Standardization of Quality Evaluation of Educational Software and Electronic Learning Tools—Analysis of Opinions of Selected Experts

Štefan Karolčík, Elena Čipková, Milan Veselský, Helena Hrubišková

Department of Didactics in Science, Psychology and Pedagogy, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.

DOI: 10.4236/jsea.2013.611069                

Abstract

Our research was focused on the identification of features, which was essential for educational digital products and the determination of their quality. The introductory analytical part of our research is focused on the analysis of existing sources of information related to the problems of research, production, appropriate use and evaluation of educational software environments. Consequently, we have divided the existing software products into three basic groups according to our main distinguishing feature. Second part of our paper is focused on various aspects, which are to be considered when assessing the quality of software solutions. The final part contains the presentation of results of our findings related to the most important features expected and required from digital learning tools by professional experts and specialists in given field.

Keywords

Educational Technologies; Learning Tools; Evaluation Tools

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	S. Bostock, “Classification of Educational Software,” Keele University, 1995. http://www.keele.ac.uk/ depts/aa/landt/lt/docs/atcbttyp.htm
[2]	S. Bleck, M. Bullinger, A. Lude and S. Schaal, “Electronic Mobile Devices in Environmental Education (EE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Evaluation of Concepts and Potentials,” Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 46, 2012, pp. 1232-1236.
[3]	Open Learning Technology Corporation Limited, “CAL Software Classifications,” 1996. http://www.educationau.edu.au/archives/CP/07.htm
[4]	co_hodnotit, 2008. http://pdf.uhk.cz/kch/evaluace_SW/co_hodnotit.htm
[5]	C. Conboy, S. Fletcher, K. Russell and M. Wilson, “An Evaluation of the Potential Use and Impact of Prezi, the Zooming Editor Software, as a Tool to Facilitate Learning in Higher Education,” In: Inovations in Practice, Vol. 7, 2012, pp. 31-45.
[6]	Criteria for Evaluating Software, 2001. http://www.colleges.org/software_eval/criteria.html
[7]	Educational Software Evaluation, 2009. http://www.humboldt.edu/~ra7001/pages_courses/sed718/ formb.html
[8]	Evaluace Vyukového Software, 2007. http://pdf.uhk.cz/kch/evaluace_SW/evalindex.htm
[9]	Educational Software Evaluation, 2002. http://www.sc.edu/etc/eval.etceval.htm
[10]	Educational Software Evaluation Criteria, “Freshpond Software Review,” 2001. http://www. freshpond.net/treasures/technology/softreviews/softeval.htm
[11]	R. Fisher, “Ucíme děti Myslet a ucit se,” Praha, Portál, 2011, 176 p
[12]	R. Foshat and M. I. Ahmed, “A Practical Process for Reviewing and Selecting Educational Software,” PLATO Learning, Inc., 2003.
[13]	“Kritériá na hodnotenie kvality ucebnice pre vseobecnovzdelávacie predmety,” 2008. http://www.statpedu.sk/buxus/docs//vyskum/ucebnicova_politika/hodnotenie_kvality_ucebnice.pdf
[14]	“IT232—Pedagogical Software,” 2009. http://www.idi.ntnu.no/~terjery/IT232/EnglishIT232.html
[15]	J. Jeff, “Evaluation of CAL Software for Higher Education: A Task for Three Experts,” Enhancing Learning, Teaching & Curricula with a University-Wide Integrated World Wide Web Framework. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Educational Development Centre, 2013.
[16]	K.-T. Yang and T.-H. Wang, “Interactive White Board: Effective Interactive Teaching Strategy Designs for Biology Teaching,” In-tech, E-Learning-Engineering, On-Job Training and Interactive Teaching, 2012, pp. 139-154.
[17]	I. Kalas, “Myty a Vízie O Informatizácii Skoly,” In: Zborník Príspevkov z 5. Celostátnej Konferencie Infovek, Bratislava, 2005, pp. 35-42.
[18]	S. Kemmis, R. Atkin and E. Wright, “How Do Students Learn?” Working Papers on Computer Assisted Learning, Centre for Applied Research in Education, Norwich, 1977.
[19]	Z. Kolár and A. Valisová, “Analyza Vyucování,” Grada, Praha, 2009, 232 p.
[20]	D. Lehotská, “Edukacny Softvér,” In: Matematika Informatika Fyzika, Roc. 16, c. 30, 2007, pp. 16-23.
[21]	J. Lever-Duffy and B. J. Mc. Donald, “Teaching and Learning with Technology,” 4th Edition, Pearson Education, Boston, 2011.
[22]	J. Mares, “Styly Ucení Záku a Studentu,” Portál, Praha, 1998, 239 p.
[23]	S. Papert, “Jean Piaget,” The TIME 100. http://www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/piaget 03.html
[24]	J. Pavlícek, “Projektování Vyuky pro Inovativní Vyukové Prostredí,” 2. vyd, Ostravská Univerzita v Ostravě, Ostrava, 2008, 100 p.
[25]	J. Piaget, “Logic and Psychology,” Manchester University Press, New York, 1953.
[26]	J. Piaget, “Psychologie Inteligence,” SPN, Praha, 1970.
[27]	Program, “Definition and Much More from Answers.com,” 2009. http://www.answers.com/program
[28]	J. Prucha, “Encyklopedie Pedagogiky,” Portál, Praha, 2009.
[29]	M. Resnick, “Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age,” In: G. Kirkman, Ed., The Global Information Technology Report: Readiness for the Networked World, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2002.
[30]	L. P. Rieber, “Microworlds,” In: D. Jonassen, Ed., Handbook of Research for Educational Communications and Technology, 2nd Edition, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, 2004, pp. 583-603.
[31]	M. Roblyer, “Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching,” Pearson Education, Boston, 2012.
[32]	K. L. Seifert and R. J. Hoffnung, “Child and Adolescent Development,” Hougton Mifflin Comp, New York, 1994.
[33]	D. B. Shinde and S. D. Gaikwad, “An Evaluation of Selected Open Source Software for Digital Libraries,” Seva Sadan’s College of Education, Ulhasnagar, 2013.
[34]	M. Simpson and F. Payne, “Using Information and Communications Technology as a Pedagogical Tool: Who Educates the Education?” 2009. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00001292. htm
[35]	V. Smékal, “Pozvání do Psychologie Osobnosti. Clověk v zrcadle Vědomí a Jednání,” Barrister & Principal, Brno, 2002, 517 p.
[36]	“Software Evaluation”. http://www.ed.brocku.ca/~jkerr/sftwreva.htm
[37]	“Software: Definition and Much More from Answers.com”. http://www.answers.com/topic/computer-software
[38]	R. Taylor, “The Computer in the School: Tutor, Tool, Tutee,” Teachers College Press, New York, 1980.
[39]	“Teachernet, Learning, Teaching and Managing Using ICT”. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/whole school/ictis/
[40]	“The State of Children’s Software Evaluation”. http://www.childrenssoftware.com/evaluation.html
[41]	“Transforming Teaching and Learning through ICT in Schools,” 2004-2007. http://www.north amptonshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/301B8C79-2F78-4A6A-B9E6-24E6AC3A0136/0/TTandLICTinSchools Strategy200407finalversionpagesinorder.pdf
[42]	M. Veselsky, “Pedagogická Psychológia 1. Teória a Prax,” Univerzita Komenského, Bratislava, 2004.
[43]	M. Veselsky, “Pedagogická Psychológia 2. Teória a Prax,” Univerzita Komenského, Bratislava, 2008.
[44]	A. Vitovsky, “Moderní Slovník Softwaru. Vykladovy. Anglicko-Cesky a Cesko-Anglicky,” AV software, Praha, 2006.
[45]	“Vykladovy Terminologicky Slovník Electronickych Komunikácií”. http://www.vus.sk/iecd/new/Vyklad. asp
[46]	“What Is Software?—A Word Definition from the Webopedia Computer Dictionary”. http://www. webopedia.com/TERM/s/software.html
[47]	“What the Research Says about Using ICT in Science”. http://www.becta.org.uk/page_documents /research/wtrs_science.pdf
[48]	Z. H. Li, “Superiority of Multimedia Technology in Geography Teaching,” In: T. Zhang, Ed., Future Computer, Communication, Control and Automation, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2012, pp. 581-585.