123 CD

In response to Paul’s request for software reviewers, and Lynn’s primary school having just taken delivery of a brand new A7000+ complete with CD-ROM drive, it seemed an ideal opportunity to cut our reviewing teeth. The 123 CD from Sherston was the ideal vehicle for such an adventure.

Lynn works in the Reception Unit of the local primary school; the unit consists of two teachers and two classroom assistants, and is host to 60 children. As with many such units, the availability of computer equipment has been sparse and what was available was showing its age. The predecessors of the A7000+, obtained through the Tesco voucher scheme, were BBC Bs and an A3000, all of which had provided sterling service to the extent of their capabilities − a description that is equally applicable to the teaching staff, none of whom would admit to being particularly computer literate. Lynn had done some work for the class on our home RiscPC and so, as is often the case, she got the tag of computer 'expert'.

The objective of the unit was to introduce the children to the use of computers and associated skills whilst teaching aspects of the national curriculum. It was hoped that the 123 CD would provide the opportunity for independent use of the computer by the children. Sherston’s stated objective for this program, written by Simon Hosler and Bill Bonham, is “to help young children get to grips with the complexity of counting and early number skills”.

The package

The package arrived in a robust video cassette style case. Inside was the CD, a user guide and a large number of black & white and coloured, photocopiable work sheets. The A5 user guide stretched to 36 easily-read pages and contained a contents section and an index. The guide is best read from cover to cover, but the provision of the index allows for future dipping for confirmation.

The program was run from the triple format CD although it could be installed onto hard disc, for which an installation program is supplied. The minimum required specification for RISC OS is an A5000 with 4Mb RAM, double speed CD-ROM and RGB monitor; the recommended specification is A7000 or better with 8Mb RAM, double speed CD-ROM and SVGA/multisync monitor. The program uses the Sassoon font which can also be installed from the CD.

In use

As previously mentioned, the user guide was very easy to follow. The Teacher options are not very testing and are easy to implement. They consist of selecting the numbers that will be exercised and selecting the activities that will be accessible. There are a few icons to help navigate around the program and make various game and directional selections.

The children’s companion through the various exercises is a round-faced and friendly character called Wizit. The games are divided into two areas: Wizit’s Number Workshop Games (seven games/activities) and Wizit’s Number Fun Games (four games/activities).

Wizit’s Number Workshop

Counting Out Loud is an exercise where a number of objects are transferred, by clicking on them, from one side of the screen to an area on the other side. The objects, once clicked upon, are animated in an amusing way as they move to the appropriate setting on the other side of the screen. A female voice counts them across as each is clicked on, and the count is repeated when all have been transferred.

Hide and Seek reinforces the chosen number sequence and asks the child to find one of the numbers that have been displayed and then hidden behind a door or under a bed.

How Many asks the child to click on each of the objects displayed in Wizit’s basket and, as each object is clicked on, the number is vocalised and displayed at the foot of the screen. When all the objects have been clicked on, the child is asked to click on the correct number for the counted objects.

Wizit’s Basket is a matching game where a selection of baskets containing different numbers of objects need to be matched with the pattern displayed in the basket in the bottom half of the screen.

Count with Wizit is similar in setting to Counting Out Loud, and entails clicking on the correct number of objects from a larger group that are then animated over to the other side of the screen. There is the added task of telling Wizit that the count has been completed by clicking on him. The number selected is reinforced by the numbers being displayed across the screen, and the child is asked to click on the correct number.

More or Less is an exercise where the child is asked to place, by clicking, more or less of a number of objects in a basket that is underneath the basket containing the key number of objects. Again, Wizit has to be clicked on to signify that the count has been completed.

In How Many Now, a number of objects are counted out into Wizit’s basket, and the child is then invited to count them and click on the correct number from those displayed at the bottom of the screen.

Wizit’s Number Fun

One Bun in the Sun is a passive activity whereby the child listens to a rhyme for each of the numbers, one to ten or the selected range. The rhymes are somewhat different from “one, two buckle my shoe”, and perhaps the better for it.

One, Two Come on You is another rhyming, mainly listening, activity. The rhymes introduce concurrent pairs of numbers, hence the “one, two come on you”.

Ladders and Slides is a very simple platform game. The child is shown a number of objects and then, using on-screen direction arrows, has to direct Wizit to the correct number placed within the series of levels arrived at via a number of slides and ladders.

Dress the Teddies is another matching game − but with a difference. The numbers to be matched are carried by a series of teddies being conveyed on a crane, one at a time. The teddy is lowered into the correct cylinder, provided that the cylinder with the corresponding number of dots has been clicked. He then drops out of the bottom of the cylinder dressed in one of a number different garbs. The exercise is time-limited via an egg-timer.

Reaction: Teachers

The teachers had no trouble with the options setting or game navigation. All felt that the presentation, graphics, animation and sound effects were appropriate for the targeted age group, and those of varying abilities. However, some of the games were thought to be too passive and likely to quickly lose the interest of the audience. The game’s objectives would generally be met; some games would be ideal for ‘teaching’ elementary counting and number recognition, and some would be good for revision and reinforcement.

Reaction: Children

The children have enthusiastically returned for more go’s at the games that have been fully tested. Their response has been positive and interest has been maintained. Children of all abilities have been able to use the program, mainly unsupervised, but a couple of the exercises do need continued supervision for all abilities, e.g Ladder and Slides.

Conclusion

In all the games, the accompanying voice is female and very clear if sometimes a little halting; the graphics are bright and cheerful and the animation and sound effects are interesting and amusing. Wizit is a constant companion and nods approvingly when the correct answer is given; otherwise the voice encourages another attempt and gives hints on how to succeed. Wizit is seen to be naughty on occasions, but I’m sure this will just add to the delight.

The children will need to understand the concept of clicking, as this action is required in most of the games.

The program would seem to be ideal for reception classes. It fits in well with, for instance, the exercises developed in My World. Older children may well get some revision type benefit from it.

123 CD from Sherston Software comes on one triple format CD which will work on Acorn, Apple and Windows, and costs £29.95 +VAT. Multi-packs are available.