The evaluation of the softwares used in preschool education instutions by the preschool teachers in balikesir province

In this study, softwares used by preschool teachers in preschools within the Balkesir Province were evaluated, and the appropriateness of softwares was tried to be determined. Among the softwares included into the assessment are ?Ye!imin Yer Ve Zaman Evi?, Bilmi!in Bilim Evi, ?Do'a?, ?Konu!an Hindi?, ?Cingözün Kavramlar Evi?, ?Saylar Krall'?, ?Yaratclk Dünyas?. The data as regards the subject were obtained from the relevant literature and answers given to ?Softwere Evaluation Form?, which was developed through the study. Literature scanning was accomplished within a period of six months, during which local and foreign references were reachad. Through the data obtained as a result of literature scanning, a ?Softwere Evaluation Form? was developed. Before application of the form, it was first persented to a specialist?s view and re-designed. Follwing the final form of checklists, the softwares were applied to 77 of the preschool teachers serving in the Balkesir Province. Within the conceptual framework of the study, we dealt with the points such as Preschool Education Place and importance of computers in preschool education, characteristics of preschool teachers, educational softwares in computer- assisted education, properties that softwares need to have. In the assessment part, softweres were evaluated in line with the form developed by the researcher. As a result of this study it is found that, n vast majority of the softwares evaluated, written worksheets and supportive materials are inadequate. In addition, the objectives have not been clearly and precisely set down, and in most softweres, the content has not been properly made up. According to teachers, most of the sofwares have not been desingned in such a way as to develop the creativity of target population. Besides this, the teachers involved in the study had different knowladge levels on different subjects in terms of their use of computer.Although all of the teachers have taken computer courses during their education or working life, very few teachers use computer softweres in schools, which indicates that teachers have shortcomings in using new methods and techniques.