[MACEP] Edutainment Software

[mhochberg at comcast.net]

Thanks, Jan. I appreciate the chance to write about it. By the time my column ended, it was getting to be a struggle to find software I could recommend buying.

---Mary
"We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn."   Mary Catherine Bateson

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Rose, Jan" <jrose at lshigh.org>
> What a GREAT explanation.  I had no clue.  Thanks you for sharing this, Mary.  I 
> am NOW informed.
> 
> Jan
> 
> Jan Rose
> Computer Coordinator
> La Salle Catholic College Preparatory
> Milwaukie, OR 97222
> 503-496-1741
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: macep-bounces at macep.net on behalf of mhochberg at comcast.net
> Sent: Thu 4/17/2008 5:25 PM
> To: macep at macep.net; macep at macep.net
> Cc: tchase
> Subject: Re: [MACEP] Edutainment Software
>  
> Hi, Tim!
> 
> As someone who wrote a weekly column on edutainment software, I can understand 
> your expectations.  Some of the programs and suites coming out in the late 90s 
> were amazing and I had high expectations for the future.
> 
> Unfortunately, the current state of children's educational software is abysmal. 
> As companies began swallowing each other, "new" programs were really old 
> programs with a new lead character and different packaging. 
> 
> The exceptions were programs that morphed into video games with no educational 
> content. For example, compare the later "Dr. Brain Action Reaction," a shoot' em 
> up action chase,  with the earlier "The Lost Mind of Dr. Brain," which was based 
> on Harold Gardner's work on multiple intelligences. 
> 
> As high speed Internet became more readily available, more publishers migrated 
> to the web, which decreased costs: no product to package and ship, less tech 
> support needed, and the fees rolled in each month.
> 
> For a good summary of what happened to children's software, check out. 
> 
> http://jamesgames.com/ChildrensSoftwareSectionHead.asp?chapter=Childrens%20Softw
> are 
> 
> Finally, the old programs are still available and most run quite well under 
> Windows XP.  If your library doesn't have them, check a local second hand store 
> or electronic recycler. NextStep in Eugene has an excellent selection of 
> edutainment software, including some for Macs. Of course, there is always eBay 
> and online stores.
> 
> The future of children's software is now on the web. Surprisingly, much of it is 
> not only free but it is darn good too. Check out  "Rainforest Maths" 
> 
> http://www.rainforestmaths.com/
> 
> Good luck in your search and please let us know what you find.
> 
> ---Mary
> "We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn."   Mary Catherine 
> Bateson
> 
>  -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: tchase <edtech2020 at gmail.com>
> > 
> > > Tricia's on to something -- there are so many amazing sites out there, 
> > >  one hardly needs to purchase software. 
> > > Most public libraries have a plethora of computer games to check out - 
> > > like Reader Rabbit and Freddy the Fish.  I think this is a better 
> > > route for these types of programs.
> > >
> > > -Jennifer
> > I like the idea of checking out computer games--that makes lots of 
> > sense!  I don't believe that the Bend libraries do that, but I'll 
> > check.  [Somehow I'm not surprised that a Gingerich boy spontaneously 
> > began podcasting in the third grade!]
> > 
> > I think I am seeking, though, good edutainment software (that I need to 
> > pay for).  I've used Starfall and PBS Kids and NLVM (and I did go check 
> > out the flash games from Tricia's link--thanks Tricia!), but I just 
> > don't feel they're on par with Reader Rabbit and the like.  This 
> > terribly old version that I have for my first grader so impresses me . . 
> > . they've rolled all the reading and math activities into a storyline 
> > and my kid is learning to solve problems while practicing the essential 
> > skills for grade level.  I think to myself "if they had software like 
> > this in 1998, what leaps of improvements must have happened in the 
> > decade between times?"
> > 
> > ~Tim
> > __________________
> > Tim Chase
> > Bend La Pine Schools
> > <edtech2020 at gmail.com>
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