A methodology for educational software evaluation (ESE)

Abstract

The pace to which the new technologies are being included in the educational context demand from teachers to develop skills to use technology and to evaluate educational software. Hence, the use given to technology for educational purposes will greatly depend on teachers’ knowledge and management of it. Our objective is to propose a methodology for educational software evaluation (ESE) that includes four criteria (technical, didactic, functional and economical) as well as seven techniques for ESE. Finally, a complete model of the integration of those aspects in six steps to follow in any evaluation process is presented. This methodology can be defined as a whole, simple, qualitative approach, suitable for the evaluation of software of any subject and easy to use even by inexperienced teachers. The authors do not expect this methodology to be a unique formula for ESE but to offer a guideline for teachers to perform the task. It will be the teacher’s decision to adapt this model to his group’s needs, pedagogical approach and goals.