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Network
or Online Software — Making the Right Decision
John Brezinsky, Higher
Education
Marketing Manager
You’ve
decided to add a technology component to your ESOL program —
great! You need to choose between online software and software that is
installed on your school’s computer network. Before you decide,
you should consider the cost, student and teacher access to the
software, and the tools available to your instructors.
Cost
Network versions of software tend to run into tens of thousands of
dollars. The advantage is that this is a one-time purchase (which you
may be able to find grant money for). Online software is handled by
subscription and costs about the same or less than a workbook. Students
purchase their own access at the bookstore (instead of a workbook, for
example). This is a huge financial benefit for your school, because the
institution does not have to pay for the software. And with student
access, you only order the amount of access codes you
need each term — just like ordering books.
Access
If software is only available in your computer lab, you can
control student access to it. Your lab personnel can physically monitor
student use. The big disadvantage, though, is that students cannot log
on to do their homework from home or anywhere else. Online software
allows teachers and students to log on from any computer and gives them
greater flexibility in using it. Remember that with an online program,
students are getting the same practice they would get in the computer
lab.
Instructor Tools
Most network versions of software come with some useful teacher tools.
These include checking grades and monitoring class lists. Online
software, however, almost always brings much more powerful tools to
customize your courses, communicate with students, control homework,
and give better feedback on written or spoken work.
Conclusion
There is no best answer to the question of adopting network or online
versions of software. Check out descriptions of Pearson Longman’s
popular titles:
Decide which one is best for your teachers, your students, and your program. Contact your Pearson Longman representative for more information.
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