Educational Software

Much of the educational software for your child is temptingly bargain-priced. But look twice before you purchase. It won't be much of a bargain if it just sits on your computer table gathering dust.

Many of the software programs claim to "make learning fun". But if your child is concentrating more on the game than the content it's unlikely he's going to learn much. Some educational software is simply a game with a few thinly-disguised "learning objectives" thrown in.

Other software is produced without input of educational experts. Just because you went to school or helped your kids with their homework does not necessarily make you qualified to produce so-called educational software.

However, several studies have shown that educational software can help even a young child begin to learn-in combination, of course, with parental involvement and other forms of social and educational interaction.

If you decide to look for software, think about its long-range use. Are you looking for a stand-alone program, or something that functions as part of a whole series of software? Some programs have multiple CDs, one for reading, one for writing, math, chemistry, etc. The ideas and concepts taught on the reading CD may tie in with, for instance, the social studies CD.

Other programs do one specific thing, but do it quite well. Has the software been rated by anyone? Who rated it? Does the rating authority take advertisements? If you find the maker of the software you're considering a big contributor to the site that recommends it, further investigation is probably in order.

If possible, find ratings or recommendations from other parents. What age is their child? Did the software engage their child? What did they like or dislike about the program? Especially as the software you're considering becomes more expensive, unbiased ratings are more important.

If the educational software offers a trial or evaluation version of the program, get it. Most software is downloadable now, so download it, run it through your virus scanner, and if it's clean, install it. Obviously if it comes with a virus or spyware attached, you need to move on and find something else.

Especially for a young child, evaluate the software program for length. The younger the child, the shorter the attention span. Young children will need short, simple tasks that they can accomplish in minimal time; an older child can stay engaged in a longer, more complex task.

If your child is school-age, check with his or her school or teacher and find out what is being used in class. As the teacher what programs most interest the children. If it's reasonably priced, think about purchasing it. Before summer break, talk to one or more teachers in your child's next grade about the software used. If the students like it, it might make occasional good summertime "play" for inside times.

Besides commercial software programs, don't forget there are shareware and freeware programs available as well. Your child's teacher can recommend some, or you can check out the Education Resources Information Center at www.eric.ed.gov or the Shareware Connection at www.sharewareconnection.com.

Educational software can supplement your child's education-just don't forget that it's not designed to be a replacement for school or parental involvement. But it might make learning more fun.