Comparing Software Reviews

I visited the following software review websites in order to compare them:  SREB EvaluTech, California Learning Resource Network, SuperKids, and Education World. 

SREB EvaluTech is a Southern Regional Education Board website that makes available to schools  computer software recommended by state departments of education.  Education professionals review the software applicable to K-12 grade levels using guidelines/criteria set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  This free resource is available on a variety of subjects where key words and grade level only need to the entered to find appropriate software.  Also, although based on standards from North Carolina, they fit curriculums throughout the nation.  If a certain resource cannot be located, the site lists an email address to contact for additional assistance.    

The California Resource Network has some impressive characteristics.  This site hosts a variety of ways to search for software to fit an educators' instructional software needs.  You can search for software by grade level, subject, topic, a favorite publisher, or at-risk student activities.  You can even look for other resources in the categories of videos, Internet, or textbook.  There were over 3,000 reviews, and the list is modified on a monthly basis.  There is a lengthy screening process, and only software meeting specific guidelines are included on this website.  The guidelines included meeting state standards (California), the CLRN board review (educators trained to evaluate software) standards, and legal standards.  I don't mind if this resource is geared for standards in California.  With the ability to type in a grade level and topic, one is able to access a wealth of potential instructional aids. I would use this site, in fact I look forward to it!

Although I really like some aspects of the SuperKids site, I'm not as impressed with it compared to CLRN.  I appreciate the ease at which you can access information, but the search is linear (you can't search for grade and subject at the same time) However, I like that once you find software you are interested in, you can click a button to check out reviews of similar software.  I understand that "kids, parents, and teachers" reviewed the software on a monthly basis, but who are these people??? I like that the site gives a list of best sellers, but to me it seemed more commercially motivated than focused on educational benefits.

While I like the Education World site (I actually have it on my Delicious Account.), it is my least favorite of the software review sites.  It was not user friendly.  The information on software review was interesting (especially the ones to assist teachers with administrative tasks and learning technology), but the rest seemed very limited. 

And my winner is CLRN!!!