Educational Software

Software Publishers | Software Distributors | Software Reviews

Many of the following software titles are listed in Appendix D of the National Educational Technology Standards for Students: Connecting Curriculum and Technology text. The software applications listed below are cited in many of the activities and units outlined in this useful resource, much of which is published online at the National Technology Standards web site. However, how these resources are applied instructionally will determine their usefulness and the degree to which they are aligned with the curriculum standards. This list is only a representative sampling of available application software for educators, and is not meant to be all-inclusive. 

David Jonassen in his book, Computers as Mindtools for Schools: Engaging Critical Thinking, promotes the idea of using computer applications as "cognitive tools" to involve learners in multiple modes of thinking. To use computer applications as mindtools, the learner is required to represent what he or she knows by thinking in meaningful ways in order to use the application to construct knowledge. Consequently, Jonassen maintains that the most effective ways to use computers are to use them to access information, and to interpret, organize, and represent personal knowledge. Many of the software applications listed below are useful in meeting this criteria.

3 star rating The following software is rated as extremely useful:

CAD (Computer Aided Design) Applications

  1. Delta CAD (www.dcad.com) Shareware 
  2. Home Plan (www.homeplansoftware.com) Shareware 
  3. 3D Home Architect Deluxe by Broderbund  
  4. 3D Home Design by Broderbund  

Database Applications

  1. Appleworks by Apple Computer, Inc  
  2. ClarisWorks for Kids by Apple Computer, Inc.
  3. Filemaker Pro by Filemaker, Inc.  
  4. Microsoft Access by Microsoft Corp.  
  5. Microsoft Works by Microsoft, Corp.  
  6. Tabletop and Tabletop Jr. by Broderbund (The Learning Company)  

Desktop Publishing Applications

  1. Adobe PageMaker by Adobe  
  2. Easy Book Deluxe by Sunburst Communications  
  3. Multimedia Workshop by Knowledge Adventure  
  4. PrintShop Deluxe by Broderbund  
  5. Microsoft Publisher by Microsoft Corp.  
  6. Student Writing Center by The Learning Company  

Graphics Applications

  1. Adobe Illustrator by Adobe  
  2. Adobe Photoshop by Adobe  
  3. Kid Pix Studio Deluxe by Knowledge Adventure  
  4. Paint Shop Pro by Jasc  
  5. Picture It! 99 by Microsoft Corporation  
  6. SuperPrint Deluxe by Scholastic  

Geometry and Logo Applications

  1. Cabri Geometry by Texas Instruments
  2. Geometer's Sketchpad by Key Curriculum Press, Inc.  
  3. Logo Plus by Terrapin Software, Inc.  
  4. LEGO Mindstorms Sets for Schools by LEGO Dacta
  5. Micro Worlds by Logo Computer Systems, Inc.  
  6. PC Logo by Terrapin Software, Inc.  
  7. Shape Up by Sunburst Communications  

Mapping Applications

  1. MapMaker Toolkit by Tom Snyder Productions
  2. Neighborhood Map Machine by Tom Snyder Productions
  3. Rand McNally TripMaker Deluxe by Rand McNally New Media  

Multimedia Applications

  1. HyperStudio by Roger Wagner (Knowledge Adventure)  
  2. Macromedia Director Academic by Macromedia
  3. mPower by Mindscape (The Learning Company)  
  4. Multimedia Workshop by Knowledge Adventure  

Presentation Applications

  1. Appleworks by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  2. ClarisWorks for Kids by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  3. Kid Pix Studio Deluxe by Broderbund  
  4. Microsoft PowerPoint by Microsoft Corp.  

Productivity Applications

  1. Appleworks by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  2. ClarisWorks for Kids by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  3. Kid Works by Knowledge Adventure  
  4. Microsoft Office by Microsoft Corp.  
  5. Microsoft Works by Microsoft Corp.  

Spreadsheet Applications

  1. Appleworks by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  2. ClarisWorks for Kids by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  3. Cruncher by Knowledge Adventure  
  4. Microsoft Excel by Microsoft Corp.  
  5. Microsoft Works by Microsoft Corp.

Web Authoring Applications

  1. Adobe GoLive by Adobe  
  2. Dreamweaver by Macromedia  
  3. FrontPage by Microsoft Corp  
  4. FrontPage Express by Microsoft Corp.  
  5. Netscape Composer by Netscape  

Word Processing Applications

  1. Appleworks by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  2. ClarisWorks for Kids by Apple Computer, Inc.  
  3. Kid Works Deluxe by Knowledge Adventure  
  4. Microsoft Word by Microsoft Corp.  
  5. Microsoft Works by Microsoft Corp.  
  6. Student Writing Center by The Learning Company  

Reference Applications

  1. American Heritage Children's Dictionary by Houghton Mifflin Interactive  
  2. American Heritage Talking Dictionary by The Learning Company  
  3. Comptons Interactive Encyclopedia Deluxe by The Learning Company  
  4. Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe by Microsoft Corp.  
  5. Encyclopedia Britannica Multimedia Edition by Encyclopedia Britannica  
  6. Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia by Grolier Interactive  
  7. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary by Merriam -Webster, Inc.  
  8. World Book Deluxe Edition by World Book  

Other Instructional Applications

  1. Amazing Animals by DK Multimedia
  2. Bailey's Book House by Edmark  
  3. Community Construction Kit by Tom Snyder Productions  
  4. The Factory Deluxe by Sunburst Communications  
  5. Life Science by Optical Data Corp.  
  6. Peterson Multimedia Guides: North American Birds by Houghton Mifflin Interactive  
  7. Sammy's Science House by Edmark  
  8. Thinkin' Things by Edmark  

 

 

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Last modified on: 01/06/05

© New England College | Created on June 20, 2000 

Web Contact: Joel Black | Faculty Contact: Debra Nitschke-Shaw