Kiddisoft issue 1

Crash

Rosetta McLeod

CRASH COURSE By Rosetta McLeod COMPUTERS AS COMMUNICATORS... How do you feel about a computer program for babies? I must admit that when the tape Turntaking arrived on my desk, with its claim to be 'simple enough for babies', my initial reaction was one of horror! The picture came into my mind of helpless babies propped up in front of a TV Screen to amuse themselves with the game while harrassed parents got on with the chores, or snatched the opportunity to put their feet up for ten minutes. But this, of course, is not what it's all about. No matter what sort of educational programs we're talking about-' whether it's ones like this for the very young child, or an exam revision program for older teenagers - working with the computer should not be seen as a solitary activity. Yet many people still look at micros as being useful only in a one-child-one computer situation, where the child is assumed to be taught by the computer which is taking the place of an adult instructor. I know there are some educational programs (which have been reviewed in Crash Course), which are marketed on the fact that they can be used by children without any adult supervision whatsoever. No parent, though, who wishes to do the best for his or her child, should be happy to delegate the responsibility for home education to the computer. When the television became a common piece of furniture in the home, it was criticised for destroying family life. 'Families don't talk any more', became the cry. 'Everyone just sits impassively in front of the screen. The only discussion that takes place is when there is a disagreement over which programme to watch.' Now that a vast number of homes possess micros, modern technology has been blamed for being the ultimate destroyer of any interaction between parents and their children. I believe, however, that used correctly the computer can increase communication between children and adults. The best home computer education programs are those which encourage the parent to work alongside the child, helping and directing progress. This is not to say that the child must never be left atone with the computer: as the notes for the Turntaking program say, 'If you are busy you will be able to leave children to play with the program themselves and they can tell you about it when you come to see how they are getting on...' It's this 'telling about it' process which is so important Let's start thinking about computers as an aid to communication for a change! KIDDISOFT Producer: Kiddisoft Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £3.99 per month Age Range: 4 to 8 years This tape magazine was briefly mentioned in the article on Magnetic Magazines in the July issue of CRASH. Anne Menneer, the person behind Kiddisoft, aims to build up an interactive magazine using letters and pictures from children as well as offering a range of programs designed to have a learning content at the same time as being fun to play. Edition number One of the magazine contains six games covering a variety of skills from adding up to ten in Adder to word matching in Pip. There is also a Nature Corner where, m this edition, the child can learn about the Great Tit. A simple adventure game, The Adventures of Pisky Green, is to be a regular feature. All the activities incorporated in the magazine are the sort of things you'd find going on in a primary classroom letter and number work, reading, finding out, etc - so the cassette would be useful for reinforcing these basic skills. Most of the games are relatively simple and easy to play, though in Pip the word matching game where a series of words of a similar pattern - dip, bud, dab, dub - are flashed onto the screen, the letters are so small that a child would have difficulty in deciphering the word. The scansion of the short doggerel verse in Humpty is rather unsuccessful: If Humpty's sum is wrong you see Then you must press any key If Humpty's sum is right Then do nothing and sit tight. The adventure game about Pisky Green is quite an interesting attempt to make a computer adventure more accessible to the young child. In the game, you are Pisky Green and the bad Raven has taken seven of your treasures - including a tin of fudge, and a bottle of mead which you have to go out and recover. Instead of having to type in a command in the usual way, a question is displayed on the screen eg: Will you go north? The other options available are only displayed it the player indicates that north is not the desired direction by pressing N for No. Daniel and Nicholas enjoyed this game, and if will be interesting to see how the adventures develop in the forthcoming editions of the magazine. All in all, I like the idea behind this tape magazine, particularly the interactive aim. This, though, depends on the response from children, so I hope that parents and teachers will encourage their children to send off their pictures and letters to the Kiddisoft Club. With a little bit of polishing, this magazine could be a successful venture - I, certainly hope it is. COMMENTS Control keys: kept simple for a young child to operate Keyboard play: responsive Use of colour: simple but reasonably effective Graphics: not particularly inspiring