How We Choose

Most of us have been in the teaching field for over twenty years and more importantly have long been involved with educational software and multimedia technology in our capacities as teachers, reviewers for school boards, and as developers of software and technology based curriculum for schools. Many of the programs we have selected come from our hands on experience, by watching students engage with the programs and having noticed what real learning has taken place.

We only post reviews of programs that we think are worth considering (that's why you won't see low ratings). We are evaluating the programs both in terms of the criteria below and in relation to other comparable programs. We also update ratings on programs that have been available for a while and will remove any profiles of programs that we feel are no longer "best of breed". More importantly than the ratings is evaluating for yourself the program from the information in the profiles, as you know best who this is going to be for.

These are our main selection criteria.

1. Ease of Use - Can the child operate the program with little outside assistance)

2. Educational Value - What specifically will the child really learn from the program, either through first time exposure to a skill or an area of knowledge, or through a practice experience of specific skills.

3. Engagement Value - Is the program fun to use for the child each time they play the program. (vs. a one time wonder) Do they want to use it again? Also does it build a positive disposition towards learning?

4. Depth Of Content - Does the program have sufficient depth that the child wants to play it again and that they will learn more through repeated use.

5. Multilevel Learning - Does the program self adjust or easily set to respond to the level of skill of the user. Can it challenge a range of skill levels

In coming to a view of "good to excellent" on any of the above criterion, we are considering

1. The response we have seen from children to the program and listening to their own observations

2. What we have noticed that the child is learning or gaining from the program.

3. How good is this program compared to other software programs we have seen, in the same area of learning and for the age level.

The Bottom Line - We are presenting you with the best programs we have seen in each of the learning areas and by age. We are also providing you with the descriptive information, that can help you make your own choice, that will be right for your child.