Evaluating computer software for early childhood education

Computers are being widely used in education. Successful use of computers means using appropriate software. Teachers need to selectively choose software by personally evaluating programs using a trustworthy instrument. Many teachers are not suffciently familiar with computer technology or language. There are many evaluation instruments available but few are in simple language and even fewer specifically deal with developmental appropriateness for early childhood education.

After examining research concerned with software evaluation and computer use with young children, a evaluation instrument was devised. A formative evaluation of the instrument was then conducted using a expert panel to make judgements to improve the instrument and begin to establish content and face validity. The responses obtained from the panel were considered and then incoporated in the redesign of the instrument. Further formative evaluation through field testing will update the instrument. Use of this instrument by early childhood teachers would help them select developmentally appropriate software and increase the effectiveness of the computer as an educational tool.