German Software Reviewed |
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| Software Title: Multimedia Flashcards Learn German |
| Publisher : | Heinman |
| Age Group : | 10-12 |
| Curriculum Area : | Language Development |
| Year of Publication : | 1996 |
| Mac, PC or other : | Apple and Windows CDROM |
| Summary |
In combining pictures text and sound, this product endeavours to make an interactive flash card system,which may be useful in basic language teaching. The program begins by inviting the user to choose one of three sections: Learn, Games and Record. In the Learn section, the vocabulary is introduced through large colourful and attractive pictures accompanied by spoken word and written text. The games section contains Find the Card, Match the Pairs and Beat the Clock, all of which can be played at three different levels, constituting nine games. The record section affords the user the opportunity to practise pronouncing vocabulary. This product may be of benefit to younger pupils with teacher intervention to help focus the user.
| Overview of Teaching with this Title |
What curriculum areas does this software title support, please List the curriculum strands and objectives addressed?
The software supports listening, speaking
and reading skills. It introduces a variety of vocabularies such as: colours,
plurals, professions, actions, prepositions, and places.There are no modifications
supported.Very little of the material is presented in an innovative or
imaginative way. It is felt that other types of class work would achieve
the desired outcome as easily and in some instances more effectively.
Unfortunately the flashcards cannot be printed.
The title was used by small groups of two or three pupils.
The strength of this title is that it is easily navigable and the games
present short manageable challenges. Unfortunately the vocabulary content
is limited and unstructured. Interactivity is unimaginative and restricted.
The flashcards can't be printed out nor can a list of vocabulary.
| Content |
The content is accurate, reliable and up-to-date.
There appears to be no cultural, gender or racial bias. All the characters
are animals e.g. wasp, tiger. They are child-friendly and non-threatening.
Both male and female voices are used. Non-traditional images (such as
a female doctor and a female dentist) as well as traditional images (such
as a male farmer and a female teacher) are included. The 10-12 age group
involved in evaluation for the SIP21A project found the product somewhat
babyish. They were especially disappointed with the simplified "cinema"
animations. There are multiple levels of difficulty and challenge. Yellow
represents the easy option. Vocabulary is based on one section or theme
and if the wrong card is clicked, the game is made easier by removing
it from the choice. The red level involves a mixture of sections and the
blue level revolves around prepositions and actions incorporating more
difficult vocabulary again. For every correct answer three points are
gained on all the levels however in the red and blue levels an incorrect
answer results in the deduction of one point. There is also a game that
invites the user to beat the clock.
The user can choose the level of difficulty as outlined above however
they have no choice over the rate of delivery.
The information is poorly structured to support learning. Language is
divided into the following areas: Vocabulary A, Vocabulary B, Colours,
Plurals, Professions, Vocabulary C, Actions, Positions (meaning Prepositions)
and Places. With regard to vocabulary A, B and C, a random selection of
approximately sixty nouns are included altogether however they follow
no particular theme or sequence and are not necessarily the first most
needed words in a foreign language. In the "plurals" section,
the twenty nouns are presented in plural form. The singular form is not
given as well for association or comparison purposes. No list of vocabulary
covered in the program is available for the teacher or user. The beautiful
flashcards cannot be printed.
The software concentrates on visual and aural association of vocabulary.
The pupils can also record their own words and sentences.
| Design and Navigation |
The onscreen help is not always available and not particularly
helpful. The volume can be adjusted. The product doesn't support the use
of the keyboard instead of the mouse.
The interface is uncluttered but the functions of the icons are not all
immediately obvious.
You cannot bookmark where an individual has been nor record an individual
user's place.
The spoken feedback is pleasant and encouraging. Scores are also used
to motivate the users. Award certificates can be printed out.
Records can be kept and set up before hand. A print out of the records
shows the user's name,.date last used, and award achieved if any. On screen
records display the user's name, the score, the date last used and the
number of sessions.
| Installation and Use |
An auto play facility is built into the product so the program
will start as soon as you insert the disc and the product launches quickly.
The program responds adequately to input from a child/adult.
To my knowledge there is no network version available and the sample evaluated
was run on one PC only.
| Supporting Documentation |
There is no supporting documentation with the product except
the CDROM cover which gives a brief description of the product, details
the minimum system requirements and installation instructions and contains
the software licence agreement and Eurotalk catalogue.The loading and
operating instructions are clear.
More information is required to explain what the software does and how
it behaves before running the software. The curriculum content should
be outlined, and a list of activities or games given to describe the product
more comprehensively.There are no ancillary teacher notes and pupil activities.