Software Evaluation #2

Software Evaluation #2
(Jump Start Advanced Kindergarten)


Title of Software: Jump Start Advanced Kindergarten

Producer: 2002 Knowledge Adventure

Target students (e.g., age or grade-level of students): Ages 4-6, Kindergarten

Proficiency level (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced): Beginning - Intermediate Language Learner Level

Description:
This is entertaining animated software that has animal characters that guide the user through a colorful classroom and backyard setting. The learner is able to go through an alphabet banner, listen to stories, explore music, review the seasons, paint, learn numbers, patterns, compare item sizes, identify and sound out letters and create words. This is all accomplished through games and interactivity. The learner moves the mouse over items and the software tells the learner what the object is. Everything is sounded out allowing the learner to learn the items. The learner learns through the audio and visual support of the text and graphics on the screen.

Language skills targeted: Alphabet-letter Identification and sounds, vocabulary for language learners, word matching and sequencing

Evaluation:
This program’s strength is that it is very entertaining for young learners. Sounding out letters and small words would really help an emerging language learner. I also liked that the learner is able to hear how the word should be pronounced. The learner also has the opportunity to respond to the activities on screen and receive an immediate response. I also like that the learner is also able to learn English through Math and Music activities as well. Another capability I like is that this program lets the language learners listen to English and follow along with the stories being read. A weakness that I find is that a beginning language learner might still have some problems understanding some instructions to the activities. Maybe the programs should model as it verbalizes the instructions.

I feel that it would be effective to ELLs in learning English, if the learner is between beginning and intermediate. The reason I state this is because the instructions for the activities might confuse a language learner with absolutely no previous English experience. I currently teach 4th grade and I would use this program for my classroom for the language learners that are still having trouble reading and spelling words in English. The method of language learning is through the audio and visual support of the text and graphics on the screen.