S OFTWARE R UBRIC

An Evaluation of a Variety of Software

Erin Hatfield Corey Holmer Dominga Gardner [Pick the date]

Introduction
There are many different types of software available to schools. Some are great for every building. Some fulfill a specific need in a few buildings. Others sound good but dont meet expectations. The following rubric helps district members distinguish between good software and great software for their schools.

Rubric
For each question, choose the description that is most like the trial you experienced. Each question is graded on a 1-4 point scale. At the end of the rubric, total your points to find the final evaluation of the software.
Question
1 Ease of Use: Can the software be easily used by the majority of the students in the building with the available technology? Engagement: Does the software keep students of all grades and levels on task and learning? Alignment to Standards: Does the software easily address the standards set by Common Core? Cost of Maintenance: Does the cost to maintain the software yearly justify its continued purchase? Is it a one-time license that is cost effective for our building? Additional Requirements: Does the software have additional requirements (i.e. headphones, webcam, graphics requirements) to be properly utilized? Multiple Platforms: Majority of the school population cannot use software due to technology availability 2 Software can be used by 25-50% of student population, but not on a daily basis.

Ranking
3 Software can be used by 51-75% of the student population 2-3 days a week. 4 Software can easily be used by all staff members when found necessary.

The software is inappropriate for the majority of users making them disengaged. The software is aligned to less that 10% of the Common Core State Standards.

Software is mostly appropriate, but contains many activities that are disengaging.

The majority of the software is appropriate, but contains some activities that are disengaging. The software is aligned to 50-60% of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase of the software has been found to be cost effective, but is not used often enough to justify the price.

The majority of the software is appropriate for all users and activities are engaging. The software is aligned with 75% or more of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase is either justifiable because of regular use, or cost effective for the building.

The software is aligned to 25-45% of the Common Core State Standards.

Cost of maintenance is too pricey for a single purchase, or must be renewed annually.

The purchase of the software is more pricey than others or may require an annual purchased, but is occasionally used by the building.

Software requires many additional products or services at a high additional cost.

Software requires several additional products at a moderate additional cost.

Software requires 1-2 additional products at a moderate cost.

Software does not require any additional products.

The software can be

The software can be used

The software can

The software can

Can the software be used on a variety of devices (i.e. Mac, Windows, tablet computers, and mobile devices)? Adaptability: Can the software be tailored to every students needs?

used on only one type of device or operating system.

on a few different types of devices or operating systems.

be used on the majority of devices and operating systems.

be used across all devices and operating systems.

The software can not be modified to reach the needs of all students.

Minor modifications are built into the software for various learners for use.

The software allows for modifications and settings changes to help nearly all groups of learners (ELL, Special Ed., etc.). The software comes with updates and they occur in a timely manner, but dont address major issues or update content.

The software offers a bountiful source of adaptations so all learners may use the software successfully.

Updates: Does the site-license for the software include updates to ensure relevant information and upgrades?

The software doesnt contain additional updates OR the updates come at an additional cost.

The software comes with updates but they are infrequent and dont address major issues or update content.

The software comes with updates that are frequent and necessary. The updates address major functional issues with the program and update content.

Total Score

Software with a Score of:

1-8 = Unacceptable 9-16 = Minimally Acceptable 17-24 = Acceptable This software does not meet the school/districts needs. The software should not be considered for purchase. This software minimally meets the school/districts needs. The software should be considered for purchase with further investigation. This software meets some of the school/districts needs. The software should be considered for purchase. The software should be considered based on how it can be fully utilized. Contact software vendor to capitalize on the full benefits of the software. The software meets many of the school/districts needs. The software is in compliance with the school/district. Contact the software vendor for further information on how to fully utilize all the features available on the software.

25-32 = Highly Acceptable

Sample Software Evaluation: Brainpop (www.brainpop.com)

Question
1 Ease of Use: Can the software be easily used by the majority of the students in the building with the available technology? Engagement: Does the software keep students of all grades and levels on task and learning? Alignment to Standards: Does the software easily address the standards set by Common Core? Cost of Maintenance: Does the cost to maintain the software yearly justify its continued purchase? Is it a one-time license that is cost effective for our building? Additional Requirements: Does the software have additional requirements (i.e. headphones, webcam, graphics requirements) to be properly utilized? Multiple Platforms: Can the software be used on a variety of devices (i.e. Mac, Windows, tablet computers, and mobile devices)? Adaptability: Can the software be tailored to every students needs? Majority of the school population cannot use software due to technology availability The software is inappropriate for the majority of users making them disengaged. The software is aligned to less that 10% of the Common Core State Standards. Cost of maintenance is too pricey for a single purchase, or must be renewed annually. 2 Software can be used by 25-50% of student population, but not on a daily basis.

Ranking
3 Software can be used by 51-75% of the student population 2-3 days a week. The majority of the software is appropriate, but contains some activities that are disengaging. The software is aligned to 50-60% of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase of the software has been found to be cost effective, but is not used often enough to justify the price. 4 Software can easily be used by all staff members when found necessary.

Software is mostly appropriate, but contains many activities that are disengaging. The software is aligned to 25-45% of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase of the software is pricier than others or may require an annual purchased, but is occasionally used by the building. Software requires several additional products at a moderate additional cost.

The majority of the software is appropriate for all users and activities are engaging.

The software is aligned with 75% or more of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase is either justifiable because of regular use, or cost effective for the building.

Software requires many additional products or services at a high additional cost.

Software requires 1-2 additional products at a moderate cost.

Software does not require any additional products.

The software can be used on only one type of device or operating system.

The software can be used on a few different types of devices or operating systems.

The software can be used on the majority of devices and operating systems.

The software can be used across all devices and operating systems.

The software cannot be modified to reach the needs of all students.

Minor modifications are built into the software for various learners for use.

The software allows for modifications and settings changes to help nearly all groups of learners (ELL, Special Ed., etc.). The software comes with updates and

The software offers a bountiful source of adaptations so all learners may use the software successfully. The software comes with updates that are

Updates: Does the site-license for

The software doesnt contain

The software comes with updates but they

the software include updates to ensure relevant information and upgrades?

additional updates OR the updates come at an additional cost.

are infrequent and dont address major issues or update content.

they occur in a timely manner, but dont address major issues or update content.

frequent and necessary. The updates address major functional issues with the program and update content.

2323

Total Score

23

17-24 = Acceptable

This software meets some of the school/districts needs. The software should be considered for purchase. The software should be considered based on how it can be fully utilized. Contact software vendor to capitalize on the full benefits of the software.

Sample Software Evaluation: Compass Odyssey Learning (www.thelearningodyssey.com)

Question
1 Ease of Use: Can the software be easily used by the majority of the students in the building with the available technology? Engagement: Does the software keep students of all grades and levels on task and learning? Alignment to Standards: Does the software easily address the standards set by Common Core? Cost of Maintenance: Does the cost to maintain the software yearly justify its continued purchase? Is it a one-time license that is cost effective for our building? Additional Requirements: Does the software have additional requirements (i.e. headphones, webcam, graphics requirements) to be properly utilized? Multiple Platforms: Can the software be used on a variety of devices (i.e. Mac, Windows, tablet computers, and mobile devices)? Adaptability: Can the software be tailored to every students needs? Majority of the school population cannot use software due to technology availability The software is inappropriate for the majority of users making them disengaged. The software is aligned to less that 10% of the Common Core State Standards. Cost of maintenance is too pricey for a single purchase, or must be renewed annually. 2 Software can be used by 25-50% of student population, but not on a daily basis.

Ranking
3 Software can be used by 51-75% of the student population 2-3 days a week. The majority of the software is appropriate, but contains some activities that are disengaging. The software is aligned to 50-60% of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase of the software has been found to be cost effective, but is not used often enough to justify the price. 4 Software can easily be used by all staff members when found necessary.

Software is mostly appropriate, but contains many activities that are disengaging. The software is aligned to 25-45% of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase of the software is pricier than others or may require an annual purchased, but is occasionally used by the building. Software requires several additional products at a moderate additional cost.

The majority of the software is appropriate for all users and activities are engaging.

The software is aligned with 75% or more of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase is either justifiable because of regular use, or cost effective for the building.

Software requires many additional products or services at a high additional cost.

Software requires 1-2 additional products at a moderate cost.

Software does not require any additional products.

The software can be used on only one type of device or operating system.

The software can be used on a few different types of devices or operating systems.

The software can be used on the majority of devices and operating systems.

The software can be used across all devices and operating systems.

The software cannot be modified to reach the needs of all students.

Minor modifications are built into the software for various learners for use.

The software allows for modifications and settings changes to help nearly all groups of learners (ELL, Special Ed., etc.). The software comes with updates and

The software offers a bountiful source of adaptations so all learners may use the software successfully. The software comes with updates that are

Updates: Does the site-license for

The software doesnt contain

The software comes with updates but they

the software include updates to ensure relevant information and upgrades?

additional updates OR the updates come at an additional cost.

are infrequent and dont address major issues or update content.

they occur in a timely manner, but dont address major issues or update content.

frequent and necessary. The updates address major functional issues with the program and update content.

Total Score

25

25-32 = Highly Acceptable

The software meets many of the school/districts needs. The software is in compliance with the school/district. Contact the software vendor for further information on how to fully utilize all the features available on the software.

Sample Software Evaluation: Maple Soft (www.maplesoft.com)

Question
1 Ease of Use: Can the software be easily used by the majority of the students in the building with the available technology? Engagement: Does the software keep students of all grades and levels on task and learning? Alignment to Standards: Does the software easily address the standards set by Common Core? Cost of Maintenance: Does the cost to maintain the software yearly justify its continued purchase? Is it a one-time license that is cost effective for our building? Additional Requirements: Does the software have additional requirements (i.e. headphones, webcam, graphics requirements) to be properly utilized? Multiple Platforms: Can the software be used on a variety of devices (i.e. Mac, Windows, tablet computers, and mobile devices)? Adaptability: Can the software be tailored to every students needs? Majority of the school population cannot use software due to technology availability The software is inappropriate for the majority of users making them disengaged. The software is aligned to less that 10% of the Common Core State Standards. Cost of maintenance is too pricey for a single purchase, or must be renewed annually. 2

Ranking
3 Software can be used by 51-75% of the student population 2-3 days a week. The majority of the software is appropriate, but contains some activities that are disengaging. The software is aligned to 50-60% of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase of the software has been found to be cost effective, but is not used often enough to justify the price. 4 Software can easily be used by all staff members when found necessary.

Software can be used by 25-50% of student population, but not on a daily basis.

Software is mostly appropriate, but contains many activities that are disengaging. The software is aligned to 25-45% of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase of the software is pricier than others or may require an annual purchased, but is occasionally used by the building. Software requires several additional products at a moderate additional cost.

The majority of the software is appropriate for all users and activities are engaging.

The software is aligned with 75% or more of the Common Core State Standards. The purchase is either justifiable because of regular use, or cost effective for the building.

Software requires many additional products or services at a high additional cost.

Software requires 1-2 additional products at a moderate cost.

Software does not require any additional products.

The software can be used on only one type of device or operating system.

The software can be used on a few different types of devices or operating systems.

The software can be used on the majority of devices and operating systems.

The software can be used across all devices and operating systems.

The software cannot be modified to reach the needs of all students.

Minor modifications are built into the software for various learners for use.

The software allows for modifications and settings changes to help nearly all groups of learners (ELL, Special Ed., etc.).

The software offers a bountiful source of adaptations so all learners may use the software successfully.

Updates: Does the site-license for the software include updates to ensure relevant information and upgrades?

The software doesnt contain additional updates OR the updates come at an additional cost.

The software comes with updates but they are infrequent and dont address major issues or update content.

The software comes with updates and they occur in a timely manner, but dont address major issues or update content.

The software comes with updates that are frequent and necessary. The updates address major functional issues with the program and update content.

Total Score

28 The software meets many of the school/districts needs. The software is in compliance with the school/district. Contact the software vendor for further information on how to fully utilize all the features available on the software.

25-32 = Highly Acceptable

Resources
Compass Learning Odyssey. 2012. Retrieved on March 2, 2013 from CompassLearning Odyssey Website: http://thelearningodyssey.com Brainpop. 2013. Retrieved on March 11, 2013 from Brainpop Website: http://www.brainpop.com/ Maple Soft. 2013. Retrieved on March 13, 2013, from http://www.maplesoft.com/products/Maple/academic/