Software Evaluation

Software Evaluation # 3

Title of Software: Focus on Grammar
Producer: Marjorie Fuchs and Margaret Bonner
Target students: middle school and beginner adults
Proficiency level (beginning, intermediate, advanced): Three levels

Description:
This program is based on grammar materials, it is interactive and students are able to practice the language using the three elements of learning; reading, writing, and listening.
The student begins the exercises by practicing verb tense, irregular verbs, spelling rules, verbs followed by the infinitive (to + base form of the verb) and several other grammatical rules.

Practice Grammar Practice exercises utilize illustrations, word banks, charts, and other material to provide context or reference. Each unit has a unique mix of exercises, which allows the student to continually encounter new formats and exercise types.
Students are able to fill in the blanks in sentences, create sentences from a list of words and edit sentences. When the user sees a sentence with an error in the target structure, the user must correct the error by deleting it and typing in the correct replacement. Lastly students have to edit the paragraph; the user sees a paragraph or dialog with a specified number of errors. The user must correct the errors by deleting them and typing in the correct replacements.

Reading: The student also has the opportunity to practice reading. In the reading section users have to read a passage then complete a comprehension exercise, a cloze exercise and unscramble sentences from the reading.

Listening – In the listening exercise section, the student listens to a recorded passage. While listening to the recorded selection, the student uses basic understanding of the listening passage by clicking on a choice of topics, details, or ideas spoken about in the story. The student is able to listen to the recording as many times as necessary. The student has to fill in the blanks, by listening to sentences from the passage. Then the student listens to an entire sentence and they have to type the sentence.

Writing - In this section, the student is able to express their own ideas. Three to five topics for writing are provided. The screen becomes a word processor for the student's use. When completed, the writing selections can be printed out for a variety of uses such as peer-editing, teacher feedback and portfolio development.

Language skills targeted: This program is geared for English Language Learners but not only ELL students have problems with grammar. This program can be used by any student who is having difficulties understanding grammar.

Evaluation:
This program is a great tool to utilize in the classroom. Students enjoy working with this program, it keeps their attention and keeps them actively thinking. They can actually measure their success and see themselves improving their grammar skills. Specifically grammar tense such as simple past and perfect preset. It also has a variety of grammar skills for the student to work on and lots of topics mean that the student does not get bored as quickly. The only weakness I see in this program is it does not have too many colorful pictures or things to really keep the students attention. Students can get overwhelmed by so many phrases and constant grammar exercises. Otherwise is a great tool to use, especially as a follow up to a grammar lesson. Students are able to work at their own pace and have the ability to repeat a section as many times they want.