MERLOT Evaluation of Software

Selected software to be evaluated: http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=225879

Quality of Content:

1. Does the software present valid (correct) concepts, models, and skills?

This software is valid in the concepts it presents.

2. Does the software present educationally significant concepts, models, and skills for the discipline?

This software is very helpful. These concepts and facts are usually difficult to find all in one place on the web. That makes this software a great resource for e-learning developers.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching-Learning Tool:

1. What stage(s) in the learning process/cycle could the materials be used?
1. Explanation or description of the topic/stating the problem

The software is best represented as the Explanation Process due to its informative and factual style.

2. Demonstration of the curriculum/exploration of the problem

Tutorials are available at the bottom of most of the modules.

2. What is(are) the learning objective(s)? What should students be able to do after successfully learning with the materials?

Students will have a better understanding of how to deliver content appropriately and accessible for learners of all kinds.

3. What are the characteristics of the target learner(s)

Target learners will be interested in creating effective and efficent e-learning courses.

4. Does the interactive/media-rich presentation of material improve faculty and students' abilities to teach and learn the materials?

I would not consider this material to be very interactive. Its style was best suited for a website type layout.

5. Can the use of the software be readily integrated into current curriculum and pedagogy within the discipline?

Absolutely. e-Learning developers should be aware of all the points covered in this software.

6. Can the software be used in a variety of ways to achieve teaching and learning goals?

This software could be used for several types of positions and useful to anyone working with online training.

7. Are the teaching-learning goals easy to identify?

The learning goals are very simply laid out right at the beginning. This also gives the learner the option of choosing what they wish to learn.

8. Can good learning assignments for using the software application be written easily?

Learning assignments might be short, but the evaluation and feedback opportunity is there.

Ease of Use:

1. Are the labels, buttons, menus, text, and general layout of the computer interface consistent and visually distinct?

Yes. Clean and simple.

2. Does the user get trapped in the material?

Not at all. This material is very easy to navigate and is well labeled.

3. Can the user get lost easily in the material?

Not at all. This material is very easy to navigate and is well labeled.

4. Does the module provide feedback about the system status and the user's responses?

No. The style of this software does not require feedback.

5. Does the module provide appropriate flexibility in its use?

Yes. Learners can choose topics that are relevant to them in the order in which they wish to learn them.

6. Does the learning material require a lot of documentation, technical support, and/or instruction for most students to successfully use the software?

Some of the tutorials may require the student to have or obtain specific software in order to practice. But the practice is not apart of the software.

7. Does the material present information in ways that are familiar for students?

Correct jargon is used considering the target audience. Content is organized well and easy to follow.