Software Review by Ryan Mertaugh

Your Name:  Ryan Mertaugh
Class Meeting Time:  Wednesday 4pm
User Name:: merta1rp

Title of Software:  French Verb Games
Author or Publisher:  Amigos Software
WEB Address:  http://www.teach-nology.com/downloads/mac/languages/ 

Date produced or last modified:  2007
Cost of full program:  $25.00

Amount of intended class time usage:   Two or three days a week for around 15 minutes.

Subject Area:  French grammar

Your intended audience: High school students in all levels of high school French, from French 1 to French 4.

Brief description:     This is a program containing 700 French verbs that can be used in a multitude of games and activities to promote learning.  With the verbs one can choose from verb tests, conjugating verbs, verb crossword puzzles and word games.  

Objectives:  This software is very useful for the classroom and captivating the students attention, it almost makes grammar fun for the kids to work on.  The program is also very easy to manipulate, so a teacher does not need to spend too much time becoming familiar with the way it runs, this also makes it easy for the students to use, creating more time for the kids to focus on their grammar.

Prior Knowledge Required: There are several fields a student needs to be familiar with in order to successfully use "French Verb Games."  Firstly, this is a foreign language program, so knowledge of French is mandatory, and prior knowledge of how verbs work and are conjugated.  Secondly, developed computer skills are necessary for using this program.

Rate the following 10 Criteria:
High it has a lot to do with criteria, medium is has something, low it has little or nothing to do with criteria.

1. Matches with intended curriculum.
    High, this is a French grammar program and in every high school French class grammar is a major focus of the curriculum, if not the main focus.

2. Ease of download.
    High, the download took no longer than thirty seconds and was fully functional within a minute of opening the program.

3. Clear and concise language.
    High, the language used in the software is very clear and concise as well as easy to follow.

4. Maintain student's interest.
    High,  this program is fun and engaging, and for grammar purposes this program will definitely maintain student's interest.

5. Learner participation.
    High, this program requires close to 100% user participation for it is all about conjugating French verbs.

6. Evidence of effectiveness. 
    Low, there was no information on whether or not this program has received any awards on not.

7. Objectionable bias
    Low,  there was no advertising, gender, racial or any other biases with this program.

8. Documentation.
    High, the author has a facts section which explains the purpose of the software and it also explains most of the common question that would be asked about the program.

9. Clarity of directions.
    High,  directions are easy to follow and clearly presented.

10. Stimulates creativity.
    Medium, this program does not allow for too much creativity for it is focused on a set grammar procedure.

Strong Points:  This program is very easy to use and to download, also the material covered matches perfectly with the intended curriculum.  The cost is not too much, and this software can be used with high school French (I) through French (IV).

Weak Points:  The only area in which this software is week is that it does not stimulate student creativity, but that really is not the focus of this software, the focus is on grammar.

Recommended action:  I definitely recommend using this program.

Minimum System requirements:  This software will work on both Windows and Mac.  The Windows version will work on all Windows systems (Windows  95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista), and the Mac version will work on all Mac OS X systems.

Published by, Ryan Mertaugh
Modified date 10/31/07