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Rachel

Mainero
IT 6140
Wayne State University
20 September 2015

Educational Software Evaluation


Worlds Worst Pet vs. SAT Vocab
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

WORLDS WORST PET

SAT VOCAB

Worlds Worst Pet is part of i-Ready, a blended


learning program published by Curriculum
Associates. This software app is designed to build
a rich vocabulary of Tier Two words. Aligned to
the Common Core, this app provides an engaging
narrative and reward system to keep students
motivated. Worlds Worst Pet leverages best
practices from Reading research. It targets Tier
Two words, selected from research-based lists. It
also explores word relationships, synonyms and
antonyms, and domain-specific words, including
science and social studies words.

SAT Vocab by MindSnacks features 9 games


designed to build essential SAT vocabulary
words. The app replaces the tedious flashcards
used in traditional vocabulary acquisition and
applies unique games focused on antonyms,
context, and spelling of 500 SAT words. Each
of the 9 challenging games focuses on a
different aspect of vocabulary building. The
app features 25 different lessons, but users
only receive one free lesson. It cost $4.99 to
activate all 25 lessons.

EVALUATION OF LEARNING SETTING


This app is intended for individual vocabulary
practice of Tier Two words identified by
Common Core authors. This app does not allow
for whole group learning. In order for this app to
be used each student will need an iPad. The app
will not run on any other device. The app could

The SAT vocab app is intended for individual


practice of SAT, PSAT, or GRE vocabulary
words. The app design does not function well
with whole group or small group learning
settings. The app will work on the iPhone, iPod
touch, and iPad. It does not work with Android

be applied in small group activities if enough


iPads were not available for all students. The app
is free for use and does not offer any in-app
purchases. The full version of the game can be
used without the fear of students being asked to
purchase more levels.

and Windows tablets or phones. Leaners need


to pay for an upgrade to access the full version
of the game. Because the app tracks student
progress and performance, each student in the
learning setting would need his/her own device
to use on a regular basis.

EVALUATION OF QUANTITATIVE RATING AND TEXTUAL JUSTIFICATION


See Appendix A

See Appendix B

COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS CONNECTIONS


Common Core State Standards are directly
incorporated in the development and design of
Worlds Worst Pet.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative and
connotative meanings
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative,
connotative, and technical meanings
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and
multiple-meaning words and phrases based on
grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly
from a range of strategies.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative
language, word relationships, and nuances in
word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.1
Write arguments focused on discipline-specific
content.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2
Write informative/explanatory texts, including the
narration of historical events, scientific
procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

State standards are not directly connected to


the development and design of SAT Vocab;
however it correlates with many of the
vocabulary standards within Language
Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
and Reading Standards for Literature.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases
as they are used in a text, including figurative
and connotative meanings
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown
and multiple-meaning words and phrases
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative
language, word relationships, and nuances in
word meanings.

ISTE STANDARDS
ISTE6: Technology operations: Students
demonstrate a sound understanding of technology

ISTE6: Technology operations: Students


demonstrate a sound understanding of

concepts, systems, and operations.


ICT7: Select and use the appropriate tools and
digital resources to accomplish a variety of tasks
and to solve problems

technology concepts, systems, and operations.


ICT7: Select and use the appropriate tools and
digital resources to accomplish a variety of
tasks and to solve problems

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.

SAT Vocab offers very little adaptability to


learners. The software will read the lessons
vocabulary words if the learner clicks on them
in the review session. It will not read the
definition or antonyms. During gameplay the
learner has to read words and sentences on
own. The game does not adjust words for
struggling readers.

EVALUATION OF LEARNER-CENTERED SOFTWARE


The authors of Common Core emphasize that
students need incremental, repeated exposure in
a variety of contexts to the words they are trying
to learn. With this app students see the same
words multiple times in a single set of activities.
The activities are written so words are practiced
in varied contexts with varied answer choices
when the activity is replayed. Rewards and
feedback throughout the game motivate students
to think carefully about the meaning of each word
and its relationship to other words. Students must
be actively engaged for learning to occur. At the
end of each set of activities, writing prompts offer
and open-ended project to apply the target words
in writing.

Due to the app format there are little to no


higher order thinking skills. The app is more of
a memorization tool. Because the games are
timed, quick recall and fast reflexes are needed
to advance through the levels. This can lead to
wrong answers being selected because of the
time constraint. The app does provide
immediate feedback of level of mastery for
each word at the end of each session. In some
levels it will immediately tell you the correct
answer after answering incorrectly. The student
must be engaged to advance in the game and
for learning to occur. The app does not offer an
open-ended project due to its one answer is
right design.

TESTIMONIALS AND REVIEWS


Curriculum Associates, the designers of this app,
have received a number of awards for their
educational software and applications. Among
them is the 2014 BESSIE Award for Best
Educational Software. Worlds Worst Pet is
recommended by the Parents Choice Foundation
in its Mobile Apps category. The reading app,
designed for students in grades 48, was chosen
by Parents' Choice Foundation's panel of

While no scholarly reviews were found for this


app, there are several customer testimonies that
address some pros and cons to this
instructional software.
App Safari has been writing iPhone app
reviews since 2007, with over 6,324 app
reviews. App Safari highly recommends SAT
vocab as an effective learning tool. "This app is

educators, scientists, artists, librarians, parents,


and children for its ability to entertain and teach
with flair, stimulate imagination, and inspire
creativity.

not just your average, run-of-the-mill crash


course... It includes complex exercises,
challenges, and lessons that make the learning
process fun and effective" (App Safari).

Many customers testimonies rave about how


engaging and pedagogically sound the software
app is for grades 3-8. Ive found this app to be
fantastic practice for those critical tier 2
vocabulary words. Not only is the app
pedagogically sound, its super engaging!
(Customer Maria@ed). This app is much more
than just word memorization. Its different types
of formats reach a wide range of skills and
abilities.

Amanda Bindel, an Education Consultant and


Common Sense Graphite Reviewer, does not
share the same view as the reviewers at App
Safari. The speed with which kids are pushed
to recall words is nerve-wracking! Gameplay
isn't always intuitive, leading to some
unnecessary misses while still working out
how to play (Bindel). While the app does
offer a variety of game formats to keep the
words fresh and the challenge high, it also adds
an element of timed reflexes that is an
unnecessary challenge.

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

Customer Maria@ed Review. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/worlds-worst-petvocabulary/id730540095?mt=8


Worlds Worst Pet iPad App Names a Winner of Parents Choice Recommended Award.
Retrieved from http://www.curriculumassociates.com/aboutus/Press-Release-Worlds-Worst-PetApp-Winner-Parents-Choice-Award.aspx

Instructional Content

Appendix A: The Worlds Worst Pet Evaluation



Unsatisfactory-1
No instructional
content
Does not align with
district curriculum
Does not align with
CCSS
Objectives are
difficult to
understand
Information is
outdated and
inaccurate

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 and Comments


Score: 4
App explicitly states it was
developed to support Common
Core State Standards. Objectives
about what words are targeted
and how learners will use best
practices to improve reading
comprehension and vocabulary
list

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

Appendix A: The Worlds Worst Pet Evaluation


Engagement

Grade Level

Flexibility

Adaptability

User is not engaged


with software to
learn
Lessons provide no
feedback to learner
Software does not
motivate learner

Software is not
developed for target
grade level
Reading level is not
appropriate for
target grade level
Instructions are
unclear and difficult
to follow

Learner cannot save


at regular intervals
and re-enter
instructions
Software does not
offer a whole group
or small group or
individual learning
opportunities
Allows for no
differentiation
Content is not
culturally diverse
Software does not
incorporates
different languages

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

Learner can mostly


save at regular
intervals and reenter instructions
Software offers a
whole group or
small group, and
individual learning
opportunities
Allows for
differentiation
(multiple
skills/ability levels)
Content is mostly
culturally diverse
Software
incorporates several
languages

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.

Appendix A: The Worlds Worst Pet Evaluation


Graphics do not
enhance learning
process
Layout is not easy
to navigate
Layout is
inconsistent

Graphics and Layout

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

Total Score: 28.5


Scale: Excellent Education Software 32-29 points
Good Educational Software: 28-25
Okay Educational Software: 24-21
Unacceptable Educational Software :Below 20

EXCELLENT/GOOD EDUCATION SOFTWARE

Instructional Content

Appendix B: SAT Vocab by MindSnacks



Unsatisfactory-1
No instructional
content
Does not align with
district curriculum
Does not align with
CCSS
Objectives are
difficult to
understand
Information is
outdated and
inaccurate

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 and Comments


Score: 3
App was not developed with
Common Core State Standards
in mind, but it does correlate
with several of the standards for
vocabulary use.
There is a good amount of
content. This section would have
ranked higher but the learner has
to purchase the content. Only
one level is free.

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

Appendix B: SAT Vocab by MindSnacks


Engagement

Grade Level

Flexibility

User is not engaged


with software to
learn
Lessons provide no
feedback to learner
Software does not
motivate learner

Software is not
developed for target
grade level
Reading level is not
appropriate for
target grade level
Instructions are
unclear and difficult
to follow

Learner cannot save


at regular intervals
and re-enter
instructions
Software does not
offer a whole group
or small group or
individual learning
opportunities

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

Learner can mostly


save at regular
intervals and reenter instructions
Software offers a
whole group or
small group, and
individual learning
opportunities

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.

Learner can save at


regular intervals and
re-enter instruction
at same point
Software offers
whole group, small
group, and
individual learning
opportunities

Appendix B: SAT Vocab by MindSnacks


Graphics do not
enhance learning
process
Layout is not easy
to navigate
Layout is
inconsistent

Allows for little


differentiation
Content is
somewhat culturally
diverse
Software
incorporates a few
languages

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

Allows for several


differentiation
(multiple
skills/ability levels)
Content is culturally
diverse
Software
incorporates a
variety of languages

Adaptability

Allows for no
differentiation
Content is not
culturally diverse
Software does not
incorporates
different languages

Graphics and Layout

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

Total Score: 23.6


Scale: Excellent Education Software 32-29 points
Good Educational Software: 28-25
Okay Educational Software: 24-21
Unacceptable Educational Software :Below 20

OKAY EDUCATION SOFTWARE

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