Title: Reader Rabbit 1st Grade
Overall Rating:
A
Source: The Learning Company
Playing Time: Company suggests to
limit child use to 30 minutes. Amount of time to go through the entire
software would be about 1 hour.
Date: March 10, 1999
Cost: $
Number of Players: one child
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: CD
Rom is needed. Software needs to be installed before using.
Subject Area: Subject areas include Math,
Phonics, Reading, Music, and Drawing.
Objectives: The objectives include building
on academic skills, learning from the world and people around them, practice
fundamental learning skills, develop math concepts, practice reading
comprehension,
and identify emotional feelings.
Brief Description: The students had to
go to different areas to practice a subject area guided by an animal from
the woods. They chose whether or not
they went to the math section, phonics section, reading comprehension
section or feelings section. The animal describes the activity and
the student does the activity.
Entry Capabilities Required: Basic reading,
math, and phonics skills.
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 5 - the activities
are appropriate for the objectives. The students actually work on
phonics skills and reading comprehension etc...while having fun.
It is not just fun games for them to play.
Provides practice of relevant skills:
4 -The activities given are appropriately skilled. For example, the
reading comprehension allows a student to read a passage and fill in blanks
with the correct word.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 3
- The level of interest is pretty good. There is not much action
but the activities are fun and kids will want to play.
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 4 -
The students will comprehend clearly because the animals tell the
students exactly what to do. Although, it was difficult to figure
out how to get in and out of places.
Technical quality (durable,
attractive):
4 - The graphics were good. The animals and pictures were clear and
not too complex for children. The coloring was good and bright for
students to enjoy.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): 2 - In most activities the player
has so many chances to win and they are told to try again.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): 3 - The game is somewhat
realistic, although, animals don't really talk.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test
results):
N/A
Clear directions for play:
4 - The directions are clear because the animals give the directions as
they play the game.
Effectiveness of debriefing:
3 - The debriefing is ok. They know how well they are doing by the
animals telling them whether or not they got the answer right.
Strong Points:
The program allows students to work on a variety of skills instead of just
1 or 2 skills.
Weak Points:
The software has to be installed by an adult.
Reviewer: Stacey Winters
Position: SUNY Potsdam Graduate Student
Date: 3/22/99
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
PowerPC 6500/250, 32mb ram.