Name of reviewer (your name): Fabiola Epigmenio Leandro

Name of the Website: Starfall

Educational Product/Software Selected: Help children who are struggling in
Reading, Math, or Phonics.
Web Address to the Product/Software: http://www.starfall.com
Publisher: Blue Mountain Arts
Grade Level: Pre-K to 3rd Grade
Provide a brief description of the product/software: The Starfall Education
Foundation is a publicly funded, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is a free
created, low-cost experiences that enable children to succeed in learning through
exploration. On the Starfall website and Starfall classrooms, children enjoy
learning in an environment of collaboration, surprise and play. It is taught through
positive reinforcement so that children are confident, intrinsically motivated and
able to succeed.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the product/software? One of the
many strengths Starfall has been they make learning fun in which children are
eager to gain more knowledge and be prepared for what is to come. Starfall has a
lot of exciting new activities which will guide and help each student. One of the
weaknesses Starfall has been it is not free for everyone; I believe it should be free
because it is an app created to help and guide children. Apps like this should be
free for everyone because knowing it has to be paid in order to have access to it,
children would have an increased possibility of not wanting to learn or conquer
their struggles.
Is the product/software easy for you and the students to use? Explain. The
software is easy to use for both teachers and students. Teachers can pay in order
for the students to have free and easy access to the website, it is a great way to help
students defeat their struggles and find their potential. By gathering more
knowledge, it will anticipate students to learn more about each topic that is
available for them, and teachers will be able to see each student’s progress.
Does the software serve its intended purpose, which is classroom use? Explain.
Yes, the software serves its intended purpose in classroom use. Starfall would be a
great application to use during Math or Reading to help students build their skills
and/or help them with any struggle she/he might have whether it is in Math or
Reading. Starfall has additional fun activities for students to engage with. Starfall
teaches young students their learning difficulties by using games and phonics.
Are there multiple forms of media (audio, video, and textual communication
channels) that
encourage the student to engage with the software? Explain. Yes, there are
multiple forms of media that encourage students to engage with the software. In
Math, there is a model with numbers that helps students solve their current Math
problem. If the student gets the answer right, there is a ding to help encourage
students to continue their math path. If the students get the answer wrong, the
model explains how to do the math problem and then gives a similar math problem
to do again. Starfall encourages students to keep going and not give up no matter
how hard it might get.
Is the documentation for the product/software, such as technical support,
instructions on how to
use the product, and hardware requirements presented clearly on the
website? Explain. Starfall is good technical support because it helps students with
their struggles and if students need additional support, Starfall offers additional
help for those who need it. Whenever starting a math problem, reading a book,
phonics, there is always demonstration on how to do so, that way students will
know what to do. There are no requirements needed for this software, only for
parents and teachers to purchase a certain package in order for students to explore
and learn the whole application.
Is the software adaptable to support specific accessibility needs of learners
with disabilities?
Explain. Yes, there is additional support for students with disabilities and Starfall
offers help for students with disabilities. Starfall offers another extended index.
Screen reader compatible, keyboard accessible, and fully labeled custom activities
make it easy to navigate.
Does the software program give appropriate feedback to responses
(assessment)?
Can the skill levels be adjusted by the student/instructor? Explain. Starfall
doesn't have ratings, but whenever a particular problem is solved, whether it's
math, reading comprehension, or phonetics, there's a model that explains how to
solve that problem, and then another problem to solve again. Whenever a student
has mastered a certain skill, they struggled before teachers will know
automatically. If students still continue to struggle, the teacher can find another
way to help support the struggling student.