Name: Dennis Sartoris
Date Assigned: April 97
Date Due: May 97
Home Phone: 294-2936
Best Time to Call: after 3pm
Title: 123's Featuring the Counting Critters
Producer: Fisher Price in conjuction
with Davidson & Associates
Everything inside the package:
Please describe any other components not listed above (ex: hardware
interfaces such as a temperature probe):
The software is contained on a single CD-ROM disk
that is both Mac and PC compatable.
Please clarify anything that you feel is not clear from the section
above (ex: if the program comes with 3 program disks, 1 data disk and a
management disk):
The program includes an on-line fun book with pages of coloring and counting activities to print and work on while not at the computer.
Please list all menu choices (content-related only, NOT utilities). Write them according to the menu path you must take to get to them (ex: "Practice, Addition, 2-digit numbers", assuming each one of these three items was a menu choice). Assign each one of these an arbitrary "section" number, e.g. "O1":
Section Number * Menu Title (This program uses different screens with Toolbars and Buttons)
01 The Bus Stop Choose a Counting Critter to play
a game 02 Toolbars and Buttons Mode a)(Explore) & (Challenge) b)Help
Hand Button c)Sing-a-long song d)Bus Button 03 Game Window Controls a)number
pad, Plus sign & Minus sign b)Shape and color pad
Identify one or more from each group by writing an S if stated or an I if inferred next to the choice. If more than one are chosen in a group, specify the primary choice:
Computer and Model You Used: VIP GreenMotherBoard W/586 Intel 83MHz
Peripheral You Used: HP DeskJet 820Cse
Peripherals Recommended by the Producer or You: Sound
Card
Does the Producer specify in print who should use this? Yes
If you answered YES, quote exactly and cite page numbers.
Fisher Price 1-2-3-'s is a merry, musical journey
for 3-5 yr. olds that will teach them all they need to know about numbers.
Age: 3-5 Year Olds
Page Numbers: This quote was taken from the back of the package
Grade: Pre-School to Kindergarden
Prerequisite Skills or Ability Level: Basic mouse skills, ability to listen and follow directions, and distinguish different shapes and colors
User Groupings: Single or group instruction
If different than producers or if producer did not state. Give
reasons:
This program could be used with Preschoolers but not in a Kindergarden
class. The program may be to simple for children over the age of 4. However
this may not apply to all levels of ability in each indivdual case. In
addition the program requires the user the have exception mouse skills
to have any amount of success.
Prerequisite Skills or Ability Level: Fine motor skills and ability to control and click mouse (Double click Click and hold)
User Groupings: Single user or Paired Users
Describe the program structure: (ex: 10 games that provide practice in word attack skills at 3-5 difficulty levels, 15-20 minutes to complete a lesson) and give a two or three paragraph description of the program. Describe what the user actually sees on screen and does when using the program. Use as much space as necessary(use back of page for extra space).
Cite the page numbers(if any) in the documentation that contain a step-by-step description of what the learner sees and does from beginning to end.
The following questions should be answered on a scale of 1-5 and N/A(not applicable). If a program LACKS some feature that would be applicable, it should receive a rating of N/A, with an (*) next to it.
Explain: It s very difficult to grab obects
on the screen using the mouse without the proper fine motor skills and/or
mouse skills
How many learner objectives are stated? Where are they stated?
6 1)How to count from 1 to 10 2)Number sequensing 3)Relationship
of numbers to every day life 4)Shapes and colors 5)Number recognition in
written and verbal form 6)Math readiness This information is printed on
the packaging
In what follows, consider: adequacy and amount of information provided, instructional frames, educational activities, practice items, feedback, clarity, and accuracy:
Please add any comments you feel are necessary to explain or qualify
any of the choices you expressed, above:
I found the program as a whole to be somewhat
difficult for the age group it is intended for. Some of the screens are
very difficult to work through especially the Post Office on the Challenge
mode.
How much preparation time would an experienced teacher(experienced
with both computers and the subject area) need to use this program? Explain:
All that is required is a few hours to learn all
the aspects of this program and determine how it can be used to supplement
the learning of basic number skills.
Please list the numbers of the statements above that best represent
the major STRENGTHS of this program (maximum of 5). Address all areas:
content, approach, etc. Add any additional explanations that you feel are
necessary to clarify these statements (ex: give an example) OR to describe
a major strength that does not fit into any of the statements above:
1) CLARITY
2) AUDIO 3)APPROPRIATENESS FOR USERS SPECIFIED
BY PRODUCER 4)USER CONTROL 5) ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS
Please list the numbers of the statements above that best represent
the major WEAKNESSES of this program (maximum of 5). Address all areas:
content, approach, etc. Add any additional explanations that you feel are
necessary to clarify these statements (ex: give an example) OR to describe
a major weakness that does not fit into any of the statements above:
1) RECORDS/MANAGEMENT 2) APPROACH 3) LEARNING OBJECTIVES
4)EVALUATION 5)DOCUMENTATION
In order of priority, list up to 5 tips that teachers will find most useful in using this program:
1) Before having student use the Post Office have
them practice and develop mouse skills by using the Snack shop. 2)Before
a student attemps to use the Post Office have the student sort objects
similar to the program.
Please CIRCLE the appropriate rating: [Highlighted in red]
The following categories should be used in determining your overall rating of the program. They are not exhaustive but suggest the areas you should consider in making your judgments. All items may not be appropriate to use in rating all programs. Consider the scope and intended purpose of the program (ex: it may be inappropriate to penalize a simulation that has no management system):
Please justify your rating: Without a record
keeping system it is very difficult to track a students success using this
software. In addition the methods that are used seem to be inappropriate
when using the Concert Hall I cant't see what value that part of the program
has when tring to meet the goals they have outlined.