#6 Find the best software: using Bloom’s taxonomy and multiple intelligences to select and use software

McKenzie, W (2003). Find the best software: using Bloom’s taxonomy and multiple intelligences to select and use software. Learning and Leading with technology. 30 (8) 54

When considering a software here are some guidelines that are important to consider: does it have tutorials, guided or independent practice, allows for assessment, has problem solving skills, good productivity and a good simulation?
After reading this article there are two considerations I find to be most important when choosing software for my class. The first is content. You can have a wonderfully built game that touches based with all types of intelligences, but if the software does not have the content, or does not teach the material I want to focus on, then the software would be useless to me. The second aspect that is most important to me is the design. The layout of the software is very important in how it delivers the information to the students. Does the design of the software respond well to student’s inputs, does it have different intelligences built in to assist different types of students? How will I apply the software back to my classroom? And does it challenge the level of my students without being overwhelming?

Software can have encompassing designs that include music and visual stimulations to students as part of the design of the software. Music and visual stimulations are often used in software to keep the student entertained and engaged. If the software responds well to student’s input, or is programmed to interact with the students it obtained a level of interpersonal or intrapersonal intelligences. Certain programs can even have verbal intelligences, like the language learning software where to program converses with the student, check for correct pronunciation.

http://homeworktips.about.com/od/learningstyles/ss/multiple.htm

This homework tips website defines different form of intelligences and how to incorporate them into better studying styles for different students. This website also maps out strong and weak points a student might have depending on the form of learning style they identify with the most.