewhat easy to
follow
Aspects of the
instructional
information are
current and accurate
Very few positive
reviews from
credible sources
Monitors or records
students progress or
time on task
Very little
assistance available
during gameplay
Program provides
very little additional
sources to help
improve skills
Software can be
used on 1 device
User finds
installation process
to be hard
Audio is somewhat
clear
Software is
somewhat updated
Good-3
There is a descent
amount of content
Majority of content
aligns with district
curriculum
Majority of content
aligns with CCSS
Objectives are clear
Information is
current and accurate
Some positive
reviews from
credible sources
Monitors or records
students progress
and time on task
Aspects of help
menu available in
gameplay
Program provides
student with a few
additional recourses
to help improve
skills
Software can be
used on 2 devices
User is somewhat
able to install
software with ease
Audio is clear
Software receives
updates
Excellent-4
There is a
significant amount
of content
Aligns with district
curriculum
Aligns with CCSS
Objectives are
extremely clear
Information is
extremely current
and accurate
Positive reviews
from credible
sources
Monitors and
records students
progress and time
on task
Help menu
available throughout
Program provides
students with
several additional
resources to help
improve skills
Software can be
used on 3 or more
devices (ie:
computer, tablet,
phone)
User is able to
install software with
ease
Audio is extremely
clear
Software is
consistently updated
to work on newer
devices
Score: 3.5
App requires students to create a
user profile to track progress and
time on task
A help tab is located in the top
corner which can be accessed at
any time throughout the game
Program provides several
extension writing tasks at the
end of each lesson to reinforce
the learned words
Score: 3.3
The app can only be used on
iPad.
Installation is quick and easy
Audio is clear and enhancing
learning tasks
Updates are made to meet the
needs of current IOS software
Engagement
Grade Level
Flexibility
Adaptability
Software is not
developed for target
grade level
Reading level is not
appropriate for
target grade level
Instructions are
unclear and difficult
to follow
User is somewhat
engaged with
software to learn
Lessons provide
little useful
feedback
Software rarely
motivates learner
Reading level is
somewhat
appropriate for
target grade level
Aspects are
somewhat
developed for target
grade level
Many instructions
are clear with
several confusing
Learner can
somewhat save at
regular intervals and
re-enter instructions
Software offers a
whole group or
small group or
individual learning
opportunities
Allows for little
differentiation
Content is
somewhat culturally
diverse
Software
incorporates a few
languages
User is engaged
with software to
learn
Lessons provide
appropriate
feedback
Software often
motivates learner to
improve skills
Reading level is
appropriate for
target grade level
Most aspects are
developed for target
grade level
Most instructions
are clear with a few
a bit confusing
User is highly
engaged with
software to learn
Lessons provide
appropriate
feedback
Highly motivates
learner to improve
skills
Score: 4
User is highly engaged through
each level of learning. Feedback
and rewards throughout the
game motivate students to think
carefully about the meaning of
each words and its relationship
to other words
Reading level is
highly appropriate
for target grade
level
Software is
developed for target
grade level
Instructions are
clear and developed
for target grade
level
Learner can save at
regular intervals and
re-enter instruction
at same point
Software offers
whole group, small
group, and
individual learning
opportunities
Allows for several
differentiation
(multiple
skills/ability levels)
Content is culturally
diverse
Software
incorporates a
variety of languages
Score: 4
The app offers a large range of
reading levels and grade levels
so it can meet the needs of
students.
Software is developed for middle
school aged students
The directions are clear and easy
to follow and appropriate for
middle school students.
Score: 3.5
The software does not offer
whole group sessions, but it can
be used for small group
instruction and individual
practice.
Learners can pause the game and
return to level when app is
reopened.
Score: 2.5
The app offers a large range of
reading levels and grade levels
so it can meet the needs of
students. It also will read words
to struggling readers.
The software incorporates
Spanish cognates to assist ELL
learners.
Content show very little cultural
diversity.
Graphics do not
enhance learning
process
Layout is not easy
to navigate
Layout is
inconsistent
Graphics somewhat
enhance learning
process and are age
appropriate
Background and
text are somewhat
easy to read
Animation
somewhat
complements
learning
Layout is somewhat
easy to navigate
Layout is somewhat
consistent
throughout
Graphics mostly
enhance learning
process and are age
appropriate
Background and
text are mostly easy
to read
Animation mostly
complements
learning
Layout is mostly
easy to navigate
Layout is mostly
consistent
throughout
Graphics enhance
learning process and
are age appropriate
Background and
text are easy to read
Animation
complements
learning
Layout is easy to
navigate
Layout is consistent
throughout
Score: 4
Graphics are clear, age
appropriate, and enhance the
learning process. Students travel
with the worlds worst pet
through mazes and puzzles as
they learn new words.
The layout is easy to navigate
and offer how-to tutorials at the
beginning of each level
While each level offer a variety
of activities it still follows a
consistent layout
Instructional Content
Support
Technical Specs
No positive review
from credible
sources
Does not monitor or
record students
progress or time on
task
Offers no help
assistance during
gameplay
Program provides
zero additional
resources to help
improve skills
User finds the
installation process
to be filled with
errors and conflicts
Audio is unclear
Software receives
no updates
Needs Improvement-2
Little instructional
content
Some aspects align
with district
curriculum
Some aspects align
with CCSS
Objectives are
somewhat easy to
follow
Aspects of the
instructional
information are
current and accurate
Very few positive
reviews from
credible sources
Monitors or records
students progress or
time on task
Very little
assistance available
during gameplay
Program provides
very little additional
sources to help
improve skills
Software can be
used on 1 device
User finds
installation process
to be hard
Audio is somewhat
clear
Software is
somewhat updated
Good-3
There is a descent
amount of content
Majority of content
aligns with district
curriculum
Majority of content
aligns with CCSS
Objectives are clear
Information is
current and accurate
Some positive
reviews from
credible sources
Monitors or records
students progress
and time on task
Aspects of help
menu available in
gameplay
Program provides
student with a few
additional recourses
to help improve
skills
Software can be
used on 2 devices
User is somewhat
able to install
software with ease
Audio is clear
Software receives
updates
Excellent-4
There is a
significant amount
of content
Aligns with district
curriculum
Aligns with CCSS
Objectives are
extremely clear
Information is
extremely current
and accurate
Positive reviews
from credible
sources
Monitors and
records students
progress and time
on task
Help menu
available throughout
Program provides
students with
several additional
resources to help
improve skills
Software can be
used on 3 or more
devices (ie:
computer, tablet,
phone)
User is able to
install software with
ease
Audio is extremely
clear
Software is
consistently updated
to work on newer
devices
Score: 3
User profiles must be created
before learner can access the
game, which will monitor and
record progress.
A help tab is located in the top
corner which can be accessed at
any time throughout the game
No learning extensions are
offered in the game. Students
can only learn through
memorization.
Score: 3.7
The app can be used on iPad,
iPhone, and iPod touch
Installation is quick and easy
Audio is clear and enhancing
learning tasks
Updates are made to meet the
needs of current IOS software
Engagement
Grade Level
Flexibility
Software is not
developed for target
grade level
Reading level is not
appropriate for
target grade level
Instructions are
unclear and difficult
to follow
User is somewhat
engaged with
software to learn
Lessons provide
little useful
feedback
Software rarely
motivates learner
Reading level is
somewhat
appropriate for
target grade level
Aspects are
somewhat
developed for target
grade level
Many instructions
are clear with
several confusing
Learner can
somewhat save at
regular intervals and
re-enter instructions
Software offers a
whole group or
small group or
individual learning
opportunities
User is engaged
with software to
learn
Lessons provide
feedback
Software often
motivates learner to
improve skills
Reading level is
appropriate for
target grade level
Most aspects are
developed for target
grade level
Most instructions
are clear with a few
a bit confusing
User is highly
engaged with
software to learn
Lessons provide
appropriate
feedback
Highly motivates
learner to improve
skills
Score: 3.7
User is highly engaged through
each level of learning. A reward
system is used to encourage
students to continually engage in
the games. Feedback is provided
at the end of each level so
students know the level of
mastery for each word.
Reading level is
highly appropriate
for target grade
level
Software is
developed for target
grade level
Instructions are
clear and developed
for target grade
level
Score: 2.5
The app is intended for us for 812 grade. Many of the words are
too difficult for 7th grade
students.
Advanced 7th grade students
could benefit from the use of this
software. It will definitely be a
challenge.
The directions are clear and easy
to follow and appropriate for
middle school students.
Score: 2
The software does not offer
whole group or small group
sessions; it can only be used for
individual practice.
Learners can pause the game
while in the app. Once the app is
closed students will go back to
the home page.
Graphics do not
enhance learning
process
Layout is not easy
to navigate
Layout is
inconsistent
Graphics somewhat
enhance learning
process and are age
appropriate
Background and
text are somewhat
easy to read
Animation
somewhat
complements
learning
Layout is somewhat
easy to navigate
Layout is somewhat
consistent
throughout
Allows for
differentiation
(multiple
skills/ability levels)
Content is mostly
culturally diverse
Software
incorporates several
languages
Graphics mostly
enhance learning
process and are age
appropriate
Background and
text are mostly easy
to read
Animation mostly
complements
learning
Layout is mostly
easy to navigate
Layout is mostly
consistent
throughout
Adaptability
Allows for no
differentiation
Content is not
culturally diverse
Software does not
incorporates
different languages
Graphics enhance
learning process and
are age appropriate
Background and
text are easy to read
Animation
complements
learning
Layout is easy to
navigate
Layout is consistent
throughout
Score: 1.7
The app offers little to no
differentiation. All the same
words are assigned to the same
levels. Struggling students can
be stuck on a difficult level for
quite a while.
English is the only language the
software incorporates.
The different games and levels
offer some cultural diversity in
the design.
Students are timed on each game
activity which can be very nerve
wracking
Score: 4
Graphics are clear, age
appropriate, and enhance the
learning process.
The layout is easy to navigate
and offer how-to tutorials at the
beginning of each level
While each level offer a variety
of activities it still follows a
consistent layout