Software
Title: Junior Talking Dictionary. |
Publisher : |
Focus Multimedia Limited |
Age Group : |
7 - 12 years |
Curriculum Area : |
Modern Foreign Languages |
Year of Publication : |
1997 |
Mac, PC or other : |
Win 95 / Soundblaster / Microphone |
The CD provides the facility
to translate vocabulary from ones native tongue to a chosen modem foreign language.
Overview of
Teaching with this Title |
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.