French Software Which We Reviewed

Publisher:       Softkey Multimedia Inc.

                  Wimbledon Common, London. 1996

 Windows 3.1 / 95  Macintosh

This multimedia pictionary dictionary is a valuable resource for any modem foreign language class in primary school.

By purusing Timmy's Magic Picture Diary, the child can explore a variety of settings - the park, the post office, the restaurant, the bank, the countryside, the zoo etc.  As he/she visits these scenes, the child hears the French word for the item on which they click and sees the word printed on the screen. I used the CD ROM to link in with the themes being taught in the classroom.  The children had heard and used a lot of the words in each theme prior to using a particular section of the CD ROM.  Thus, their explanation of the section provided an opportunity to consolidate vocabulary learned.

There is a facility to load words leamt into a file and folder for future reference.  This is the only facility available to record work explored by the children.  The On Screen help is useful, clear and child friendly.  Tim is always available to give assistance.  One can move easily between the Diary, the Glossery and the Slide Show whose symbols are displayed on each window.  The volume and exit key are constantly available.

The programme is easy to load, responds quickly to child input and one can exit the programme with little difficulty.

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Publisher:                    Focus Multimedia Limited

                                      Staffordshire, England 1997

Age Group                    7 - 12 years

 Curriculum Area:        Modern Foreign Languages

 Windows 3.1 / 95

 Soundblaster & Microphone

The CD provides the facility to translate vocabulary from ones native tongue to a chosen modem foreign language. 

I chose to translate from English to French.  The operator selects from a wide range of topics e.g. clothes, dishes, animals, the town, school, seaside etc.  Within the topic the operator selects a word from an extensive list.  A graphic of the chosen word appears on the screen accompanied by the written word in French and English.  By clicking on the ear symbol, one can hear the word spoken.

The content is accurate and reliable and very extensive withpronunciation of a high standard.  Some of the topics I feel are unsuitable for use in the MFL class within the primary school, due to their level of difficulty and irrelevance to the children's lives e.g. Ancient History, Myths and Magic, Insects.  There is no facility to alter / choose a level of difficulty
Within other topics, the range of vocabulary is so extensive I feel it could affect the children's motivation and level of interest.  Also the facility to translate verbs into the tenses - present, future, conditional, imperfect, perfect, may be more suitable to children in second level.

The content is presented in, I believe, in an unimaginative manner which will not appeal to the child.  The software is easy to use and one can exit it with difficulty.

In general, I feel the use of this CD ROM in the modem foreign language class in primary schools is limited, due mainly to its lack of creativity and child stimulation.

There is no supporting documentation to accompany this CD ROM. I used this software to provide children with an opportunity to revise and hear vocabulary taught in class.  Children worked on an individual basis using headphones in order to minimize class disruption.  They were given a particular topic to explore.  There is no facility to record the topics vocabulary explored by the child.

Publisher:              Knowledge Adventure

Age Group:             5 - 8 years

Cuririculum Areas:    Modern Foreign Languages

Windows 98 / 95 / 3.1 Power Mac

Jump Ahead French is a useful resource for the Modem Foreign Language class.One is welcomed into Rabbits colourful and interesting Clubhouse.  The player is encouraged to explore and investigate items in the Clubhouse.  Each item is linked to a particular number, the town, the calendar.  By clicking on items within the chosen theme, the player hears the word in French and sees it printed on the screen.  The game facility within each theme allows the player to revise, practice and consolidate the vocabulary which he/she has learned at two levels in a fun and stimulating fashion.

I used this software in conjunction with class lessons on the topics.   The children had already heard and used these words prior to their work on the computer.  The children using headphones, in order to minimise class disruption, worked individually.

The content is accurate, reliable and up-to-date without cultural gender or racial bias.  Pronunciation is of a high standard.  Within some of the themes e.g. The Town, The House, I felt the range of vocabulary which the children were introduced to was too broad and unnecessary, particularly for the recommended age group.  The software is designed in a multi-sensory fashion, appealing to a variety of learning modes - visual, aural and linguistic.

The pictures presented in each theme contain plenty of action which is more appealing to young children than motionless pictures.
The background music is cheerful and appealing to young children and clever use is made of the friendly rabbit character who is available for assistance.  Clear distinct instructions are issued at all times.Displayed on each window as the children proceed through the software are distinct symbols which provide for assistance, repeat of directions, change of game level, progress report and awards scheme.  The player can move easily between each of these.

The progress report facility provides a detailed account to both teacher and student of the topics covered, the number of games played within each section and the score achieved.  This report can be printed. One can edit the programme easily - a necessary facility for the classroom setting.  The product runs on auto load and launches quickly.  Response to child input is automatic.

Unfortunately, there is no support documentation to accompany this software.  It is only through exploration of the software by the teacher, that one becomes familiar with its content and operation.

In general, this is a useful resource and one which appeals to the children.

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