Software Evaluation

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Software Evaluation
2
New Software - Initial Process

• Feasibility Study
• Detailed analysis of user requirements
• Client/User needs .v. software capability
• Off the shelf package
• Or, bespoke specially-designed
• In-house or outside consultancy

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Choosing software

• Off the shelf packages
• Survey market place
• Who can supply?
• System requirements
• Functionality
• Does the package meet requirements?
• Can it be tailored?
• Demonstration
• Recommendation
• Personal, professional reviews
• Can it be seen working at another customer?
• Quality of support
• Shortlist
• Benchmarks

4
Software evaluation criteria

• Several factors need to be considered
• Will it do what you want?
• no use if it only does 80
• Compatible with existing hardware / software?
• Upgradable?
• Will it require expenditure on more powerful
  hardware, or extra staff to key in data?
• Quality of documentation
• manuals supplied?
• on-line help system?
• Ease of learning
• tutorials? books? training courses?

5
Software evaluation criteria

• Is it easy to use?
• pull-down menus, icons, helpful error messages?
• Technical support available?
• is it very costly?
• Cost
• includes original cost of package, technical
  support, and upgrades
• Speed
• can be measured using benchmark tests
• Upgradability
• If the company expands, can the software cope?
• Single system to network
• Is there a clearly-defined upgrade path?

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Evaluation Report

• An introduction outlining purpose
• Methodology used to evaluate software
• The actual evaluation
• Software capabilities
• System requirements
• Results of benchmark tests
• Upgrade facilities
• Compatibility with existing software
• ..
• Recommendations
• Justification for the recommended purchase

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Web Sites

• BECTA site for evaluating educational software
• www.becta.org.uk/technology/software/curriculum/ev
  aluation1.html
• American site for evaluating educational software
• http//www.teachervision.com/tv/resources/technolo
  gy/evalsoft_chart.html
• American web pages
• http//www.cs.umt.edu/CS/COURSES/CS111-zeiler/lect
  ures/software.htm
• http//kellysmusic.mb.ca/evaluating.html
• ZDNet
• http//www.zdnet.com/reviews/

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Exercise

• Use the Becta site to evaluate Algebra at KS3
  KS4
• Assess 5 products in terms of
• Functionality what does the software do?
• Platform, price
• Comment on the usefulness of the Becta site in
  terms of software evaluation