Software Evaluation: A Review of ALLINONE LANGUAGE FUN

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Software Evaluation A Review of ALL-IN-ONE
LANGUAGE FUN

• BY ELISA WELCH
• EDTEC 350/550

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EVALUATION GOALS
My goal in this evaluation is to determine how
well the software can be integrated into the
curriculum, how effective it is as a learning
tool for middle school students, and how
beneficial it will be if purchased by the school.

• How useful is the software for middle school age
  children?
• Are the Standards for Foreign Language Learning
  being met?
• Are the NETS standards being met?
• Is culture being incorporated into the content of
  the software?
• Is there a way to evaluate how the students are
  doing with the software?

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About the Software

• All-In-One Language Fun is designed to teach
  words and phrases in five languages to children
  grades 6-8. It was published in 1995 by Syracuse
  Language Systems, and is designed for both
  Macintosh and Windows systems. It is easy to
  install, and once the directions in the booklet
  are read, it is easy to navigate. It provides a
  variety of activities centered around various
  topics, such as food or numbers. Here is a link
  to the software publishers site and a review of
  this software
• Syracuse Language Systems Program

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NETS and All-In-One Language Fun

• This software does not incorporate many NETS
  standards in its application. The software is
  very easy to use, so the students are not going
  to further their knowledge of technology much.
  Almost every activity is individual. There is no
  opportunity to collaborate with others, and share
  with an audience. The software seems too basic to
  cover anything more than just vocabulary drills
  and games. I do think, however, that anytime
  students use technology in any form they learn
  responsibility and develop positive attitudes
  towards technology. This software does enhance
  learning, especially of vocabulary, and increases
  productivity, because the students can work at
  their own pace.

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Standards for Foreign Language Learning and
All-In-One Language Fun

• Out of the five areas for the FLL standards,
  this software only covers one the Communication
  Area. This area has two main points, and the
  software only really addresses point 1.2, which
  states that the students will be able to
  understand and interpret written and spoken
  language on a variety of topics. ALL-IN-ONE
  Language Fun does cover many topics, and the
  students are able to hear native speakers
  pronouncing the words and sentences. The software
  does not do a good job of addressing the other
  areas of community, culture, connections, and
  comparisons.

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Pros and Cons

• PROS
• Covers a variety of topics
• Students can work at their own pace
• Everything is spoken in native language by native
  speakers
• The games are not too long
• Vocabulary is given alone and in a sentence
• Easy to navigate through different menus

• CONS
• Some of the games might be too simple for middle
  school age group
• Culture is not addressed.
• There is no way of evaluating how the students
  are doing
• There is no significant progression from the easy
  games to the hard games
• Directions are not given at the beginning of each
  game

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Connection to a relevant lesson plan

• This lesson plan describes how the software can
  be applied to curriculum. Basically, it can be
  used as a portion of a daily lesson as a way of
  emphasizing new vocabulary, or as a way of
  reviewing before a test. In this lesson plan, I
  used the software as a way of reviewing
  vocabulary before continuing with the daily
  lesson.

Las Alcobas
Click here for a link to the lesson plan
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Should We Purchase?

• While I do not think that this software does a
  bad job of teaching words and phrases, I do not
  think that it does an exceptional job either. If
  we are to purchase foreign language software for
  our school, I want it to be something that can be
  incorporated into all levels of language
  learning. This software would only really be
  applicable in level one. I feel the students
  would benefit more from software that provides a
  better connection to culture and context.
  Technically, the software is easy to install and
  run, but it doesnt leave much room for
  technological growth in the students.

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Software Acquisition

• Software located in Bracken, downstairs in the
  Education Resources area
• I was not able to find a price for the software
  on-line. This leads me to believe that it might
  not be available to buy anymore.