The Web 2.0 Software I have chosen to review is Yacapaca!
URL: http://yacapaca.com
1.
Short
description of the Web 2.0 application or open source software application
Yacapaca! is a
website that teachers can use to create, execute, grade and share assessments
for students.
2.
Describe
the target audience for this software.
This application is
aimed at both teachers and their students.
Teachers prepare surveys and assessments, and the students take them.
3.
What is
the purpose of the software? How does it work?
Teachers can use
the software to design tests, quizzes and surveys for their students. You can also store and share your assessments
for others to use, or you can access other people’s work. In order to create your own assessments,
however, you need to join authoring groups.
So far I was only able to discover how to create assessments using
existing questions. I didn’t see any way
to write my own questions.
4.
Describe
the user interface. Is it easy or difficult to use? Why or why not?
The user interface
is fairly straightforward. When you
first log in you can add the students who can access your assessments, or grant
access to students who are already registered on Yacapaca! When you register as a teacher they e-mail
you a PDF with basic instructions, but even without it it’s pretty easy to
figure out. There’s even an introductory
group where teachers can practice creating assessments and editing questions.
5.
Technical
requirements. Does it work on Windows, Apple and Linux? Are there
minimum memory requirements, software that needs to be installed?
It is entirely a
web based application that does not require installing any software. The only memory requirements are those for
the browser and for Shockwave. It works
on Windows, Apple and Linux.
6.
What
browsers does it work with? Does it require Javascript, Java, ActiveX,
Flash, Shockwave or plugins?
It works in
Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer. It
is almost entirely Shockwave Flash based, and does not require any other
plugins.
7.
What
are the strengths of this software application?
The application
allows teachers to assign homework and give quizzes or surveys that their
students can access paperlessly. It grades
the assessment and provides the student with instant feedback, and saves the
teacher having to take the time. It
provides the teacher with a number of ways of viewing the data.
8.
What
are the weaknesses of this software application?
Despite spending a lot
of time navigating the website, I was unable to discover a way to write my own
questions. While there are numerous
questions stored in the site, as well as existing assessments, I would like to
be able to write my own questions. In
addition, it is a British site, so our students might have some difficulty with
syntax and spelling differences. Lastly,
not all of our students have internet access at home.
9.
Provide
at least three examples of how you might use this in your science teaching.
1.
I could
give my students a survey to assess prior knowledge, or see where their
interests lie.
2.
I could
put together homework assignments for the students to complete and get instant
feedback on.
3.
If I
had internet access in my classroom I could use it to design tests or quizzes
that I would not have to take the time to grade.
10. Include
any tips for science teachers.
Because this is a
British site the questions have not been prepared with NYS Regents standards in
mind. Teachers should make sure to model
their assessments after the Regents Exam.