Finding and Buying Software Programs for Your CoursePurchasing & Approval Process
After determining that you want to use a software program in your class, first investigate the purchasing process for your department (if the students are not buying the software). Depending on the size, budget, and type of department, purchasing software can be as simple as buying it and requesting reimbursement, or the it might involve a full committee approval process with centralized purchasing.
Ask the department secretary or administrative assistants for guidance. If the process appears a bit complicated, check with a colleague who recently purchased software for a course.
When following an official approval and purchasing process, start early. Obtain and complete all paperwork so that, if approved, you have enough time to prepare your student materials and exercises or, if not approved, to pursue alternative plans.
Software Site Licenses
A common method for purchasing multiple copies of a software program is a site license. With a site license, the software must reside on school computers (i.e., on that “site”). The licensing agreement establishes how many copies of software were purchased, as well as where the software can be installed. For example, the agreement may state that you own five licenses to be installed on microcomputers but not on a network. Another example would be running five copies of the software on five workstations, where the software is installed on a network.
Before pursuing a licensing agreement, ask your department media technician and the central university technology services if they have already purchased site licenses for the software. You may be able to take advantage of "extra" licenses (already purchased) and buy them at a discount from your department or university.
Also, don’t forget to have your media technician evaluate the software installation process. Sometimes the licensing software or configuration is incompatible with the computer lab networking hardware or software. Ask your media technician to check this out.
When deciding how many licenses to purchase, remember to include one for yourself. As the instructor, you may be entitled to receive a free copy.
Software Educational Discounts & Versions
No matter where you buy software (online, in a computer store, etc.), ask if the seller can offer you an educational discount. Your school bookstore or computer store should offer significant educational discounts to anyone who has a school ID card. Find out if they sell a “student” or “educational” version of the software. Sometimes the educational version of a software program is “bundled” with a relevant textbook.
Types of Software: Trial Versions
Typically you will find 15- or 30-day trial versions of many software packages available on the manufacturers’ or the reviewers' Web sites. This type of software gives you an excellent opportunity to “try before you buy.”
Types of Software: Shareware and Freeware
In addition to commercial software programs, there are two types of software worth considering. When in need of fairly technical or scientific software, take a look at shareware and/or freeware programs. Shareware and freeware are rarely considered the standard within an industry or curriculum. Therefore, these types of software are appropriate only when your students need to learn the skills and knowledge acquired by using the software, and not the software itself.
A shareware program is an evaluation version of the program, of which there are two types. Many software manufacturers provide shareware that is really a 30-day trial copy. After the trial time period, you must buy the software.
Traditional shareware is distributed for free without time limitations. Usually, the author or company requests that you pay a small registration fee for each copy. This may also give you access to technical support or future discounts. It’s a good policy to pay shareware registration, since you are contributing to the future existence of the product. The creator also retains copyright ownership of the software.
Freeware programs are programs that the author or company allows you to use without payment. Keep in mind that if something does go wrong you may not have access to technical support.
Where to Find Software
Depending on the type and complexity of software, as well as your budgetary constraints, you may want to consider several methods for finding suitable software.
Word of mouth is often the easiest way to find software for a course.
Ask colleagues who are conducting research and/or teaching the same topics as you are for software suggestions. Talk with your media technicians; they are familiar with any software currently installed on the lab computers as well as any software they have evaluated for other instructors.
Depending on your software needs, consider contacting professionals who work on the professional side of your course, such as chemical engineers at a chemical engineering firm, information system specialists at a large company, etc.
You can also search online using search engines for software, software descriptions, features, and reviews. For specific scientific or mathematical software applications, investigate shareware or freeware software sites. Also consider looking at the computer magazine publisher sites providing software reviews. And of course, if you know what programs you’re interested in, visit the software author’s and manufacturer’s Web sites.
If you are using a textbook in your course, talk to your publisher’s sales representative and visit the publisher's Web site. Electronic supplements can be “bundled” with the book (be aware that your students will have to buy a new textbook). Also, check out the publisher’s Web site for online tools and exercises. If the book has an official Web site, you should find the URL in the front or preface of the text.
Lastly, keep an eye out for software advertisements in professional publications, journals, magazines, and online publications.
Software Return Policy
When reviewing software programs, note the software return policy. Shareware authors may not refund your registration money if you are dissatisfied.
Software Evaluation Process
Before beginning your purchasing process, decide how to evaluate the software. Look in the Download Depot under Course Management for a software evaluation worksheet to help you prepare your evaluation. Also visit the Tip Archive/Technology to read the article on evaluating and selecting software programs for your course.
