Several improvements have been made in version 1.2 of the series:
• You now have more control over settings such as sound level and difficulty level of the problems.
• It is possible to preview the problems on both the top and bottom of the page before printing.
• Calculations are now faster; the critical scripts for doing these calculations have been compiled into XCMD's using Heizer Software's CompileIt!
• A password-protection feature prevents students from changing difficulty levels or accessing the Home Stack (this password feature can be disabled by the teacher or parent).
• The stack is now fully compatible with the HyperCard Player, as well as with HyperCard version 2.0 or above.
• At the suggestion of teachers, all problems are now oriented vertically. This enables students to work each problem to the right of the original problem.
Using the stacks:
1. After double-clicking on the stack, it will start up and take you through the introduction. Then you arrive at the Main Menu, from which you can choose the type of worksheet you want to create, or other options.
2. Sound output can be adjusted or turned off from within the stack (for use in a classroom setting). You do not have to use a Control Panel to change the volume. The Settings card contains choices of variable difficulty levels.
Difficulty levels are as follows for each title in the series:
Instant MathSheet:
Level 1 (Very Easy)--only one digit numbers appear in the problems (with the exception of the division page, on which two-digit numbers can appear in the dividend); no negative numbers possible in answers; no remainders possible in division problems;
Level 2 (Easy)--a combination of one- and two-digit numbers appear in the problems; no negative numbers possible in answers; no remainders possible in division problems;
Level 3 (Medium)--a combination of one- and two-digit numbers appear in the problems; negative numbers are possible in answers on the appropriate pages; remainders are possible in division problems;
Level 4 (Challenging)--a combination of one-, two- and three-digit numbers appear in the problems; no negative numbers are possible in answers on the appropriate pages; no remainders are possible in division problems;
Level 5 (Very Challenging)--a combination of one-, two-, and three-digit numbers appear in the problems; negative numbers are possible in answers on the appropriate pages; remainders are possible in division problems.
Instant Fractions:
Level 1 (Very Easy)--like denominators; denominators are less than 6; numerators are less than denominators;
Level 2 (Easy)--like denominators; denominators are less than or equal to 10; numerators are less than denominators;
Level 3 (Medium)--possible unlike denominators; denominators are less than 6; numerators are less than denominators;
Level 4 (Challenging)--possible unlike denominators; denominators are less than or equal to 10; numerators are less than denominators;
Level 5 (Very Challenging)--possible unlike denominators; denominators are less than or equal to 10; numerators can be greater than denominators.
Instant Decimals:
Level 1 (Very Easy)--in the problems, one digit appears to the right of the decimal point, and one digit to the left (more can appear in answers); no negative numbers possible;
Level 2 (Easy)--one digit appears to the right of the decimal point and up to two digits appear to the left of the decimal point; no negative numbers are possible;
Level 3 (Medium)--in the problems, up to two digits appear to the right and left of the decimal point; negative numbers are possible in answers on the subtraction page;
Level 4 (Challenging)--in the problems, up to two digits appear to the right of the decimal point and up to three digits appear to the left of the decimal point; no negative numbers are possible in answers on the subtraction page;
Level 5 (Very Challenging)--in the problems, up to two digits appear to the right of the decimal point and up to three digits appear to the left of the decimal point; negative numbers are possible in answers on the subtraction page.
Instant PerCents:
Level 1 (Very Easy)--numbers are equivalent to percentages in increments of 10; no numbers greater than 100% appear in the problems;
Level 2 (Easy)--numbers are equivalent to percentages in increments of 5; no numbers greater than 100% appear in the problems;
Level 3 (Medium)--numbers are equivalent to percentages in increments of 2; no numbers greater than 100% appear in the problems;
Level 4 (Challenging)--numbers are equivalent to percentages in increments of 1 or less than 1; no numbers greater than 100% appear in the problems;
Level 5 (Very Challenging)--numbers are equivalent to percentages in increments of 1; numbers greater than 100% are possible.
To save any settings you have chosen, click on the "Save All Settings" button, and you will then be returned to the Main Menu. Your settings will also be saved even after you quit from the stack. The next time you start up the stack, the volume and difficulty levels will be those you have chosen and saved.
Users with printers capable of draft mode will be able to set this using the
following steps:
a. Press command-spacebar to bring up the menu bar.
b. Go to the File Menu and highlight "Page Setup."
c. Now set the parameters for your particular printer as you desire.
d. Now use the print buttons (on your Instant Math screen) to print a worksheet or answer key; your settings previously chosen in the Page Setup will take effect. This can be quite a time- and ink-saver for those with certain models of printers.
If you experience problems with printing, check all cables and printer lights. Make sure you have the appropriate driver for your printer installed in the System Folder. Insert paper correctly into the printer. Use the Chooser to select the printer. If the page still will not print, you may be experiencing a memory problem. HyperCard comes configured for a minimal amount of memory. Assuming you have enough available RAM, you can raise this allocated amount of memory by taking the following steps:
a. Quit from your Instant Math Series stack.
b. Find the icon for HyperCard or HyperCard Player, depending on which program you are using. Click only ONE time on the HyperCard icon or the HyperCard Player icon, to select (highlight) it.
c. From the File Menu, select "Get Info."
d. The current size of the memory allocated to the program appears in the lower right corner of the Get Info window. Try raising it to at least 1300 K.
e. Close out the Get Info window.
f. Double-click on the Instant Math Series icon for the stack you wish to use.
g. Try printing once again. If it still does not work, you will need to follow steps a through f again, repeatedly raising the memory allocation by 256K increments until you can print properly.
If you get an out of memory message that tells you that you do not have enough memory to run HyperCard or HyperCard Player, then you should consider buying more RAM in the form of SIMMs for your Macintosh. Your local Apple dealer can assist you in the selection and installation of these SIMMs. HyperCard and the HyperCard Player run optimally under more RAM, and you will find the extra RAM useful with many other newer programs and systems.
Schools and other institutions may inquire about purchasing procedures and site licenses. Teachers and parents who wish to photocopy the printed version of a worksheet may do so for their classes or children.
To find out more about other educational stacks produced by France & Associates, contact the owner at the above address or phone number or electronically via E-mail:
GEnie: J.FRANCE
America Online: JanF
Internet: Janf@aol.com
Only the Instant Math Series Demos may be copied, uploaded to online services, and given to others. The full version is obtainable only by registering the shareware.
