Shareware Overload/ShartewareOverload.cdr/educ/phonics1.zip/PHONICS.DOC

Text File | 1988-08-22 | 20KB | 545 lines

                N I G H T H A W K    C O M P U T I N G
                331 Orchard St., Leavenworth, WA 98826
              COMPUTER PROGRAM USER DOCUMENTATION - 1988



1.   DESCRIPTION

         Program Name:          Phonics Plus (2 disk set)
         Program Executable:    PHONMENU (PX.bat) & PXMENU (PXGAMES.bat)
                            or  BOTHMENU (PHONICS.bat) for HD or 3.5 disk
         Language:              IBM Compiled BASIC V1.0
         Author:                Elmer Larsen,  Date: July, 1988
         Version Number         1.0

         (C) Copyright NIGHTHAWK COMPUTING, 1988
               - All Rights Reserved


2.   INTRODUCTION

     "PHONICS PLUS" is a two program set of routines designed to
provide the young learner with reinforcement of the phonetic elements
of early reading skills. 

     The first program consists of a series of exercises and drills
that are organized around the consonants and the long and short vowels.

     The second program is a series of word games that utilize the
words and objects learned under the first program.

     Both progams rely heavily on graphics and animation to make the
learning process fun. The menus that control the routines are in the
form of pictures or symbols that allow the child with limited reading
skills to move freely between the various routines.


PX Program - the routines are:

     A  -  The first routine (Consonants) is designed with four
specific drill areas; (1) beginning consonants, (2) final consonants,
(3) medial consonants, and (4) a mix of both beginning and final
consonants.  Correct responces to the drills are reinforced with the
action of a little man climbing and diving from a high ladder.

     B  -  The second routine (Vowels) is designed with exercies of
long vowel sounds, short vowel sounds, or a mix of both. Various
combinations of vowels or specific vowels may be selected. For example
you can have a drill of just short "e" sounds, or a drill of just long
and short "e" sounds, or a drill of all long vowels, etc.

     Correct answers with some of the exercises are displayed by
blasting the vowel out of the air or smashing it in a press.  Success
with some of the other exercises will win a turn at the "Penny
Arcade" (spaceship game).











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PXGAMES Program - the routines are:

     A  -  The first routine (WORDS) is designed to use a series of
pictures to lead the child into spelling a word. As the child keys the
first letter of the name for a series of small images shown, the
pictures are replaced by the keyed letters. Upon completion, a word has
been spelled and a short animated sequence will take place in the top
screen section to illustrate the concept of the word.

     B  -  The second routine (HIDDEN) is designed in the popular game
format where a group of words are hidden in an array of letters.  Up to
eight clue words are shown outside the block of letters. As the child
locates the hidden words, the clue words are replaced by a picture.
Options allow the player to work from either a list of words or a
series of pictures. Another option allows the parent to build their own
word list to work from.

     C  -  The third routine (CROSSWORD) is a scaled down version of
the standard "cross word" game where clues for across and down words
are given and the child types in the words. Options allow the clues to
be presented in the form of either pictures or as statements (text).
Another option allows the parent to build a list of words and
associated clues that can be used to play the game. The error checking
of the entry can be set to any one of three levels; (1) with each
letter typed, (2) after each word is entered, or (3) at the end of the
game when all the words have been entered.



3.   GETTING STARTED

     (If your computer uses the Hercules monochrome graphics you should
review the INSTALLATION section at the end of this documentation before
proceeding.)

     The program consists of routines accessed through a menu program.
Load DOS in the normal way, place the program disk "PHONICS" in the
default drive, and give the command:

     PX <enter>   or   PXGAMES <enter>    or
     PHONICS <enter>  (if programs are on a hard disk or 3.5 disk)

     The program writes to a file during operations so the program disk
can not be write protected and must remain available in the default disk
drive until the running of the program is complete.

     The initial screen displays the name of the program, the copyright
notice and a menu of available options. The menu is in the form of a
picture for each of the options.  You make a selection by using the
spacebar or cursor arrows to move the blinking box to the picture
representing the desired option and then keying <RETURN>.










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     If you prefer to have the menu displayed in normal words with some
additional options being available, press the "ALT" and the "M" keys
simultaneously and then you may select your choice using this expanded
menu. (See the next section on Expanded Menu.)

     NOTE: When a routine is selected via the picture menu, the options
within that routine will be as they where last selected under the
expanded menu.

     Upon completion or termination of any of the routines, the program
will return the user to the picture menu.

     To "STOP" the game and return to DOS you must be in one of the two
main menus and then press the "ESC" key.  If you key "ESC" while in any
of the routines, the program will leave that routine and return you to
the main menu.

     CONTROL KEYS ---- In addition to the "ESC" key which terminates
either a routine or the program and the "ALT M" key combination that
switches you between the two menus, some other control keys are
available.

       ALT S  - Turns the sound in the program OFF or ON.  It can be
keyed at anytime in any of the routines.

       ? (question mark)  -  Keying it will cause a window to be
displayed that contains HELP instructions pertaining to the area of the
program that you are in.

       + (plus or equal key) - Within some of the routines, the "+" key
can be used if some assistance is needed.  It can be used to help
identify an object, or display words or answers within some of the
games.



4.   EXPANDED MENU

     The expanded menu for the main Phonics program ("PX" program) is
in the form of a menubar with drop down windows.  You make selections
by using the spacebar to highlite the desired option and then keying
<return>.

     The expanded menu for the Phonics Games ("PXGAMES" program) begins
by displaying a window containing the routines available plus the
RETURN TO DOS option.  You select your choice by moving the check mark
to the desired option and then keying <RETURN>.  A second window will
then appear that contains a choice of actions available.  Again you
make a selection using the space bar and carriage return.












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     With the last entry, the limits you entered will be saved (to be
used as the defaults for the picture menu) and then play will begin.
Prior to the last entry you can cancel your selections and begin again
by pressing the special function key "F1".



5.   PROGRAM OPERATIONS


     CONSONANTS

     In the CONSONANTS routines a drawing of an object will be
displayed and then either the missing letter in the name of the object
will need to be entered or the correct letter (first, last or both) may
have to be selected from a group of possible answers.

     Selection of an answer is controlled by pressing the spacebar (or
using cursor keys) to move a blinking box shape cursor to the letter
that represents the correct answer and then keying <RETURN> to indicate
your choice.


     VOWELS

     All of the VOWEL routines work in a multiple-choice format where
either the name of an object is identified, or the object that has a
give long or short vowel in its name has to be identified, or the vowel
sound in the name of an object has to be identified.

     Selection of an answer is controlled by pressing the spacebar (or
using cursor keys) to move a blinking box shape cursor to the image or
word that represents the correct answer and then keying <RETURN> to
indicate your choice.  In one of the routines a gun or a press has to
be moved to line up vertically with the answer and then <RETURN> is
keyed.  The gun or press can be moved by using either the left and
right cursor keys or pressing the spacebar.

     At the competion of some of the vowel routines, an arcade style
game is called where a "laser cannon" is used to shoot down some "alian
spaceships".  The laser cannon is aimed by using the right and left
cursor keys and it is fired by keying the spacebar or return.  You have
15 shots available to shoot down five spaceship.  The quicker they are
hit the more points are awarded.  (NOTE: This game can be called and
played directly by entering "GUNSHIP" at the DOS prompt.)
















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     WORDS

     There are 22 words to be spelled out and the small images used to
represent the letters are selected randomlly each time the game is
played. The screen is split into two sections with up to five small
images being displayed in the lower section while the top section
remains blank. As the child keys the first letter of the name of each
of the small images shown, the pictures are replaced by the keyed
letters. Upon completion, a word has been spelled and a short animated
sequence will take place in the top screen section to illustrate the
concept of the word.  The display format of the letters can be set to
either upper or lower case.


     HIDDEN WORDS PUZZLE

     The screen displays a box with seven rows of eleven letters each.
Surrounding this array of letters will be up to eight smaller boxes
with a clue word in each.  Each of these clue words is hidden somewhere
within the array of letters.  The words only read forward or down and
are always in a straight line and never skip letters. The words may
overlap and letters may be used more than once. Not all the letters
will be used.

     Shown within the array is a green circle. This circle can be moved
around using the cursor keys and is used to encircle a words.  When a
word is found, move the green circle to the first or last letter of the
word and key a carriage return <ENTER>. The circle will turn yellow and
be anchored to this letter. The cursor keys are again used and now the
circle will stretch out to enclose the word.

     Once a word has been enclosed, the clue word (outside the array)
will be replaced by its associated object. To continue play, just move
to the next word.  If you began to capture a word and found it was
wrong, you can release it by keying the "spacebar".

     When three puzzles have been solved, the game is completed and the
program will return to the main picture menu.


     CROSSWORD PUZZLE

     The program will spend a few seconds selecting words and then a
"crossword puzzle" will be drawn on the left side of the screen and
clue boxes for across and down will be drawn on the right. The first
letter location for each word on the puzzle will be highlighted. When
the box shaped cursor is moved to one of these highlighted locations,
the clue (either a picture or statement) will be displayed for that
word.  Only one word should start from any highlighted location.













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     When a letter is entered, the cursor will move to the next letter
location if the program can determine the proper direction to move. If
it can't, then the cursor keys should be used to move to the next
letter location.  If error checking is set to check with each entry,
only the correct letter can be entered.  If error checking is set for
checking at the end of either a word or the game, any wrong entries
will be displayed in red and will need to be corrected. If the child is
having trouble identifing the word or a correct letter, pressing the
"+" or "=" key will cause the correct letter for the present cursor
location to be displayed.

     When three puzzles have been solved, the game is completed and the
program will return to the main picture menu.


     EDITING WORD LISTS

     An option under the parent menu allows editing of a word (or word
and clue) list for either the HIDDEN or CROSSWORD puzzles.  Each puzzle
has a default list with about 75 starter words in it. When editing is
selected, the game image for the selected edit is displayed in the
background and windows for editing are opened in the foreground. The
function keys (or home, end, pg up, pgdn) are used to move through the
list.

     With the CROSSWORD edit, only one word and the associated clue is
displayed at a time.  Clues for the first ten words in the list are
present but the words have been left blank.  These are suggested clues
that can be used to personalize the game with such words as the names
of family or friends.

     With either word list, you can search for a given word, add
words, or delete words. When exiting from the edit, if any changes were
made to the list, you are asked if the new list should be saved or not.

     NOTE:  Within the programs, space has been set aside for up to 200
words. However, because of disk capacity on the 5 inch floppy disk you
may encounter an error message if you approch the 200 word limit.  One
way to gain additional disk space is to delete the INSTALL.BAT file.
(Provided you have a disk backup and have already installed the
program.)



6.   EQUIPMENT

     This program is designed to run on an IBM PC or compatible with at
least 256K memory and using DOS 2.1 or higher.  The computer must have
IBM CGA graphics capability.  A double sided (320k) disk drive is
required as well.











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7.   INSTALLATION

     BACK-UP FIRST THING: Before you attempt to run the program or
perform the installation procedure, you should take the time to make a
back-up copy of the program diskette.  Refer to your DOS manual for the
procedure to back-up diskettes (or follow the steps outlined under -
MAKING A BOOTABLE DISKETTE COPY, shown below).


     If any of the following conditions exist, you will need to perform
the INSTALL procedure:

     A -  If you are using a Hercules monochrome graphics card.

     B -  If you wish to make the program self-booting so that it
starts automatically when the power to the computer is turned on.

     C -  If you wish to place the program on a hard disk.

The install process will handle 1 or 2 drive systems with or without a
hard disk.  To begin the INSTALL, start your computer in the normal
manner and then with the DOS A> prompt showing, place the PROGRAM disk
into drive A and type in;

         INSTALL <enter>

     You will be asked to respond to a series of questions so that the
proper action can be taken.  Once the installation is complete you
should be able to run the program.



     NOTE:  We have attempted to make the installation process as
straight forward as possible.  However, because of the various disk
formats as well as versions of DOS that are used by the IBM PC
compatibles, there is the possibility that our installation will not
work with all systems. If for some reason the above installation
procedure does not seem to work, you should try making a bootable
version of the program as outlined below.


     MAKING A BOOTABLE DISKETTE COPY

     Use the following procedure to create a bootable copy of your
program diskette.  The instructions are for a two-drive system but will
also work for a one-drive system.  If you do have a one-drive system,
the computer will prompt you when you need to change disks. You will
need a blank diskette.













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     A) Format the blank diskette as a system diskette using the "/S"
formatting parameter.  This will place the necessary system files on
the diskette to allow you to boot the system from the diskette.  Review
you DOS manual for details on the FORMAT command.

     B) Move the newly formatted bootable diskette to drive A.  Place
the original program diskette in drive B and type:

         A>COPY  B:*.*  /V

     C) When the DOS prompt reappears, remove the bootable copy from
drive A and label it as your program diskette.  Since you formatted the
diskette as a system diskette under step A above, you will now be able
to boot from it.

     D) Remove the original program diskette from drive B and store it
in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and magnetic fields.
This is your original which should be kept safe for back-up.


====================================================================

NOTE #1:  If your system uses a Hercules monochrome graphics card you
will still need to start the INSTALLATION procedure as outlined under
INSTALLATION OF THE PROGRAM.

     Using the newly created program disk, start the INSTALL process
and respond to the first question about the Hercules graphics card by
entering "H". This will place the proper batch files on the diskette
for starting the program using Hercules graphics.  Since the system
files are already in place on the bootable diskette, you can terminate
the installation when the next question appears on the screen (type of
installation you want).

====================================================================

NOTE #2:  If the programs are installed on a hard disk or if they are
run from the 3.5 diskette, there is a MASTER MENU that sits above the
menus for the two programs (PX and PXGAMES).  This MASTER MENU (titled
PHONICS) is provided to allow the two programs to be operated as one.
Either program can be called from this MASTER MENU which in turn calls
up the menu for the particular program.  Any options to the manner in
which a program is played will need to be set using the specific menu
for that program.  If a program is started from the MASTER MENU then
when you elect to return to DOS from that program, you are not returned
to DOS but instead returned to the MASTER MENU.  You will need to key
"Esc" a second time to end the session.

====================================================================













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====================================================================

Any errors or comments concerning this program should be directed to:

         Elmer H Larsen
         NIGHTHAWK COMPUTING
         331 Orchard Street
         Leavenworth, WA 98826     Phone [phone]

=====================================================================