Software Design

Developmentally appropriate programs are designed around strong content that is interesting, engaging, addresses a range of topics, and relates to real-life experiences and imaginative situations.

Appropriate content goes beyond popular cartoon characters to address cognitive abilities that require children to make decisions and judgments. Software invites children's exploration and creative thinking. Well-designed software gives children time to pause and reflect, rather than presenting an overload of sensory stimulation. Software is enjoyable to children and sustains their interest, encouraging them to use their imagination.

Well-designed software provides options to set program levels appropriate for a child's individual preference or ability. Children are able to control the speed of their experience. High quality children's software contains variable option settings which promote adaptations for use by children with disabilities.

Information on best practices in creating software for children can be found at the research division of Microsoft.

Is this computer broken or what? Microsoft research on designing software for children.
http://research.microsoft.com/ users/marycz/druin98.htm

Software Features Which Promote Adaptations

Language (choices other than English)
Sound
- on/off
- volume control
- auditory cues
- music
- sound effects
Presentation options
- a number of choices
- variety of skill levels
Scanning (a systemic series of hotspots)
- on/off
- set time before prompting
- set number of choices for scanning array
- set time delay between scans
Prompts
- on/off
- set time before prompts begin
- set time between prompts
- choices for video and/or audio prompt

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Design Elements of Children's Software

Sound (Audio)

High quality interactive software often allows voices, music, and other sounds to be recorded. Programs contain interesting, appropriate sounds and music related to the content. Any speech contained in software is clear of distortion and understandable.

While volume can be controlled using the computer's own media system, high quality software programs allow volume to be controlled from within the software.

Most computers have ports which allow external speakers or headphones to be used to listen to sounds, and ports to attach microphones which can record someone's voice.

Audio should be designed so children can interrupt it at any time with a mouse click.

Graphics

Graphics comprise non-photographic images on the computer. Graphics can be black and white, such as line art, or color, such as cartoon images. Graphics can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional (3D).

Well designed graphics serve several functions: they create visual interest; assist with navigation elements by providing visual cues; reduce eye strain; create an artificial 'environment' which can stimulate the imagination; and provide a visual target for cause-effect 'event' widgets (i.e., creating interactive elements which trigger an event when the cursor is moved on top of, or clicked on, such as buttons).

Quality software for children should be comprised of well-drawn images that are engaging to young children. Widget images should be explicit or metaphorical and easily identified. Items are high contrast, and resolution is of high quality. Color choices avoid color combinations which create difficulty for low-vision users (such as red text on a blue background).

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Pictures (Photographs)

If photographs are used, they are clear. As much as possible, real photos are used to help children relate content to their own experiences.

Animation

Animation, when used properly, can engage children in a way that encourages learning. Animations in children's software is related to the content.

Animation routines are smooth and predictable. Animations happen instantly upon event triggers, and are developmentally appropriate. Animations are able to be controlled independently by users. Speed of animations are designed to be adjustable according to the skill level of the child.

Animations are able to be turned off by the child using mouse clicks or an adaptive device.

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The Desktop

The desktop, or user interface (aka GUI) provides the backdrop for a given software program. Well-designed software desktops are simply designed with appealing colors.The graphic desktop of the program should be free of decorative elements that distract from the content.

Desktop elements contain navigation elements which are explicit or metaphorical and easily located. All program controls appear in a consistent location throughout a program, and have a predictable response to an event trigger from the child's input device.

The desktop is designed to limit access to inappropriate event choices (i.e., a button that allows a child to access the hard drive and alter files). Desktop management software is available to help provide a child-friendly desktop for the computer screen.

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Types of Software

Commercial Programs

School districts may spend most of their technology budget on hardware, leaving little money for software. Resources must be used wisely in purchasing software that will meet the needs of a variety of children. Software, such as open-ended programs, HyperStudio, Logo, Kid Pix, and IntelliPics Studio, can be individualized and serve many different functions. These types of programs may be preferable with a limited budget. Many software programs have a reduced cost for the 'educational version.'

Shareware and Freeware

In addition to commercial programs, there are also programs that can be copied for free or for a small amount of money. Shareware is software that is produced with the intention of being copied and shared. A small payment is usually expected for use of the program. Some developers use the honor system, leaving it up to the user to send in payment for the software. Other developers program the software for a set number of trials and require users to contact them to continue using the program, at which time the user is billed.

Freeware or public domain software are programs that can be copied for free. Public domain programs are not copyrighted and can be modified by the user. On the other hand, freeware is copyrighted software that cannot be sold or modified.

The Internet is a valuable resource for software. Shareware is available for downloading from websites.

CNET Shareware
http://shareware.cnet.com/ Tucows
http://www.tucows.com/

CNET Downloads
http://www.download.com/

Freeware Home
http://www.freewarehome.com

A search is needed at shareware web sites to find early childhood software that is developmentally appropriate.

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Legal Responsibilities of Software Users

It is not always appropriate or legal to copy or share software with others. Although software is relatively easy to copy, there are laws which protect the software producer's rights. U.S. Copyright law specifically addresses the purchase, copying, use, and distribution of intellectual property.

U.S. Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov/

Software and Information Industry Association
Anti-Piracy web page on Copyright Law and Related Issues
http://www.siia.net/piracy/default.asp

Use of Intellectual Property in Education

Some intellectual property, including content, graphics, sound, and photographs, may fall under the 'fair use' principle for sharing for the purpose of education.

Fair Use for Teachers
http://www.nccei.org/blackboard/copyright.html

Understanding "Fair Use" for education.
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/mtss/fairuse/guidelines.html

U.S. Guidelines on 'fair use'.
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

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Software User Considerations

Making "Back-Ups"

A 'back-up' is a copy of a program or electronic file used if the original becomes lost, altered, or damaged.

Tips: Create a back-up of the software in case the original program is damaged. If a software company does not allow a back-up to be made, a second copy is usually available for a nominal fee.

Return Policies

Although return policies for software vary, most reputable companies will provide a refund for defective programs.

Tips: Complete any warranty or software registration card and return it to the company. Most companies also offer a help line, either through phone or at their website, to assist the user in solving software problems.

Upgrades

Software companies often have upgrades, patches (fixes), and lists of known conflicts on their websites.

Users who complete the software registration card are usually notified of software upgrades. Depending on the company, the software upgrade may need to be purchased for a small fee or it may be available as a free download from the company website.

ITLC Online -- -- http://www.wiu.edu/itlc/