The Sunflower Number Show

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! THE SUNFLOWER NUMBER SHOW Producer: Macmillan Memory Required: 48K Retail Price: £5.95 Age Range: all ages This electronics sums game is, I suppose, an attempt to make arithmetic more enjoyable, but it really is not too far removed from the drill and practice routines which no longer assume such an important role in the school curriculum. This package makes the mistake of trying to be all things to all people - we are told that it is 'a superb mental arithmetic challenge for all ages', that there is'a vast amount of game settings', and that there are 'over 2,000 possible options'. Admittedly, the program is extremely flexible, but all it is doing is giving practice in using two numbers to create a third for no obvious reason. In the first game, Sunflower the player has to answer the sums correctly so that the sunflower will grow. If the correct answer is input, a bird flies off and the player is rewarded with a 'Well done'. If the player answers incorrectly the deadly weevil moves closer to the sunflower. The next game uses a similar format, except this time the right answer causes a shower cloud to move across the sky to a point where it Waters the roses. In spite of the number of options available, this is really a very limited kind of program since it can only be used with one child at a time in order to reinforce work which has already been taught. Neither is the aim of the game sufficiently exciting or interesting to motivate children to produce the correct answers, or strong enough to hold their attention for very long. As an attempt to make sums more enjoyable, I'm afraid the program is a dismal failure. COMMENTS Control keys: number keys only, followed by ENTER Keyboard play: keys must be pressed fairly slowly and deliberately Use of colour: quite effective Graphics: dull and uninspired