Little Red Wagon

Title: The little Red Wagon

Publisher: Little fingers

URL: ftp://ftp.amug.org/pub/amug/bbs-in-a-box/files/edu/k-6/a-1/little-red-wagon-1

Requirements: Macintosh running system 7+ with 4MB RAM


Value Judgement

The cost of this software package is $16 if it is kept after 20 days. I believe that this software package is beneficial for kinder / prep children, as it assists them in independent learning through:

* Colours, patterns and shapes

* 'Simple' mathematical skills using numbers 1 - 10

* Memory and matching skills

* Mouse manipulation skills

* Recognition of upper and lower case letters

* Value of money and how the economy works, through the use of the 'tickets'

I believe that this software package is great for young children as it is such a 'simple' program to use. The program only requires the student to click on the appropriate boxes. There is no need for any other computer use i.e use of the keyboard. The bright colours and sound affects also make it appealing for children to use. I also believe that this software program is great for independent learning. It requires the student to work independently to accomplish the tasks and achieve their final goal.


Documentation

The operating instructions are provide within the game. The students may find out all the necessary information required for the game by clicking on the 'help' sign and holding down the mouse key. The instructions will then appear on the screen. One of the 'down falls' of the software package is that the game cannot be modified to accomodate students with 'higher' ability levels.


Operation

The 'Little Red Wagon' contains six games that are displayed on the beginning screen (see below). The child must select the game that they wish to play by clicking on the appropriate picture. Listed below is a description of what each game entitles.

Flowers

A number of seeds are placed next to the 'little red wagon'. The child must match the number of seeds with the numeral in the garden. If the child is right a flower will grow.

 
Gate

Six cupboards are displayed on the screen. The child must click on two of the cupboard doors at one time, and match the shapes behind each door.

 

Mailbox

An envelope with a coloured stamp and a number on it is in the 'little red wagon'. The child must match the number and colour with one of the six letter boxes.

 

Tree

There are three fruit trees displayed on the screen. Each tree has a number on its trunk. The child is required to pick that number of fruit from the tree by using the mouse and clicking. After completing all three tress, the child must match the number of fruit on the ground to the number bar below.

 

Ice-cream cart

A letter is provided on the top of the ice-cream cart. The child must match the letter to the alphabet chart. When the letter is found on the chart the child must note the pattern next to the letter, and click on the same patterned ice-cream flavour.

* The letters may be changed to upper or lower case, by clicking on the icon at the bottom of the screen.

 
Manhole

The 'little red wagon' has a coloured shape in it. The child must shine a flash light (by using the mouse to drag) and match the shape in the wagon to one in the water pipes. When the light shines on the shapes, the shapes change to a different colour. Once all the shapes have been matched, the water runs through the pipes.

* When completing all the games the child may go to the shop to redeem their tickets. The child will receive tickets from completing each game. The more tickets the child has, the more that they can buy.


Observation

Through observing a child of five use the 'little red wagon' program, I found that he really enjoyed the games. He especially liked the part where he got to redeem his tickets at the end of the game. The reason that he enjoyed the games so much may be because the game had a goal to work towards.

One problem that I noticed while he was playing the game is that I needed to explain the instructions to him. This was because he was not a 'fluent' reader so the help icon did not mean much to him. I also found that the child's skills developed greatly as he played the games over and over. Although the memory game (in the gate) may have been too easy as he completed it very quickly and tended to get bored with it.

I believe that the child's skills have increased greatly in mouse manipulation. As the child; prior to the computer session, had very limited experience with using a computer. The child has also learnt a lot about basic mathematical concepts. For example he is a great deal faster at matching a symbolic representation to an exact figure.

 

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