Assignment 1 – Review of a web 2.0 application OR Review of an open source software application for possible use in science education

Due Date - 2/21/2013

Possible Points - 10

How to Submit -

• Always make sure that your name, the date, the assignment number and course number are at the top of the page on your assignment.  
• Post the text on the Discussion board in BlackBoard.  Please make sure to edit the subject line so that it includes your name and the number of the assignment
• In BlackBoard, click on the "Assignments" link.  Next find the correct assignment number and click on "View/Complete Assignment".  Put your name and the assignment number in the "Comments" Box, "Choose" your file, and then "Submit".
• You DO NOT need to hand in a paper copy.
• Later in the semester, please post your software review on your Blog and web site.

Instructions for Assignment 1

1. This is an individual assignment, not a group assignment.  
2. Take approximately twenty minutes to explore the wide variety of educational apps (Cool Apps for Schools), Web 2.0 applications, 100 Web Tools to Enhance Collaboration (Part 1) by Ozge Karaoglu,  and Open Source software that is available.  Cool Tools for Schools (This is an excellent site)
3. Please select a Web 2.0 or open source application and record the following information:
• Name of the Web 2.0 application or open source software
• URL:
4. Review your software or Web 2.0 application using the following criteria:

1. Short description of the Web 2.0 application, open source software application, or app.
   
2. Describe the target audience for this software.
3. What is the purpose of the software?  How does it work?
4. Describe the user interface.  Is it easy or difficult to use?  Why or why not?
5. Technical requirements.  Does it work on Windows, Apple and Linux?  Are there minimum memory requirements, software that needs to be installed?
6. What browsers does it work with?  Does it require Javascript, Java, ActiveX, Flash, Shockwave or plugins
7. What are the strengths of this software application?
8. What are the weaknesses of this software application?
9. Provide at least three examples of how you might use this  in your science teaching.
10. Include any tips for science teachers.
11. Any other comments

You can consult the following evaluation forms from ISTE to help you with your review. http://cnets.iste.org/teachers/t_rforms.html

Scoring Guidelines - You will receive one point for including information on each of the criteria mentioned above, for a maximum of ten points.