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      THE GREAT MODULE REVIEW
          by John E. Taylor and other members of the
          Shoals 99ers

          (BB&P Editor's note: The following article was originally
     published in the August 1985 issue of Shoals Tidings, newsletter of
     the long defunct Shoals 99ers from Muscle Sheals AL.  The senior
     author, known to some long time TIers as JET, wrote some good fairware
     for the 99/4A back then.  This very comprehensive review of official
     TI cartridges should be a useful reference document to any 99/4A owner
     even today.  Only a few common modules are missing from this review,
     inluding Speech Editor and the MBX games.  Gram files of all the
     modules reviewed here are available in the Lima UG software library
     for members who own a gram device.  We also have XB loadable disk
     files of some of these modules in our software library.  Most of these
     modules can still be purchased from Competition Computer.  Phone them
     at 800-471-1600)

          The Great Module Review is a project I started at last month's
     general meeting.  I have noticed that the prices on most all modules
     have dropped drastically in the last few months.  However, even at $5+
     dollars, there are so many it is hard to choose.  Most modules are
     listed as just a title and nothing more.  I hated to think that a
     really good one might get by me and be gone forever.  For that reason
     I asked and got about 8 people to volunteer to review some modules.
     First I got a list of every module the volunteers had.  It totaled up
     to 68 different modules.  Then I asked everyone to review specific
     modules and give you the information that they thought you'd like to
     know if you were thinking about purchasing it.  The reviews are the
     opinion of those that reviewed them and should be looked at as a guide
     only.  One person's junk could just be another's treasure.  Take a
     look at the current catalogs at the meetings and I am sure the prices
     will suprise you.  The Modules have been sorted into alphabetical
     order within 5 groups -- Education, Games, Home Use, Languages, and
     Utilities.  I hope that you enjoy the reviews and that it helps you to
     re-discover all of the module software that is available before they
     are all gone.
          ----------------------------
          .CE 1
          EDUCATION:

      ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION 1
          This module has speech capabilities with the speech synthesizer.
     The module was designed to provide children with a positive
     introduction to mathematics.
          The module begins by teaching the basic concept of counting to
     nine.  Step by step, the principles of addition and subtraction, with
     the numbers zero through nine, are introduced.  My four year old son
     injoys most of thes activities, but some are a little advanced for
     him.  This module is probably best suited for a child around five or
     six.  The graphics and speech are very good.
          (BB&P Editor's note: Its deja vu time!  On December 15, 1994
     Thomas Hartsig left a message on the comp.sys.ti internet newsgroup.
     He was commenting on discussions of recent sales and purchases by
     newsgroup readers of TI educational modules.  "I wrote Addition and
     Subtraction 1 back in 1981.  I had no idea people were still using
     these cartridges."  Mr. Hartsig also wrote many of the other Scott
     Foresman math education 99/4A cartridges.)

           ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION 2
          This module is a good follow up to Addition and Subtraction 1.
     Speech is optional but is a good addition if you have the speech
     synthesizer.  This module has nine addition and subtraction
     activieies:
          1.  Counting 0 to 10
          2.  Numbers 10 to 18
          3.  Addition facts
          4.  Add another way
          5.  Add three numbers
          6.  Add in a column
          7.  Subtraction facts
          8.  Subtract another way
          9.  Review of facts
          COUNTING TO 10. Line bars are used to drill your child in
     counting to 10.  Bars with numbers 0-5 are shown.  If these are
     correctly recognized then the activity moves to bars with numbers
     6-10.  These must be correctly recognized before the module advances
     to the next activity.
          NUMBERS 10 TO 18. This section introduces the concept of grouping
     numbers into tens.  To get a number greater than 10, one group of 10
     is added to a group of units.  Bars or objects appear on the display.
     If the correct answer is given the units move together and the word
     and numbers are shown.
          ADDITION FACTS.  You are presented two sets of objects with
     corresponding numbers under each group.  The objects move upward and
     form a number bar in the middle of the display.  As the objects
     reappear in their original position on the display, corresponding
     numbers also appear and form an addition sentence.  The signs "+" and
     "=" and the answer are displayed to complete the sentence.  With the
     help of bars or objects, the drill asks your child to complete the
     addiion sentence.
          ADD ANOTHER WAY.  This activity moves the horizontal addition
     sentences to form a vertical sentence.  All the problems in the drill
     are presented in the vertical format.  Your child is asked to type the
     correct answer to the problems.
          ADD THREE NUMBERS.  This activity extends the concept of
     horizontal addition to include  three numbers.  It also introduces the
     associative property of addition: (3+5)+4=3+(5+4).  To help your child
     recognize this property, a box is drawn around the combined addends in
     he addition sentence.  The drill asks your child to enter the sum of
     th three numbers.
          SUBTRACTION FACTS.  This activity subtracts a single-digit number
     from a double-digit number with the visual assistance of "x-ing" out
     train engines.  Ten to 18 train engines appear on the display.  A
     random number of train engines are "x-ed" out and then dispappear.
     Next, the corresponding horizontal subtraction sentence appears.  The
     drill displays a subtraction sentence and asks your child to complete
     it with the correct answer.  If an incorrect response is given, train
     engines appear and are "x-ed" out to assist your child with the next
     response.
          SUBTRACT ANOTHER WAY.  Subtraction another way demonstrates the
     conncept of taking a smaller number from a larger one by crossing out
     a number of bars from a large group of bars and then having them
     disappear in the vertical format.  If an incorrect answer is given,
     appropriate counting bars appear to assist your child with the second
     response.
          REVIEW THE FACTS.  The review presents a variety of 24 problems,
     utilizing the skills represented in the module.  Only one try is
     allowed, with an incorrect response resulting in a computer-supplied
     answer.  For the child who answers 20 or more of the problems
     correctly, the module automatically provides an EXTRA FOR EXPERTS.
     This ten-problem activity displays one of the addends and the sum of
     the addition problems.  Your child is asked to fill in the missing
     added.
          This is a very good module for you and your child to work with.
     It will help develop a good understanding of addition and subtraction.

           ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION 3
          Addition and subtraction 3 teaches and provides practice in the
     addition and subtraction of 2 and 3 digit numbers.  The module also
     introduces the concept of "renaming" (carrying and borrowing).
     Addition and Subtraction 3 has 8 different activities.  They are: add
     2 digit numbers, Subtract 2 digit numbers, Regroup objects (for
     renaming), Add with renaming, Subtract with renaming, Add 3 digit
     numbers, Subtract 3 digit numbers, and Review.  All activities except
     Review begin with a teaching example that makes extensive use of the
     speech synthesizer which is optional but highly reocmmended.  The
     program also excellently uses the sound and graphics of the 99/4A.
     The instructions for the exercises are simple enough for most children
     to follow with little supervision.  Each teaching session is followed
     by a review of what was learned in that activity, and the comptuer
     generates several practice problems.  The problems are randomly
     generated, so the student is not given the same problems every time he
     uses the module.  If the answers to these problems indicate that the
     child is having difficulty, the computer will povide more teaching
     instruction dealing with the problems being done.  When a satisfactory
     number of correct answers are given to the practice problems, the
     student is allowed to go to the next activity.  Correct answers are
     rewarded with colorful graphic animations and cheerful tones.
          Addition and Subtraction 3, by Scott, Foresman and Company, is
     one of the best educational modules that I have seen for the TI99/4A.
     The excellent teaching methods and the use of color graphics, sound,
     and speech really make it a favorite.

           ALIEN ADDITION
           MINUS MISSION
          These two modules provide for practice in addition and
     subtraction in an arcade style game environment.  Both games have
     "attackers" trying to destroy your "defender".  In Alien Addition
     the attackers are alien ships and your defender is a laser cannon.  In
     Minus Mission the attackers are slime blobs and your defender is a
     robot armed with a laser gun.  In each game the attackers are carrying
     a math problem (in addition or subraction depending on the module) and
     decend from the top of the screen toward your base.  The object is to
     neutralize the attackers and send them to the top of the screen.  You
     do this by arming your defender with the correct answer to one of the
     attackers' problems, moving your defender under the correct attacker
     (using the arrow keys) and fire (press the space bar).  When an
     attacker is neutralized, he returns to the top of the screen and gets
     a new problem.  If the answer you fire is incorrect, then the attacker
     you fired at advances out of turn toward the bottom of the screen,
     then your fefender is destroyed.  You start the game with three
     defenders, and the game ends either when you lose all of them, or when
     time runs out.  The game time is selectable from 1 to 5 minutes, as
     are the difficulty level of the problems and the descending speed of
     the attackers.
          Each module also has available a joystick version of the game
     which is played slightly differently from the keyboard version.  In
     the joystick version your defender is automatically armed with the
     correct answer to one of the attacker's problems.  It is then up to
     you to find the attacker carrying a problem that is solved by that
     answer, position the defender under the attacker, and fire.  The
     answer may be correct for more than one attacker, so a bit of strategy
     is involved in selecting which one to neutralize.  You should get the
     one nearest to bottom of the screen since the answer to that problem
     may not appear soon enough to get another shot before your defender is
     destroyed.
          These games make fairly good use of color graphics and sound, and
     provide a challenging and fun way for children to practice their
     addition and subtraction.  Although aimed at elementary age children,
     the games can be fun for adults as well when played at the highest
     difficulty and speed levels in the joystick mode.

           BEGINNING GRAMMAR
          The Beginnng Grammar module is specially designed to help your
     child in the study of grammar.  Seven of the eight "parts of speed"
     (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and
     pronouns) are introduced through engaging colorful activities that are
     both fun (a game) and at the same time provide educationally valid
     learning experiences.
          Each activity (game, part of speech) begins with a definition and
     includes examples to help understand the concept.  The child will
     learn a little typing by using the keyboard and computer command keys
     eg enter, shift key, space bar and on/off switch.
          The sound and color truly add to the enjoyment and learning
     process.  OH!  Yes!  It also keeps score in the most unique way.
          Beginning Grammar consists of the following activities (games,
     programs): 1- going places with nouns; 2- verb lift; 3- pronoun
     posters; 4- adjective's restaurant; 5- adverb attractions; and 6-
     preposition/conjunction.
          You should take some time with preschoolers and first and second
     graders to show them how to use the programs and operate the keyboard
     and computer.  You will be suprised at how quickly they learn and how
     much fun they have.
          All you need is the TI99/4A computer and the Beginning Grammar
     module and at least one small (and at times not so small) person to
     both learn and have fun.

           DECIMALS
          The decimals module is divided into 56 levels of difficulty,
     covering material generally taught in grades five through eight.  The
     program provides practice in recognizing decimals as fraction,
     determining the order of decimals, rounding decimals, and doing
     arithmetic with decimals.  Children add, subtract, multiply, and
     divide numbers.  This program assumes that your child has mastered
     basic arithmetic and a certain degree of mental computation.
          LEVELS 1-11.  Your child deals with relations and numbers in
     these first 11 levels.  They are asked to tell which number is
     greater (>) and which numbers are smaller (<).  Equals (=) is also
     discussed in this section.  A progress report is displayed on the
     bottom of the screen so you can see how you are doing at all times.
     Only one chance is given to answer correctly problems or questions
     that have only two or three possible answers.  At least two chances
     are given to answer problems with many possible answers.
          LEVELS 12-20.  In these levels you deal with addition of and
     using decimals.
          LEVELS 21-30.  Subtraction is explained in these next groups.
     Learners are introduced to borrowing.
          LEVELS 31-39 and 40-49.  Here you are introduced to
     multiplication using decimals.
          LEVELS 36-39 and 50-56.  This is where division is taught.
     Beginning at level 50 you are shown and drilled on how to find the
     correct decimal place.  Level 51 gives direction in moving the decimal
     point.
          As you progress you are moved to higher and harder levels.  You
     can move to different levels or back up at any time if you feel thay
     you need more help.
          This module comes from the MILLIKEN MATH SERIES.  They also
     produce modules in math that start with kindergarden age and go up.
     They have a very fine series of modules for education.

           DIVISION 1
          This module continues in the development of math skills with
     drills and exercises in division.  Speech is optional with this
     module.  Division 1 contains nine activities.  The module will advance
     your child to more difficult activities if 80 percent of the problems
     are answered correctly.  If less than 80 percent are answered
     correctly, the computer will return to the tutorial activity,
     providing more practice.  The nine activities are as follows:
          MEANING OF DIVISION.  Demonstrates the meaning of division by
     displaying a random number of objects and then evenly grouping these
     objects.  The activity explains how many objects there are in all and
     how many objects there are in each group.  Then the computer counts
     the groups for you.  You are then asked to determined the number of
     groups.
          DIVISORS OF 1,2,3.  This activity displays a random number of
     objects evenly grouped in boxes and indicates how many objects there
     are.  Then the corrssponding word sentence appears.  The boxes are
     then counted, and the total moves to the answer position in the word
     sentence.  The corresponding division number sentence appears below
     the word sentence.  After displaying a random number of grouped
     objects, the drill uses divisors of 1,2, and 3 and asks you to
     complete the number sentence by determining the number of groups.
          DIVISORS OF 4,5,6.  Displays a random number of objects and
     indicates how many objects there are.  Then the objects are evenly
     grouped.  It is similar to activity 2 above but extends the
     randomization to include division problems using divisors 4,5, and 6.
     the drill asks you to complete the division sentence by indicating the
     number of groups.
          DIVIDE USING.  Shows how the division sentence is rewritten in
     the vertical format.  Evenly grouped objects and the corresponding
     horizontal division sentence appears on the display.  The groups are
     counted and that number moves into place, completing the sentence.
     The numbers then move to form the vertical division format.  The word
     sentence representing both formats appears next.  The drill in this
     activity presents a series of problems in the vertical division format
     for you to solve.
          PRACTICE AND PAINT.  Lets you creatively practice division facts
     for divisors 1 through 6.  A painter's palette displays the numbers 1
     through 9.  A division problem appears in the center of the palette.
     You press the space bar to move the cursor clockwise around the
     numbers on the palette.  When the correct nunber is reached you press
     <enter>.  You have two chances to find the correct answer and the
     computer keeps score by "painting" a square in the score box each time
     a correct answer is given.
          DIVISORS OF 7,8,9.  Groups of objects to include divisors of 7,8,
     and 9.  A random number of objects appears on the display.  As the
     objects are grouped and the groups are counted, the horizontal
     division problem appears, followed by the vertical division problem.
     A check is given by multiplying the divisor and quotient together.
     You solve the problems in the drill by determining the answer to the
     horizontal or veriical division problem.  If a wrong answer is given,
     multiples of the divisor are displayed to help you.
          HOW MANY BOXES?  Presents a word problem that identifies a
     number-grouping situation and introduces the concept of remainders.  a
     random number of objects appears and then the objects are evenly
     grouped into boxes.  The computer counts the remaining objects.  The
     drill asks how many boxes are needed to group the objects evenly
     according to the situation presented in the word problem.  After
     indicating the right number the computer counts the remaining objects.
          DIVIDE WITH A REMAINDER.  Displays a vertical division problem
     with the corresponding number of objects above it.   The problem is
     solved with the remainder being displayed.  The drill presents
     vertical problems.  You are asked to select the closest quotient.  The
     divisor and quotient are multiplied and the answer is shown in the
     problem.  Then you must solve for the remainder.  If you can not work
     out the problem in two tries the computer will work you through the
     problem.
          MAKE A PICTURE.  Asks you to solve division problems in both
     vertical and horizontal formats to create a picture.  Each correct
     answer adds parts to the picture.  You must get 10 problems right to
     complete the picture.  If 80 percent of th problems are complete on
     the third picture, you can continue on to the activity "EXTRA FOR
     EXPERTS".  Here you are given five multiplication and five division
     problems.  You are asked to give the missing element in each problem.

           EARLY LEARNING FUN
          This module is my childrens' favorite.  There are four categories
     in the module; numbers, shapes, sorting, and the alphabet.  Within
     each group the activities are arranged according to difficulty, with
     simplest exercises first.  The graphics are good and very colorful.

           EARLY LOGO LEARNING FUN
          LOGO is a computer language especially written to be used by
     children to aid in the learning process.  While LOGO was being
     developed and used by students, several interesting procedures, or
     programs, were written.  This module contains a selection of 5 of
     these routines.  I really like the module because my son quickly
     mastered the repedative activities in the Early Learning Fun module.
     The activities in this module are a lot more free-form.  You are
     essentially presented with a blank screen and some picture shapes.
     For example, BUILD allows you to build pictures out of blocks.  The
     blocks can be positioned anywhere on the screen in any of 7 colors.
     This is all done with single key positioning anywhere on the screen in
     any of 7 colors.  This is all done with single key presses.  PARK
     gives you either cars or garages which can be moved anywhere  PEOPLE
     gives you bodies, heads, arms, and legs which you use to build people.
     DRAW puts a turtle (triangle) on the screen and lets you draw lines
     (like an Etch-A-sketch) to make pictures.  And DALLAS lets you
     generate whole fleets of trucks and jets going every which way on the
     screen.  When I first got the module I thought that it was a waste of
     money.  However, after watching my son use it, I've changed my tune.
     It is one of the few modules available that doesn't hold him down to a
     specific answer at a specific time.  He is free to explore what he
     wants when he wants.  And isn't that what learning is really all
     about?

           EARLY READING
          Early Reading is used along with the speech synthesizer to help
     develope word recognition and reading skills.  Six new words are
     introduced in each of nine different Pick A Picture Stories.  There
     are three sections for your child to work through;  PICK A PICTURE,
     PICK A WORD, and MAKE A STORY.   It is recommended that you start with
     pick a picture because it provides the foundation for the other
     sessions.
          PICK A PICTURE.  A title screen shows nine numbered pictures.
     Each picture represents a different story.  When you select a number,
     you see the story title.  The computer (if speech synthesizer is
     connected) will read the title.  Next a picture from the story will
     appear and the computer will tell you what the picture is.  After the
     computer has read the sentence, it will ask you to find a certain
     word.  This is done by moving the red line with the space bar until
     it is under the word and then pressing <enter>.  You will be rewarded
     if correct or asked to TRY AGAIN if wrong.  This continues until all
     the new words are introduced.
          The second part of this activity uses the same words in new
     sentences to make a short story.  The computer will read the sentence
     and then ask you to read the sentence after  which you press <enter>.
     You are allowed to read each sentence at your own pace and then press
     <enter> to go to the next sentence.  At the end of the story the
     entire story is displayed on screen for you to read.
          PICK A WORD.  This section is like a game for your children to
     play.  They are shown ten sentences one at a time.  Each sentence has
     a word missing.  Your child is to complete the sentence by picking one
     of three words listed at the bottom of the screen.  If the word is
     correct the word is displayed in the box and the child earns one
     point.  If the word is wrong, the child is encouraged to TRY AGAIN.
     after two wrong answers the computer will show you the correct answer.
     After all ten sentences are finished the computer will show you how
     many points were earned.
          MAKE A STORY.  This activity makes new stories from the words
     introduced in the other two sections.  You are given a screen to read
     after which you press <enter>.  At several places in the story you are
     given a choice of words to complete the sentence.  The word you choose
     determines how the story progresses.  Eight different endings are
     possible.
          This module was developed for Texas Instruments by Scott,
     Foresman and company and Texas Instrucment Learning Center.  This is a
     very nice module for your child to use with the computer.

           FACE MAKER
          This is one of those "Gee I whish they had that when I was a kid"
     modules.  The idea is simple.  You are presented a blank face and you
     begin making a face.  First you add eyes, then hair, a nose, ears, and
     a mouth.  You are given 8 choices in each of these groups.  That
     allows you to create a very wide and varied set of faces.  After
     building your favorite face, it is time to begin animating it.  Press
     E to wiggle the ears, W to wink, C to cry, S to smile, F to frown, and
     T to stick out your tongue.  Once this is done, you can write a
     program, or series of instructions for the face to do.  Enter up to 25
     letters and let it go.  The results can really be great.  Finally, you
     can play a SIMON game with the face.  It makes faces at you and you
     tell  it what it did.  Each time it adds one more expression and you
     try to keep up with it's every move.  This module is really cute.
     Children of all ages should like it because they get to design the
     face they want and make it do what they want.

           FRACTIONS
          The Fraction Numbers cartridge is divided into 36 levels of
     difficulty covering material generally taught in grades four through
     eight (just right for my level).  The program provides practice with a
     wide variety of skills related to fractions, including finding common
     factors, recognizing order of fractions, reducing fractions to lowest
     terms, working with mixed numbers (whole numbers plus a fractional
     part), finding lkeast common denominators, finding reciprocals, and
     changing fractions to decimals.
          The program includes adding, subtracting, multiplying, and
     dividing fractional and mixed numbers.  Problems are presented both
     vertically and horizontally.  This program assumes thay your child has
     mastered basic arithmetic and a certain degree of mental computation.
     It is very simple to use, and you can start at any level, so you do
     not have to go over the levels you know or have done.  Plus, there are
     several special features that increase its motivational and
     reinforcement value, such as color graphics and sound effects that
     appear in response to correct answers.  There is also an
     unintimidating, try-again approach to incorrect answers.  A progress
     report is posted at the bottom of the screen.  A "help" feature
     displays the problem step by step until the final answer is found.
     Advancement to the next level occurs if problems are answered
     correctly, or it automatically returns to a lower level if your child
     needs more practice.  Question-and-answer activities allow your child
     to interact with the computer so that the skills of reducing to the
     lowest terms and the relationship between mixed numerals and improper
     fractions are understood.  A special regrouping feature helps your
     child in rewriting mixed numbers for easy problem solving.  Report
     screens are personalized with your child's name at the end of each
     level.  An "exit" screen with a complete report on your child's score
     appears at the end of the work session.  This is a self-paced "tutor",
     education at its best for a price that can't be beat.

           FROG JUMP
          Gives practice in counting and ordering numbers.  Frog Jump is a
     one or two player game.  The object of the one player game is to
     collect 20 lily pads in as little time as possible.  In a two player
     game, the object is to be the first to collect 20 lily pads.
          When you select FROG JUMP from the menu you are asked to choose a
     level.  The levels are HARD, HARDER, and HARDEST.  Then you enter the
     names of the players up to 10 characters.  You then get to select a
     color for your frog.
          Your turn will begin when your name appears on the screen.  the
     problem will appear on the screen, a musical tone sounds, the cursor
     flashes, and the timer begins.  you type your answer as quickly as
     possible and press <enter>.  The number of lily pads you win is
     determined by the number of seconds you use to answer the problem.
     Lily pads are awarded as follows
          TIME..............LILY PADS
          1-2 seconds----------3
          3-5 seconds----------2
          6-45 seconds---------1
          Over 45 seconds------0

          This is an example of the difficulty levels.
          HARD LEVEL "Give 1 more-97" (ans =98)
          HARDER LEVEL "Give the next number-60,62,64" (ans 66)
          HARDEST LEVEL "Give 100 more-2783" (ans 2883)
          The hardest level can even prove a challenge for the adult.  This
     is a good module for the whole family to use and have contests to
     collect lily pads.

           MULTIPLICATION 1
          The Multiplication module shows your child the "magic of
     multiplication."  It provides a strong foundation not only in the
     basic facts, but also in later work with larger numbers. Colorful
     graphics and lively music transform the process of learning factors
     and products into an exciting experience.

           NUMBER MAGIC
          This module can show your child that mathematics can be fun and a
     rewarding experience.  Learning activities provide valuable practice
     and exploration with numbers that is enriching and exciting.  Working
     at the pace and level of difficulty that best matches individual
     capabilities, children can test and improve problem solving skills and
     gain a better understanding of the basic functions of addition,
     subtraction, multiplication, and division.  Correct answers are
     rewarded with good scores, colorful animated screens, and sound
     effects.  Incorrect answers prompt an encouraging <Try again> from the
     computer.  For children 6 years and older.

           PICTURE PARTS
          Picture Parts is a mathematics game that allows practice in
     addition, subtraction, and multiplication.  In it you are presented
     with math problems ranging from hard to harder to hardest.  After
     entering your name you are shown a math problem at the bottom of the
     screen.  If you type in the correct answer you get to pick a feature
     to add to a face.  This is a rather simple game/educational module.
     However at its current price you really can't go wrong with it.

           PYRAMID PUZZLER
          This module, by Scott, Foresman and company, provides practice in
     multiplication for children in the 9 to 13 age range.  The object of
     the game, for one or two players, is to be the first to reach the top
     of the pyramid.  In a two player game, you race against your opponent.
     In the one player game, the computer is your opponent.  The pyramid is
     covered in a checkerboard pattern, and the players start in opposite
     corners.  In both versions of the game a correct answer to a
     multiplication problem allows you to move one space in any direction.
     You cannot move if your answer is incorrect.  You can "bump" your
     opponent further from the top of the pyramid by moving your marker to
     his position.  This feature puts some challenge, other than
     multiplicaton, into the game.
          In the single player version of the game, you move one space for
     each correct answer, and so does the computer.  However, if you answer
     the problem incorrectly you cannot move, but the computer moves two
     spaces.  If the computer moves its marker to the space thay you are
     on, you are given an extra problem to answer.  If you get it right,
     the computer gets bumped.  If you're wrong, you get bumped.
          The module provides a fun way for children to practice
     multiplicaton.  With the three levels of difficulty that are
     available, it should remain useful throughout the time a child is
     learning multiplication.

           READING ADVENTURES
          This module, bu Scott, Foresman and Company, is one in a series
     of programs designed to provide basic reading skills.  Reading
     Adventures deals with main and supporting details, drawing
     conclusions, and recognizing sequence relationships.  Each section is
     divided into two parts, first a "Study it" section where the
     particular skill is taught, then a "Try it out" section for practice.
     Study it first explains what the section is about and has a short
     story to read.  The story is presented in pages, and there are
     questions to answer before going on to the next page.  In Try it Out a
     longer story is provided, again with questions along the way.  An
     additional "All Skills" category has a story that helps the student
     with all three skills together.  The module comes with a reader that
     has additional stories to read.
          According to the manual, Reading Adventures is designed for
     children in grades 2-4.  I believe that the program is best suited for
     children in the upper range of that age group.  Reading Adventures
     makes very good use of graphics, and rewards the student with animated
     scenes for correct answers.

           READING CHEERS
          The module introduces the following word identification skills:
     recognizing root words with spelling changes before endings and
     suffixes, recognizing contractions, and recognizing compounds.  You
     can work on just one skill at a time or on all three at once.  If for
     example you are working on root words, you'll be shown a story,
     complete with graphics, and you'll be asked to underline the root
     words in the sentence.  The module comes complete with a very nice
     colorful reader.

           READING FLIGHT
          The reading flight module contains four colorfully depicted
     stories and three practice drills.  Three of the four sstories
     concentrate on one reading skill each, in a format entitled "Study
     it".  This module is not to teach children how to read, it is to
     improve the reading skills of children who are already reading.  This
     module is best suited for children in grades 4 and 5.  The module has
     good activities, graphics, and speech capabilities.

           READING FUN
          Reading Fun contains four colorfully depicted stories and three
     practice drills.  Speech Synthesizer is optional, but a very nice
     addition to this module.
          After the title screen you are given a menu screen to choose your
     activity from.  The activities are PROBLEMS IN STORIES, WHY THINGS
     HAPPEN and HOW CHARACTERS FEEL.  It is suggested that your child start
     with activity one.  After one of the skills is selected, the following
     options appear: Press 1 for STUDY IT or Press 2 for TRY IT OUT.
          STUDY IT- allows your child to study the skill by reading the
     story and participating in several activities.
          TRY IT OUT- lets your child practice the reading skills
     previously selected, in a set of five short stories with questions and
     answers.
          PROBLEMS IN STORIES- After making this selection your child will
     read a story called ALMOST TOO LATE.  In this story, a girl is often
     late for school.  This causes her problems which your child is asked
     to help her solve.  Three new vocabulary words are introduced:
     Promised, Excited, and Striking.
          WHY THINGS HAPPEN- another story is given called "WHY BATS FLY AT
     NIGHT.  This story explains why there is darkness and why bats fly at
     night.  your child is then asked why these two situations occurred.
     Three more words are also introduced: Africa, floated, and continued.
          HOW CHARACTERS FEEL- gives you the story THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
     In this story a lion and mouse change how they feel about each other.
     The reader is then questioned about the changes.  Three new words are
     introduced: frightened, tighter, and gnawing.
          The subject matter of this module corresponds to material covered
     in grades 1 through 3.

           READING RAINBOWS
          This module offers seven activities in three comprehension skills
     generally taught in grades 1 and 2.  They are recognizing part-whole,
     size, and class relationships.  Children may study a skill, practice
     it, or apply what they have studied and practiced as they read an
     interactive story aboyt Clyde the Dragon's search for a Rainbow.
     Speech is optional with this module.  There are four activities to
     choose from the main menu.
          HOW THINGS ARE ALIKE- you will be shown a group of things on the
     screen and asked how they are alive.  Example (shown) CAP, MITTEN and
     SHOE.  you will be asked if they are CLOTHES, FOOD, or have WHEELS.
          TRY OUT THE SKILL- lets you practice the skill you learned above.
     You are given a word and asked which group it belongs in.  Example
     car.  Groups will be ANIMAL, A COLOR, or SOMETHING ON WHEELS.  A
     juggling clown keeps score by adding a ball to the ones he is juggling
     when a right answer is given.
          PARTS AND WHOLE- Gives you pictures of objects on the screen.
     You are asked if they are the same thing or not.  If they are you are
     asked to pick out the object they belong to.
          SIZES- here you are shown pictures of the same object but
     different sizes.  You are asked which one is largest or smallest.
          THE RAINBOW ADVENTURE- uses the skills learned from the above
     activities.  You will be asked questions about objects on the screen
     an helk Clyde find the rainbow.
          This module also comes with a reader you and your child can read
     together.  This module uses a lot of color and sound to keep the
     interest of the child.

           READING TRAIL
          This module, by Scott, Foresman and company, is one in a series
     of programs designed to provide basic reading skills.  Reading Trail
     deals with recognizing characters, setting, and point of view.  Each
     section is divided into two parts, first a STUDY IT session where the
     particular skill is taught, then a TRY IT OUT section for practice.
     STUDY IT first explains what the section is about, and presents a
     paragraph to read.  A multiple choice question is asked after each
     paragraph.  In TRY IT OUT, a wizard tells eight short stories and the
     student must answer a question that deals with the particular skill
     being used.  An additional ALL SKILLS category tells a story that the
     student helps make up along the way.  Again, questions are asked about
     the characters in the story.  The module comes with a reader that has
     aditional stories to read.
          According to the manual, Reading Trail is designed for children
     in grades 3-5.  Reading Trail makes very good use of graphics and
     music, and has some excellent animated sequences.

           SCHOLASTIC SPELLING - LEVELS 3,4,5, AND 6
          The Scholastic Spelling modules provide spelling practice for 600
     different words in each module.  The words are divided into 36 lessons
     of 20 words each, with each 6th lesson being a review of 20 words from
     the last 5 lessons.  When the program begins, you are asked for a
     lesson number to study.  After selecting a lession, the computer lists
     all the words on the screen and speaks them.  You can then choose from
     3 different activities.  SPELLING BEE says a word and then asks you to
     spell it.  You can ask for clues consisting of vouls or consonants.
     If you answer correctly, a butterfly flies across the screen as a
     short song plays.  THAT DIT IT! is a hangman type game.  SPACE RACE is
     just like spelling bee except that no clues are given, and instead of
     a butterfly you get a spaceship flying across the screen.  All four
     modules follow the same format.
          I must admit that I had been tempted to purchase at least one of
     these modules at the retail price of $49.  When TexComp dropped the
     price to $20 for all four, I couldn't resist.  Boy, am I glad I didn't
     pay full price for them!  I am more disappointed with these modules
     than with any other software that I've purchased for my computer.  The
     speech used is the TEII type speech which is very hard to understand,
     and after spelling a few words, the butterflies and spaceships along
     with the crummy little songs that accompany them get to be too much to
     bear.  The manual says that after you complete a lesson by correctly
     spelling all 20 words, you get a longer musical reward, but the kids
     couldn't understand the spoken words well enough to spell them, and I
     couldn't stomach the short songs long enough to get that far.  I can't
     believe that anyone could take it for 600 words.
          The only bright thing about these modules is the manual.  Each
     one comes with a workbook for the kids, and mine really enjoyed them.
     All in all, I think you can find much better educational software to
     spend your money on.

           STAR MAZE
          This module, by Scott, Foresman and company, provides for
     practice of division problems through game playing.  The game, for one
     player, involves getting a lost character, call a Thid, through a maze
     of stars in order to get home to planet Mathid.  In order to move Thid
     through the maze, you must correctly answer division problems
     presented by the computer.  Each correct answer allows you to move
     Thid to any star in the maze that is adjacent to the one he is
     currently on.  The object is to get Thid home before time runs out,
     and also to accululate all the points you can while doing so.  The
     stars in the maze each have a point value, blue stars are worth 5
     points, yellow ones are 10. There is a red star on the maze, a Goodid
     star, that is worth 20 points.  Also, when you move Thid to the Goodid
     star the point values for the other stars are doubled for 15 seconds.
     There are three Badid stars, disguised as blue or yellow stars, hidden
     in the maze.  If you move Thid to a Badid star, he gets bounced around
     he maze, and stops on a star farther away from Mathid than before.
     The game ends when you get Thid home to Mathid, or when time runs out.
     The time is user selectable for 2,3, or 4 minutes.  The player can
     also select from three difficulty levels.
          Star Maze does not attempt to teach division, but is good at
     providing a fun way to practice it.  According to the manual, the game
     is mainly for third through sixth grade students, but older children
     an adults will be challenged by playing in the Master level of
     difficulty.

           STORY MACHINE
          This could well be one of the most overlooked educational modules
     of all.  How many times have you written a story and gone off day
     dreaming that it were really happening.  This module allows that to
     happen.  The module understands 50 key words.  As you type the words
     in, they are transformed into actions on the screen.  For example, if
     you were ty type in - "The dog dances near the boy." - it would really
     happen.  As soon as DOG was typed in a dog would appear on the screen.
     As soon as the sentence was completed a boy would appear and the dog
     would dance near him.  The story can become fairly involved and once
     it is finished you can see the whole thing replayed for you.  You can
     even save your stories on cassette or disk to be looked at again.  Now
     only if they'd come out with one to do the same thing with bill
     paying.

           TOUCH TYPING TUTOR
          Requirements: The basic console.
          Summary: The Touch Typing Tutor is designed to help you learn
     basic typing skills if you are a beginner, or to polish your
     touch-typing skills if you are an experienced typist.  The flexible,
     varied drills in this module provide practice on: 1) single keystokes
     and letter combinations. 2) over 40 frequently used word beginnings
     and endings. 3) Sentences.  4) Over 500 frequently used words.

          .PL 1