Title: Reader Rabbit's Preschool
Overall Rating:
A
Source: The Learning Company
Playing Time: Recommended use time
is twenty minutes; to complete a "Carnival" may take a few hours.
Date: 3-29-1999
Cost: To purchase call TLC at 800-685-6322
or fax to 617-761-1348
Number of Players: One per computer
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed:
CD-ROM (2X), 486 or higher processor, 10mb hard disk, 16mb RAM, 256 monitor,
mouse, and windows 3.1 or higher.
Subject Area: Skills: Letter
Names and Sounds, Numbers and Counting, Matching, Simple Arithmetic, Shapes
and Colors, Memory Skills, Patterns and Classification, Noticing Differences,
Logic and Prediction, Listening Skills, Vocabulary Building, and Creativity.
Objectives: By playing games and
exploring options, children improve visual and auditory perception; visual
and auditory memory; motor, language, number, and scientific thinking skills,
and the ability to concentrate and pay attention.
Brief Description: Child preparation
for school in multiple areas through five structured games and five open-ended
play-and-learn activities. The format is a carnival.
Entry Capabilities Required:
Ability to use a mouse. Familiarity with shapes, numbers, adding,
subtraction, letters and words, colors and patterns.
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 5 - Reader
Rabbit's Preschool is a broad based introductory tool.
Provides practice of relevant skills:
5 - Children are expected to know more at younger ages. This software
encourages exploration and learning which prepares students for Kindergarten.
Player mistakes are addressed immediately before moving on.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest:
5 - Bright colors and graphics with music attract and hold attention.
Likely to be comprehended clearly:
4 - Children may not be able to complete on their own. With guidance
and practice preschoolers will understand and learn.
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
4- Graphics and sound are of good quality. The ability to make decisions
of where to go and what to do are important to young learners. A
concern was with the flow for more educated (experienced) players who may
not want to wait for the characters to speak before progressing.
Another benefit is the option to use lower or upper case letters.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): 4 - Guessing may
be used; however, a player must correct mistakes before continuing.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): 5 - Completing
the carnival in order to ride the rides is a wonderful theme. The
circus-like music and pictures are realistic.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results):
NA - I was unable to locate any test results.
Clear directions for play: 5 - Directions
are very clear and players are able to ask for help. One concern
is for players who have not done these activities before may need greater
assistance.
Effectiveness of debriefing:
2 - There is no debriefing. The benefit comes through the parents/
teachers handbook which has many helpful suggestions for increased learning.
Strong Points:
The strength of this software comes from its handbook and ideas for parents
and teachers. I liked the ability to track and print the players
scores and creative work. The incorporation of Dr. Dennison's work
is very applicable for learners of all ages.
Weak Points:
The weakness lies in the reliance of parents to back up the child's learning.
There must be a way to insert some debriefing within the program.
Another weakness is that players may use software for extended periods
of time (one hour or longer) which is not recommended for preschool age
children.
Reviewer: Mary Wells
Position: Graduate Student
Date: 3-29-1999
Computer System Reviewed on: Power
Macintosh G3, 233, 64 mb RAM