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Critical Reading Software Reviews

Title of Program

Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Effective Reading

Publisher or Producer

Merit Audio Visual, P.O. Box 392, NY, NY 10024, (212) 675-8567

Version and/or Date

1990

Setting (in classroom, small groups, etc.)

Individually in the lab

Potential Users

Grade 8 to adult

Computer

Hardware: PC Operating System: DOS

Checklist

(characteristics present indicated by x)
   Overall design of program is good
   Reading selections are long (several paragraphs).
   Reading selections are complete works rather than excerpts.
   Content of reading selections is appropriate for college 
       students.
   Tasks involve students in constructing ideas, rather than in 
   answering objective questions.

Reading Strategies

(items present marked by x)
   Previewing
   Accessing prior knowledge
   Establishing a purpose for reading
   Determining text structure and organization
   Asking questions
 x Defining terms as used in context
   Monitoring comprehension
   Using fix-up strategies when comprehension breaks down
   Paraphrasing and summarizing author's ideas
   Relating author's background to reading selection
   Determining author's purpose and attitude
   Relating ideas in reading selection to other ideas
   Evaluating the validity of the author's claims
   Collaborating with other ideas

Comments

   Students answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about a 
   paragraph.  Questions are multiple-choice.   
   Computer keeps records for each student.  Only
   small  sections of text can be seen at one time.  Program cannot be 
   exited at any time.

Evaluator

Sally Rings

Date of Evaluation

12/93

Critical Reading Software Reviews
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Maricopa County Community College District, Arizona

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