Fill out this form completely.  Go to this link for MAC and this link for IBM or compatible. Locate software to evaluate. Choose one of your intended major - minor and grade level and download either demo, shareware, or freeware. Download the software onto your disk or in a desktop file with your name on it.. Download this form, save it as software.html and when you have completed it publish it to your edcentral account.

Name: Valerie Mayra       Day of Class:  TR 12:30-1:50        Computer Number: 16
Title of Software: Code Reader
Author/Publisher: EduVentures
WEB Address:  http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/mac/codereader.html
Date produced or last modified: 2000
Cost of full program: $10 to register
Amount of intended class time use think you will use it. Be specific.  I would use this program for kids who have extra free time or at recess.  One kid would probably take 5 minutes to decode each sentence and they could probably do 3 words, so it would take approximately 15 minutes to play.
Subject Area:  Language Arts
Your intended audience  The intended audience for this game would probably be 2nd grade because the students will be able to decode the jubbled letters to make small words they know.

Brief description:  This is a game that makes a child pick a number 1-5 which then gives them the opportunity to choose phonics or frequency which their teacher could pick for them.  Then they click on "make code" which provides a sentence made of jummbled letters.  They also have to make sure to put a period at the end of the sentence.

Objectives:  To get students to look at letters and find the decoded letter in the list.  It allows kids to guess what the next letter will be before they look it up in the decoder.  It's a good way for them to learn words and sound them out.

Prior Knowledge Required:  Simple basic words and some basic typing skills.

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 because it allows students to practice reading short and simple sentences which they will be doing in class at reading and story times.
2. Ease of download  High because I just had to click on the download button and the link was on my desktop immediately.
3. Clear and concise language  High because the publisher described exactly what the software would be like.  I knew what to expect before I downloaded it.  The directions for the game were also clear.
4. Maintain student's interest  High because young children would have a blast figuring out which letter is represented by a different one.  They will be amused by the mixed up letters because it looks goofy.  
5. Learner participation   High because the child is constantly pushing keys because they are always decoding letters.  The student is always involved.
6. Evidence of effectiveness   Medium because if a student correctly decodes the sentence and makes sure to put correct punctuation at the end, the program tells the student "Good Job."
7. Objectionable bias  Low because the  author was fair in his objectives and effectiveness. 
8. Documentation  High because the student or teacher is able to visit a web site and find out about purchasing information.
9. Clarity of directions  High because the directions were clear and consice and a student could follow them easily.
10. Stimulates creativity  High because students could play this game themselves by making their own coded sentences. 

Strong Points:  The program allows children to see jumbled letters and decode them so that they make sense.  It lets them think about what the next letter or word will be and also how to spell some words.
Weak Points:  There are no pictures or images to enhance the program.
Recommended action: The creator should add some images or talking narrarators to get kids even more enthused.
Minimum System requirements: Color Mac