Computer

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:     Course designed to help students obtain A+ Certification (computer diagnostics and repair).  Highly technical subject area.  The course is not much different than reading a book in that there is very little interaction.  Course offers small test of each subject at the end of each subject area. Course lays out subject areas well with one building on another. 

Navigation and Structure:   Navigation is very easy when you find the subject area you want.  Course does not automatically advance to the next level when subject is completed. 

Instructional Applications:    Adult Education/self-paced   

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:     Career Lab - 200 Cover Letters are an excellent range of sample letters for all job purposes.  The illustrated cover letters prepares the job hunter for creating a specific cover letter for each job application.  The sample letters are designed to benefit the job hunter to use these resources in order to publish a better cover letter.    

Navigation and Structure:   Typical web site navigation in a well structured layout that features twenty one links to all types of cover letters that apply to all job applications.  Structured very well and is easy to use.   

Instructional applications:   It is an excellent source for generating a more colorful cover letter.  I will personally get the benefit of using this site.  Thanks for leading me to this site!   

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 Evaluation Scale (scales score 0 = not applicable, 1 = not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and  4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:   ElementK is a web based training resource center offering Instructor-led or self-paced study courses ranging in topics covering business skills and IT certification to workplace safety.  ElementK offers 24 hour/7days a week training giving education when and where the student chooses.   ElementK offers up-to-the-minute information and complete flexibility making it a very powerful educational/training tool for the student/employee and employer.   In view of the fact that this is an online site, it proves to be a very cost effective learning tool for an employer to provide their employees.  Cost would be high for an individual, however well worth it. 

Navigation and Structure:   The website is easily navigated and completely customizable for individual or group training.  When the student signs on their course outline appears.   Lessons progress at the students own pace.  The site can bookmark where the student left off, therefore a student can exit the lesson at any time without starting back at the beginning.  A reference library is also at the students disposal if it is ever needed. 

Instructional  Applications:  Since the site is customizable you can monitor students progress, as well as set up new users and produce detailed usage reports.  The instructor/employer will know what the student has learned, when they’ve completed courses, how they performed as well as their improvement.   

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  Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1 = not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:   A teacher guide and project ideas.  Included as a bonus in the package is Morphú Pro 2.5 software, which enables students to transform and morph images instantly and import them into their HyperStudio projects.  A wide variety of online help and resources are offered. Evaluation   This software is not for you if you are not computer literate.  Once you have mastered the many components of this program it may prove to be an excellent choice of software.   A teacher who is willing to take the time to learn this program would have an extremely powerful tool for the students.   It can create very dynamic presentations and web pages.  The beauty of this program is you can create your complete publications without leaving the program. 

Instructional Applications:   HyperStudio is a tool that can assist teachers in helping their students express themselves and bring their ideas to life by integrating multimedia elements and animation.  This tool also allows students and educators to create professional presentations for their classes, departments and clubs using only one piece of software.  

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score  0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:   Learn how to type.  Finger placement and speed practice. 

Navigation and Structure:    Very easy to follow instructions.  No problem with students understanding navigational tools. 

Instructional Applications:    ABE and literacy program.   

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:   The content of the software is simple.  The software provides virus as well as security for a wide range of computing devices. McAfee reduces the threat online and with email as well as file sharing.   

Navigation and Structure:   Installation, Navigation and Structure are simple.  The navigation is setup to simple for users and can be setup initially leaving little user intervention to keep the product up to date. Virus Scan allows you to purchase the online version and use your virus software with online features such as downloads or can also be purchased to run from the desktop. Virus Scan as built in utilities that monitor online threats differently then email and climates any risk of obtaining a virus from any point on your computer. 

Instructional Applications:   Instructional Applications do not apply to this particular software.    

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:    The content of the software is very complex.  There are many features involved in this software.  This is good if there is an abundant amount of time can be spent learning the entire software.  The software could be made simpler.  You want to be able to utilize the software with ease and not spend time researching every task.  Too much content in embedded in the program.  

Navigation and Structure:    Navigation is complex.  Setup is very involved initially on setup.  Once the initial setup on the server is setup then remote installation can be used. The software can also be installed as a standalone version.  They are good features from the user desktop that allows them to schedule scanning as well as auto updating features.  However the structure can also be complex which tends to turn the users away and updates aren’t run and scans do not take place leaving the machine vulnerable to virus’s.  There is also another down side to the Network installation.  The software can be updated from the server and sent out to all the workstations applied.  The way the updates are obtained causes stress on the network and are not productive. 

Instructional Applications:   Instructional Applications do not apply to this particular software.     

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and  4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:   PC 100 is designed to teach beginners the basic skills needed to start using the computer effectively and efficiently. Users will learn about the computer operating system, common elements, icons, windows, menus, text and check boxes, lists, radio buttons, dialog boxes and starting and exiting programs. In addition, at the onset of the course, an optional hands-on-practice mouse tutorial is automatically launched for anyone who is new to computers. This tutorial includes lessons and exercises on moving, clicking and dragging. 

Navigation and Structure:   Lessons are presented in a clear, step-by-step voice narration that is easy to understand. (There is an optional display of the narration text, which not only reinforces instruction, but allows the hearing impaired to use the course.) Hands-on exercises let the user immediately practice the skills. Short quizzes evaluate the learner’s knowledge and measure progress. It is fairly easy to navigate through this program. Learners can easily repeat sections or skip through sections that they may already be familiar with. Students can exit the course at any time and upon returning, the program will resume where they left off. 

Instructional Applications:   This computer tutorial is designed for adult and student use in schools, vocational programs, adult education and literacy programs, job training programs and employability classes. Because it is so well designed, most students can navigate through the course at their own pace with little assistance from an instructor.   

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• PC 125 - The Internet Using Internet Explorer & Outlook Express – also available

 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:    PC 120 teaches the concepts and skills required to get information, send messages, shop and do research on the Internet. The contents include an Internet overview, accessing the Internet, link types and Internet software. The first half is very much in depth, describing thoroughly every facet (which may be the only weakness). The World Wide Web, addresses, web pages, searching, and using the various functions are all part of the navigating component. Using the Messenger, receiving and sending messages, using the address book, attachments, replying to, forwarding, and organizing mail are all systematically covered in the e-mail sections. 

Navigation and Structure:    Lessons are presented in a clear, easy-to-understand manner, using graphics, voice and excellent animation. (An optional text display of the narration reinforces instruction and allows the hearing impaired to use the course.) Hands-on exercises provide practice of each skill. Vocabulary and other short quizzes are included to evaluate the learner’s knowledge and measure progress.  Navigating through this program is not the least complicated. Learners can easily repeat sections or skip through sections that they may already be familiar with. Students can exit and resume the course at any time. 

Instructional Applications:   This interactive, multimedia software is an excellent tool that can be used with grade 5 – 12 students in schools and at home, instructional personnel, technology classes, adult education computer literacy classes and job training programs. Users can move through the course at their own pace with little assistance from an instructor.   

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* PC 125 - The Internet Using Internet Explorer & Outlook Express – also available

 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:    PC140 is a word processing tutorial program that can be regarded only as first-rate. Every important component to word processing for beginner-level computer users is introduced and practiced in this course. After an introductory overview, contents of the program include entering, formatting and editing text, opening, creating and saving a document, setting margins, using the spelling and grammar checks, printing, and much more.  

Navigation and Structure:   Lessons are presented in a clear, easy-to-understand manner, using high-quality graphics and animation, and voice. (An optional text display of the narration reinforces instruction and allows the hearing impaired to use the course.) Immediately following the introduction of each concept or skill, a hands-on exercise is presented for practice. Learners are kindly guided through these practice exercises and given immediate feedback. Short quizzes are included to evaluate the learner’s knowledge and measure progress.  Even the most timid users will find navigating through the sections very simple. Learners can easily repeat sections or skip through sections that they may already be familiar with. Students can exit and resume the course at any time and place. 

Instructional Applications:   This interactive, multimedia software is an excellent instrument to help all beginning-computer-users understand what word processing is all about. It would be an excellent program for initial training before a more intensive program. This tutorial is a good buy for use in schools, home, adult education and literacy programs, libraries, community-based organizations, businesses and etc.   

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:     This program, “freezes,” a computer’s system settings.  Any changes made to the computer are erased once the computer has been rebooted. Programs that have been installed while the computer has been frozen will be erased. System and Regional settings that have been changed will also be erased. The company says that it is not necessary to use anti-virus software but this is not wholly true. Viruses will linger and eventually bring a system down, due to the replicating nature of a virus. 

Navigation and Structure:   The new Standard 2000 is the easiest version yet. The computer can be enabled and disabled through the desktop whereas the earlier versions could only be disabled/enabled on boot up. 

Instructional Applications:    This application is not for instructional purposes but in a lab environment it reduces down time of computers by at least 80%.  Keeping HDD defragmented and cleared of cookies and temp files is a necessary evil, but with Deep Freeze this chore is no longer a time consuming task. Turning the computers off in the evening and starting them in the morning takes care of this arduous task.   

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:    The content of the software is very limited as to what is contained in the program.  This is good feature due to complexity issues in regards to virus software.  The program should be very simple and contain only what users need. 

Navigation and Structure:    Navigation is also simple. If you are running the software in a Network Environment then the Navigation and structure for all users in minimal.  From the server side every workstation is simply updated from one location.  The installation can also take place from one location.  This is a crucial feature in a Network Environment.  As a stand alone product updates must be ran by the individual in order for the software work correctly and efficiently.   

Instructional Applications:    Instructional Applications do not apply to this particular software.     

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Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:   This program is a comprehensive review of keyboarding skills beginning with how to sit and use the home row and continuing on up through the numeric pad.  It stresses accuracy and speed in a variety of exercises and games as you learn all the keys.  This program offers unique 3D animation to see exactly how your hands should be positioned as well as telling you through the speakers with its sound capabilities. If you purchase the textbook, you can use the Diagnostic Writings feature which evaluates your skills after keying a text writing.  The program will then identify words and phrases you need to practice and set up these special practice sessions customized to your needs. 

Navigation and Structure:   It’s fairly easy to navigate through this program once you get use to the various possibilities available.  The help button appears on almost every screen throughout the program.  You must sign in and use a password if you want to keep track of the lessons you’ve completed, but you may also click on the guest button to just try the program.  The management program is easy to access and reports can be printed. 

Instructional Applications:   This program could be used for an entire classroom of beginning keyboarders or even keyboarders at different levels since there are many different levels to access.  The textbook, which can be purchased to give more keyboarding exercises, could be given as assignments for students.  You can even send keyboarding assignments to the instructor over e-mail by clicking a “send file” button if you are connected to the Internet.  This is an excellent program for adult education for those needing to learn to keyboard or improve speed and accuracy.  The game parts appeal to younger adults and the thoroughness of the explanations appeals to adults who have never touched a computer keyboard before.     

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 Evaluation Scale (scale score 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

Description of Content:   Typing Tutor 7 provides options for beginners and advanced typists that start with home row key lessons or a speed/accuracy test. Menu options provide a variety of activities to increase speed and accuracy such as games, book selections, dictation, and tests. 

Navigation and Structure:    Drop-down menus and option/suggestion buttons move the student through lessons or activities. The Main Screen is always available.  The user may change display and sound options.  The network version allows access to individuals’ histories on the server.   

Instructional Applications:   Typing Tutor 7 is great on its own as a keyboarding course or as part of a course.  Start as a beginning or as an advanced typist.  Low-level readers can read the simple, clear instructions, and beginning typists can repeat lessons as new students, if the lessons go a little too quickly.  Print out test or lesson results to document progress.  (There is no option for one-handed keyboarding.)   

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 Evaluation Scale (scale 0 = not applicable, 1= not recommended, 2 = fair, 3 = good and 4 = excellent) 

 Description of Content:

·          Learning Lab covers basics of typing (posture, ergonomics, etc).

·          Skill building has 18 exercises covering generally 2 keys per lesson, with three sections per exercise

·          Practices skills have 18 exercises covering the same keys, but generally use real-world examples of sentences and paragraphs.

·          Testing center allows users to test typing speeds, that are connected to specific exercises

·          There are no holistic exercises that integrate all the keys with real-world examples

Navigation and Structure:   Simple graphic user interface. 

Instructional Applications:   Typing  

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