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.

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.