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>First of all, what software is out there that we should have on our
>computers? Beyond that, is there a way to make use of this technology in a
>meaningful way in Torah studies classes?
Yitz,
Your question to the list will take a long time to unpack. Such answers
are not appropriate for e-mail, but I will do my best.
Re: more information about software
Before giving a direct answer to this question, I must briefly explain some
background information.
For the most part, Judaic software developed in North America is not
developed for the school market. Most titles have as their target
audience parents and grandparents who want to purchase Judaic software for
their children/grandchildren. This presents a challenge to North American
educators. There is a great deal of software developed in Israel for
schools, but you need Hebrew Windows to use it. The better products found
in North America are in the areas of Torah and Hebrew.
My preference is to use software that furthers the teaching objectives
found in the curriculum. Computer games can be used where appropriate.
We have too little time in school to just entertain our students with
Judaic games. If they want to play at home, all the better. We can extend
our students' Jewish learning time in that way.
To really do a good job of recommending software, a consultant would need
to spend some time looking at curriculum in each school. Titles that may
be appropriate for an Orthodox day school may not be appropriate for a
Conservative day school. (That is not a criticism or put-down, just a
statement of fact.)
Budgetary issues also need to be considered. What is the budget for
software? If you cannot buy everything, what criteria will you use to
pick and choose?
Students should be using age appropriate software. I have seen pre-K
students effectively use some of the software listed and I have seen pre-K
students just sitting and clicking away at computer screens without
internalizing very much worthwhile information. The same can be said for
students in higher grades. Carefully selected, age appropriate software
that is properly integrated into the curriculum is the goal.
The computer gives us unparalleled opportunities to help our students
visualize places and events in the Torah. Why just describe the
backbreaking work that B'nai Yisrael did in Mizrayim when your students
can go on line and see it for themselves? Take a virtual tour of the
Kotel Tunnels or Neot Kedumim. A list of Jewish virtual tours can be
found at [
www.jecc.org].
Databases are being effectively used to empower students to draw meaning
from word repetitions and word parallels.
These are dramatic shifts in how Torah is taught traditionally in our
schools. If you are really serious about integrating technology into the
curriculum - a great deal of professional development is required.
With all that as a quick and dirty introduction, I generally divide Judaic
software into four areas: Hebrew, core Judaics, holidays, and "just for
fun." I also divide between subject area software and productivity
software.
Without going into specifics about why I like or what I like about each
program (this e-mail would go on forever), here is a list of six programs
that should form the basis of your Hebrew software library:
1. Alef to Tav
2. Hebrew World
3. Triple Play Plus
4. Alef-Bet Schoolhouse Collection
5. Hebrew Game Time
6. Tashbetz
Without going into specifics about why I like or what I like about each
program, here is a list of seven programs that should form the basis of
your core software library:
1. Encyclopedia Judaica
2. ORT Navigating The Bible
3. The Judaica Press Complete Tanach with Rashi
4. Pathways Through Jerusalem
5. Lets We Forget, A History of the Holocaust
6. Brachot Boxes
7. The Bet Hamikdash
Without going into specifics about why I like or what I like about each
program, here is a list of three programs that should form the basis of
your productivity software library. Productivity software should be used
to generate original projects, such as brochures, restaurant menus, web
sites, etc.
1. Dagesh Professional
2. Microsoft FrontPage (or any other HTML program)
3. Microsoft Publisher (or any other desktop publishing program with
templates)
Without going into specifics about why I like or what I like about each
program, here is a list of two programs that should form the basis of your
"just for fun" software library:
1. Torah Tots
2. Jewish IQ Basketball
Other Notes:
1. Most of the software listed are Davka, TES or JEMM products.
Davka [
www.davka.com]
TES [
www.jewishsoftware.com]
JEMM [
www.jemm.co.il]
2. The Goldman Institute produces software for use in Jewish schools.
[
www.att.org]
3. The Internet is filled with sites devoted to Jewish holidays, history,
and tradition. Start by looking at:
Maven [
www.maven.co.il]
Virtual Jerusalem [
www.virtual.co.il]
4. A number of sites are building Jewish on line resources and teaching
suggestions.
JESNA [
www.jesna.org]
The Jewish Agency for Israel: Department of Jewish Zionist Education
[
www.jajz-ed.org.il]
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland [
www.jecc.org]
The Auerbach Central Agency for Jewish Education
[
www.libertynet.org]
5. A number of sites are compiling reviews of Judaic software.
The Goldman Institute [
www.att.org]
JOIN [
www.join.org.au]
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
[
www.jecc.org]
6. Your school should compile a separate software collection for use by
teachers to prepare their lessons.
The Bar Ilan Collection is expensive, but worth the money.
Even though we have just uncovered the tip of the iceberg here, I hope this
was helpful. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to
contact me.
Maury Greenberg
Director, Technology Resources
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland</HTML>
