Topic 9 - Evaluation of the CATL Software

Evaluation on the CATL software is important because it can ascertain its effectiveness in teaching and learning.

Although the evaluation of the CATL software needs time to carry out, it is vital to ensure that only the right software is used in schools to achieve the set objectives. Failure in evaluation will result in the failure in implementing the CATL course software optimumly.(Shaifol, 2003).

Evaluation has to cover a number of aspects so that its weaknesses can be identified and and an accurate selection is carried out. The aspect that is evaluated depends on the reasons for evaluation. Evaluation is done to:

• Measure Suitability

When you measure the softwareÊs suitability for teaching and learning, it will help you to make a right selection. You have to take into consideration whether the software can help them achieve the learning objective, whether it is easy to use and if the software will interest the students.

As a consumer, the students participation is important so that they can make accurate conclusions and not based on assumptions. Evaluation is also focussed on the advantages of the software over other ordinary methods, extra material that needs to be prepared by students and if the teacher can have more time to interact effectively with other students.

• Giving Feedback

This entails giving feedback to the designer and creator of the software. The software developer is more interested in technical matters such as:

• Error
• Navigation
• Font Size
• Arrangement of elements into one screen
• Graphics layout
• Video and audio publishing

 The Criteria for Selection

In making the selection of course software, you have to make sure it qualifies all the important criteria. There are a number of methods that can be used to evaluate a course software such as:

• The Learning Object Review Instrument (LORT) suggested by E-Learning Research and Assessment Network,

• ESL Software Evaluation Form suggested by Robb, (1996).
• Buyers Worksheet suggested by Planning and Evaluation Service, S. Department of Education (2002).

Refer to Fig 9.1. We will discuss various criteria suggested by Evalutech in this sub topic. Evalutech is an initiative under the cooperation between North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and Southern Regional  Education Board.