Title:
The Family Circus Presents Lyric Language Spanish
Overall Rating:
B (No online demo was found)
Source: (Software Cabinet, School of Education,
SUNY Potsdam)
Playing Time: Over 40 minutes
Date: 1992
Cost: $33.95 (http://store.yahoo.com/langquest/lyrlanspan.html)
Operating Systems: Both Windows 98 or
MAC
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: None
unless head phones desired.
Subject Area: Spanish
Objectives: Foreign Language Acquisition.
Brief Description: Basic Spanish-Interactive
with some feedback features.
Entry Capabilities Required: Basic Spanish.
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 5-This program
seems to have been created for younger children. The songs and story
formats are very pre-school/elementary in subject, but still effective
for basic Spanish.
Provides practice of relevant skills:
5-The program takes the student through several scenes: The beach, the
zoo, the birthday party, etc. each with a story that is sung both in English,
then in Spanish. While the story is being sung the words are scrolled
across the screen which displays various still pictures or video.
There are options to work easy or hard lessons. There are puzzles,
multiple choice questions, and review.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 5-Mostly
younger children.
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 5-Yes.
Very basic Spanish.
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
5-Good quality, easy to use, allows pausing the program if needed, or rewinding.
The sound effects are appropriate with the video/stills.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): 4-Program is based upon comprehension
of Spanish translation. The multiple choice section is a good practice
for the review/testing of the language.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): 4-As far as it pertains
to the translation of the language.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results):
Dependent upon the practical use of language acquisition.
Clear directions for play: 5-Directions
are very simple to follow.
Effectiveness of debriefing: 3-After completion
of the lessons there is no clear feedback as to how the student performed.
Strong Points:
Good starting point for Spanish language beginners because the various
story settings are repeated throughout all the lessons. So every
time the student tries a different section of the program, the student
has a general grasp from the previous presentations.
Weak Points: The
cuteness of the program (Family Circus) is not suitable for a school secondary
program. It is too adorable for secondary students and infantile
in its presentation. Older students would be more comfortable using
this program at home when their friends are not watching.
Reviewer: Lucy Davie
Position: Student/EDUC 410
Date: 21 February 2000
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
G3 233, 64mb ram.