Title: RnR Spelling 1.3
Overall Rating: B+
Source: http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/khughes/rnrspelling/
Playing Time: It would take a K-6 student anywhere
from 40 minutes to an hour to study ten words.
Software Release Date: April 2002
Cost: $ Free to download from http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/khughes/rnrspelling/
Operating System: Windows
98
Number of Players: One player at a time.
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: This particular
software is user-friendly and does not require special equipment or facilities.
Subject Area: Spelling
Objectives: This program uses a "Look, Cover,
Write, Check" method of learning for students to spell words more accurately.
Brief Description: The RnR Spelling 1.3 uses four
disctinct steps to help a child learn to spell accurately. This program allows
ten words at a time which create the specific list for he student to study. The
parents initally creat this list by typing in the specified words. The child then
analyzes the first word, clicks the "Cover" tab, which then completely
covers the word. The child clicks the "Write" tab and then proceeds
to write the word in the text box given. A "Check" tab is then clicked
which visually compares the word the child typed after studying it and the word
the parent entered to the list at the beginning. The child goes through these
same four steps for every word on the created list.
Entry Capabilities Required: Students must be able
to control the mouse, click on the spot they need to go, and enter text.
Rating: (1 "poor"- 5 "excellent")
Relevance to objectives: (5) This program does
meet the intended objectives by allowing students a distinct format to improve
upon their spelling capabilities.
Provides practice of relevant skills: (4) This
program provides practice of skills through repitition of looking, learning,
writing, and checking their work.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: (3) This program
offers a strict format for students to study. Such repition might cause boredom
after long periods of time.
Likely to be comprehended clearly: (5) The activities
are well designed to improve young students abilities in spelling.
Technical quality (durable, attractive): (3) This
program is simple to use, yet does not provide much visual attractiveness. There
could possibly be more color and graphics added.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather than
chance): (5) In this program there are no
winners or losers, it is simply used to increase a students accuracy in spelling.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic, accurate
depiction): (3) This program is realistic
yet not animated in any sense.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results):
(4) The evidence of effectiveness, so far as I could see, is based upon reviews
by users (either parent or children) and myself. The users opinions were reviewed
by CNet, which describes this program as a "child-friendly tool" and
"excellent reinforcement." In my own experience using this software
I felt that reinforcement was a key factor in improving the students spelling
abilities, both visually and through continual writing of the specific words.
Clear directions for play: (4) This program is
simple in use and for every word to be studied requires thr same basic four
steps: look, cover, write, check. Through repitition, the students will gain
more confidence in running this program.
Effectiveness of debriefing:
(4) The debriefing comes into play when the children obtain the knowledge through
repititon of improving their spelling capabilities.
Strong Points: The activities
in this program allow the word lists to be completely customisable, so the child
can match what he/she is required to do for school.
Weak Points: The weakess
point in my opinion is the fact that this program is very repititious. A student
may become bored and uninterested after using this program for long periods of
time.
Reviewer: MaryBeth LaFreniere
Position: Student (IT Course 518)
Date Reviewed: 6/4/04
Computer System Reviewed on: Compaq MV 520