Monday, March 21, 2011

Productivity Software Evaluation

Software Title: Thinkwave.com
Vendor: Thinkwave, Inc                Cost: Ranges from $149.00 - $2,799.00/ year depending on # of     students.
Description: Online Grade book with places to upload homework, grades and keep up with attendance.
Notes on Use: very similar to e-learning.
SOFTWARE
FEATURE
1
POOR
2
BELOW AVERAGE
3
AVERAGE
4
ABOVE
AVERAGE
5
EXCELLENT
Documentation

4
Documentation is excessively technical and/or difficult to follow
Documentation is generally understandable but not very user-friendly
Documentation is user-friendly and reasonably easy to follow
Clear documentation that is logical and easy to follow
Very clear, user-friendly documentation that leaves no questions
Technical Support

3


No local or toll-free telephone support available
No local support; phone support available for an hourly fee
Local tech support and phone support available for modest fees
Local tech help available for modest fee; no-charge phone support
Local help and toll-free support readily available at no charge
Multiple Users

5
Cannot be used by more than one user
Usable by multiple users if per-user licensing is purchased
Payment of a relatively small fee allows multiple users
No additional fee but allows addition of up to 10 users
Comes with permission for multiple users
Help Features

3
Few or no help features available
Help limited to a Help or Read-Me file on Installation CD or website
Clicking a help button provides on-screen assistance with common problems
Help button is context sensitive and provides clear help
Highlighting and clicking area of difficulty brings up a related Help feature
Tutorials

4
No tutorials provided
Tutorials may be ordered with a fee
Limited tutorial provided on a CD or may be requested without charge
Tutorials offered as an online option or on a CD
Extensive online and CD based tutorials provided
Administrative Features
4
Lacks some of the commonly included basic features
Only basic features are included
Basic features and additional features are included
Includes most of the features desired
Comprehensive features included
Multiple Platforms

5
Works on only one operating system
Although purchased for one platform, versions for other platforms may be purchased
Program will run on multiple operating systems; features may vary with platform
May be used on multiple platforms; features similar although not identical
May be used on multiple platforms with consistent features across platforms
Conversion/Import/Export Features

4
No provision for conversion between software
Cannot be imported or exported into other programs but can be converted into a few of the more popular formats
Can be converted, imported, or exported into programs by major vendors
Easily converted into common formats; maintains most of format features
Fully compatible via conversion, import, and export with all vendors
All Needed Applications (If a suite or Integrated Software)

4
Missing many applications that are needed
Some needed applications missing from package
Most of the expected applications are included and compatible with each other
All basic applications included and fully integrated
Includes applications beyond those needed; full integrating within suite and compatible with other vendor software
Hardware Compatibility

5
Requires upgrades for some hardware to work on all machines
Requires limited upgrades to some machines
Will work on most machines without upgrades
Works acceptably on all machines without upgrades
Maximum performance with no hardware upgrades required on any machines
Cost

3
Expensive when compared to other vendors
Cost is relatively high when compared to other vendors
Average cost
Reasonably priced, includes some discounts
Special pricing for educational users.

Website Review: Zoho.com

Today I was introduced to Zoho.com today in class. This is a tool that can be used in buissnesses or in the classroom.
When you go to the Zoho home page, you can click on the "Productivity Apps" tab. There you can find links to many useful tools such as planners, calenders, and notebooks. These tools can help teachers be more productive in the classroom because it keeps alot of important things together in one place so it is easier to find in a hurry.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Buying a computer and Using Live Classroom

 
Items
Quantity
Price
Smart Board- Model 885ix
1
$ 6,449.00
Computer- Dell Insperon 570
2
$ 959.98
Monitor- Dell Ultrasharp U2410 24 inch wide screen flat panel
2
$ 998.00
Keyboard/Mouse- Logitech wireless Desktop MK320
2
$ 63.98
Personal Laptop- Inspiron 15- Intel
1
$ 399.99
Printer- Hp Officejet 4500 All-in-one- G510g (CB867A)
1
$ 69.99
Flash drive w/ Lanyard
1
$20.00


Assignment #5- Buying a Computer and Using Live Classroom

            I would like to propose that we as a department get the following pieces of technology. First I believe a SMART board system will be very beneficial to the classroom. It will encourage students to get involved in the class and promotes hand on learning. Because the SMART board system has a built in projector and a white board, there is no need to purchase a projector and there would be more room to work problems in the classroom. Along with the SMART board I would like two desktop systems (computers, monitors, keyboards, and mice) for the classroom. This would be beneficial for the students because they can learn how to use computers and research topics that they are curious about by themselves.  For teachers I propose that each educator have a laptop that they can use for class to email other teachers and parents. It would also be helpful with organization and other matinence work. Each classroom should also be equipped with an All-In-One Printer-Scanner-Copier. The printer and copier will help congestion in the copy rooms and the scanner will help with organizaton in the classroom. Teachers will be able to scan all worksheets, tests and quizzes and keep copies in their computers. If the department was granted theses pieces of technology, I think that students would have more fun in school and therefore excel further.