Computer Software Review

Name: Danielle Wozniak                 Day of Class: Mon/Weds 2-3:30               Computer Number: 4
Title of Software: Beanie Baby Blast
Author/Publisher: Helen Ji, Dasha Adamovich, Erik Waldo
WEB Address:  http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/mac/beaniebabyblast.html
Date produced or last modified: 3/31/03
Cost of full program: Free
Amount of intended class time use think you will use it. Be specific. An hour a day for two class periods each month.
Subject Area: Language Arts
Your intended audience Grades 2-6, in language arts period

Brief description: This program gives starters for stories that are based on beanie babies.

Objectives: To create an original story based on the introduction given.

Prior Knowledge Required: Basic writing skills are needed to at least allow students the advantage of writing a good story.  

Rate the following 10 Criteria: (high, medium or low) and give reasons as to why you rated this way.
1. Matches with intended curriculum High, it matches what I would like to teach, and it follows some similar assignments I was given when beginning to learn to write papers and stories.
2. Ease of download High, It was very simple and quick to download to the computer.
3. Clear and concise language High, It gives basic language introductions so to be understood by many children or people of all ages.  
4. Maintain student's interest High, I enjoyed imagining stories that I would write based on the introductions that I was given.  They were quite cute.  
5. Learner participation High, I did participate in reading all the introductions available as well as imagining the many stories that could spin off of these introductions.
6. Evidence of effectiveness Low, There were no awards for this software on the web site I found it on.
7. Objectionable bias Medium, it uses many of the beanie babies that have been developed over the years to create the introductions to the stories children will be able to create.
8. Documentation High, The author mentioned that this was created by students in an elementary school in Maryland.  It does not mention the age, but at any age in elementary school, I find this site highly creative.
9. Clarity of directions High, The directions were very simple and clear.  
10. Stimulates creativity High, even though it was simple, I did find my imagination go and think of ways to create stories.  

Strong Points: The fact it is highly creative for elementary students' creation.  
Weak Points: There are no example on the software of example stories.
Recommended action: Use it.
Minimum System requirements: Color Mac