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QEP
Meeting Minutes May 6, 2004
May 6, 2004
Meeting with Representative of PACE Software
Present: Dr. Cornell, Dr. Pearson, James Blair, Laura Brown,
Barbara Anne Spears
Dr. Cornell asked these representatives to meet with David Earp,
representative of PACE Software, to review the use of the
software for developmental education.
Math instructors had previously chosen I Can Learn software for
developmental math instruction; however, Dr. Cornell expressed a
concern about cost to the student. PACE Software has no
supplemental text and is therefore offered at no cost to the
student. Lessons have print-based material available for
purchase to use in conjunction with the software or in lieu of
the software.
PACE is not exclusive to math, but has programs for math,
language and reading, among others. Reading lessons start at the
5th grade reading level.
Pricing is based on the number of computers (number of software
packages) but an unlimited license is available is the college
buys over 40. Components (math, reading, language) can be bought
separately.
Features include a “branching” process in which a student begins
a lesson and if he/she has difficulty with a specific skill, the
software branches to a series of learning tools focusing on that
skill. Upon skill mastery, the student returns to the point in
the lesson where he/she branched away.
Blair expressed concerns about the program being entirely
visual; there is no auditory component. With the college’s new
focus on learning styles, this is not ideal. He was also
concerned about the extensive use of text in each frame, which
he believed may overwhelm a struggling student.
Software provides an accuracy rating to the instructor for each
student as well as information on the number of frames per
minute completed and a total of minutes worked. This allows the
instructor to better gauge the student’s process.
Earp reported that the program works well for learning disabled
student.
Appearance of the software on-screen is appealing and colorful.
Earp agreed to send Brown workbook pages, a teacher’s guide, and
other written material to review.
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