Software
Title: The Cat Came Back |
Publisher : |
Focus Multimedia |
Age Group : |
4
- 7 |
Curriculum Area : |
Language Development |
Year of Publication : |
97/98 |
Mac, PC or other : |
Win 3.1 /95 |
This CD ROM can be run in English .,French or Spanish. While I believeit to be a very worthwhile resource
if used in English with young children, ages 4 - 7 years, I have reservations about using
the French version.
Overview of
Teaching with this Title |
The children
follow the adventures of a cool cat who travels by balloon, spaceship, train and
stagecoach. The children are encouraged to
develop their reading, spelling, comprehension and vocabulary skills, as they turn
pictures into animations, words into songs, questions into answers. The CD also teaches
children basic musical notation and introduces them to musical instruments. As they proceed through the programme they can
collect clues and solve six mysteries within the story.
However, I question the level of difficulty in the French language used in the CD where
the subject matter would really only appeal to young children. Children using this programme would need a good
grasp of the French language, without this the children would loose motivation and
enthusiasm to complete the programme.
While the content is accurate and
reliable with pronunciation of a high standard, the language and style are in my opinion,
inappropriate for the target age group. There
is no facility to alter the level of difficulty within the programme.
The software is well designed,
being both visually and aurally stimulating and appealing.
On screen help is useful and distinct and the user can move between sections
easily.
Installation is straight
forward and quick. Unfortunately also there
is no supporting documentation. While
an excellent CD for the Junior classes if used in English, this CD is of minimal use to
the student of modern foreign languages in the primary school.
None