Standards II

Acquire, Analyze, and Evaluate Information

Identify task requirements, apply search strategies, and use current technology to efficiently acquire, analyze, and evaluate a variety of electronic information.

It seems that the vast majority of information today is obtained through some electronic medium. Everyone must not only find efficient ways of acquiring this information, but at the same time be aware of the need to evaluate the items and their sources. As a teacher, I always need to evaluate software, assessing its qualifications for the job at hand. Projects similar to this one have taught me some of the basic elements needed for this evaluation. I have learned to seek many different sources, to attempt to locate reviews of the product, and to organize my analysis of software or any other type of information by categorizing the desired elements. The final decision on software, though, must be made by applying it to a task, as this assignment demanded.

Caption 5

Indicators: 7.8s, 7.9s, 7.11s, 7.12s, 7.15s, 7.41s, 8.5s, 8.39s, 9.2s, 9.8s, 9.12s, 11.16s, 11.7s

Artifact #5

Descriptors: Analyze; Evaluate; Test and apply software; Use electronic search techniques

Title: Sound Software Discussion

Course: Multimedia 103

Date Created: February 28, 2003

Source: Internet sources and my own application of the software and techniques

Media: Adobe Acrobat PDF

Description: Searches on the Internet were conducted to locate and evaluate sound editing software for the purpose of comparing on the basis of price, features, formats excepted and generated, capabilities and system requirements. To justify my review, I applied the program to a multimedia assignment requiring sound editing. Once this was done, I shared my information with other students and I read their evaluations and reviews of other sound editing software.

Rationale: Before purchasing software, one should be aware of its price, the ease of use, the features it affords, the file formats that it accepts and generates, and how the program will work on one's system. Reviews are the first step, and applying the program, if given a chance, is the second and most valuable step in making good decisions.

Implications for future: Evaluating software is always the job of a teacher who must decide which to use in the classroom and which also fits the budget of the school. Each year I am presented with a budget for software. I will apply my evaluation skills in trying to determine which is the best product to buy for our school or for my class.

Reviewers Comments: "Beverly, the information was AWESOMe. I printed off your table...my MM classes and I are about to jump into Sound Editing...I really can't wait....Thanks for the info."

Reviewer Name: Leah Franco
Title: Channel One Learner
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2003