FAQ
Answers
| Applets tend to dissappear or they need updated software on each computer that they are used on for the applets to work. Updating the software can be an onerous task as network administrators are often swamped with work requests. JABE Software are stand alone programs that need no extra files to be installed. They can often be run on even the slowest of machines. Most of the software has the ability to load specific experiments/examples can be loaded quickly for a quick demo or data collection. The programs also have more depth to the software then majority of the applets have. |
2. Why so cheap?
| Good question. Asking myself that question! My conclusion is this. Some people see cheap software and they think it isn't worth their time to purchase it since it isn't what they functionally want. Others see expensive software and it isn't possible for them to purchase it, so often no software is bought. My goal is to offer cheap software to fit the tight budgets that schools face and to get them convinced that cheap software can mean functional software. |
3. Why buy this software as opposed to others?
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I guess the best answer is that it can be quickly implemented in the classroom. It is very user friendly so very little class time is used for the students to learn how to use the software. They can start collecting data immediately. As well with the cost of the software so low you won't feel guilty not using it every day. The feature of copying and pasting the graphics also helps out in test creation, that other software and applets may not have. As well, it is a great resource just to have on the computer. I often buy books for resource and dig them out every now and again. The software is similar. It is a nice resource to have tucked away that you can use when you can. Think of it as is an interactive picture book. |
4. Since you wrote the software for your class to use, how do you use it?
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To start I should say what computers I have in the classroom. I have 2 pentium 90's with 64 MB's of RAM running windows XP (I hope to have newer ones this year sometime) and access to a 2 year old lab top. I have the software installed on the computers.
I use it mostly for demonstrations in front of the class. I use a data projector hooked up to the lap top and display it on a screen and answer "what if" questions with the software. It quickly alleviates some misconceptions the kids have with topics being taught. I also use it for extra help or as an extension for the gifted kids in the class. I can show them specific examples to help emphasize the key points. I have used it in a lab scenario as well but getting the computer lab booked can be tough to do. When I do use it in a lab scenario, the students can take the software home and finish off what they don't finish in class. As well, when it comes to test or quiz time I often use the software to create nice clean graphics for them. |
5. Can the software be run on a network?
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ABSOLUTELY!!! This is a great feature of the software. The Network Administrators will love this about the software. Just copy the file with the appropriate registration file into a network directory, as well as any experiment files that you want the students to use and you are good to go. No need to install the software on each machine The kids just need a shortcut to the program on the networked computer they are working on or even easier, a way to see the program directly and they can run it. The nice thing about networks as well, the students generally only have read only capabilities so the students won't be able to modify or delete any experiment files or registration files by mistake. |
Updated:Feb 2013