Instructional Software Evaluation
High School Advantage 2002
Literature and Spanish
Name of Software: High School Advantage 2002--Literature and Spanish
Vendor name: Swift Multimedia
Grade level: 9 - 12
Subject Area: Spanish
Tutorial
Disk: CD-ROM
Instructional Purpose: This software, while primarily using tutorials
such as the teaching of verbs and vocabulary, also uses drill/practice
and simulation to apply these verbs and the vocabulary. Students at
basic levels of Spanish will have to complete and participate in the
tutorials in order to properly understand the drill/practice and
simulations.
Use: This software would be very effective in any high school classroom
since it has three separate levels of proficiency. It would be a good
reinforcement to many high school textbooks, and would also seve to introduce
situational vocabulary for the first time. However, supplementary
vocabulary would be needed from the teacher for the students to get a broader
grasp of the vocabulary.
Strengths: This package sets a good foundation for the students' acquisition of
situational vocabulary. For example, the package offers vocabulary
on situations in which students may have to speak Spanish and understand
what is being said to them. This is great use of "real-life" Spanish,
and through tutorials (primarily), drill/practice, and real-life
simulations, students will increase their knowledge of verbs, vocabulary,
and grammar structures--all spoken clearly and grammatically correct
by native speakers of Spanish.
Weaknesses: Although this package does prepare students for real-life situations that they may encounter, it does not go in depth with vocabulary. The package makes good use of verb usage, but is lacking on actual vocabulary that may be seen in the simulations. Except for the "La casa" section (in which students can click on any object in a house and will be told what that object
is), the package is partially lacking on vocabulary.
Comments: This will be a great supplement to lessons taught in the textbook, or a starting point a certain chapter, but package is still dependent on more detailed explanation from teacher on subjects not mentioned herein.
This software can be found in the Education Technology Center, on the second floor of Wardlaw.