SEBRAN'S ABC

Sebran's ABC is a very intriguing educational software that was designed for children ages four to nine years of age. This software is a collection of twelve different activities for kids such as:

• How Many? (Teaching to count)
  
• Add
  
• Subtract
  
• Multiply
  
• Pick a Picture
  
• Finish Letter of a Word
  
• Memory
• Word Memory
• Hanaman
• ABC Rain
• Letter Rain
• 1& 2 Rain
  

The program is available in twenty-eight different languages and it allows you to choose whether you want sound effect and music. You are allowed to adjust the speed and letter casing to suit your preference. Sebran's ABC is enhanced by a variety of colors, delightful pictures, appealing music and exciting games which facilitates mathematical, language, spelling and memory skills.

Sebran's ABC permits the direct use of the software together with the hardware which would enable the participants to develop a sense of automaticity. This instructional software may be classified as a drill and practice together with problem solving skills. Since instructions to start and manipulate the software is simple children are capable of using it with little or no supervision. However younger children might not understand what they are supposed to do on their first time exploring the software. This is where they need the assistance from a more knowledgeable other according to Lev Vygotsky and his theory about scaffolding. As the participants acquire more experience they can be left to work on their own.

Sebran's ABC was created so that children would have a great play station for fun and exploration. The software is self paced and correct answers are given a smiling face or sad face if the answer is wrong.

This is a very effective software and both parents and teachers can incorporate it in their classroom activities or in their homes. Sebran's ABC attracts the attention of its participants since it uses concrete examples to identify the abstract and its cunning use of simulations. Sebran's ABC allow for higher order changes by enabling the participating individual to construct sentences by exploring the words learnt.

The link provided allows you to download Sebran's ABC software.

http://www.educational-freeware.com/freeware/sebrans-abc.aspx

RAY'S LETTERS AND NUMBERS

Ray's Letters and numbers is an educational software that was created for teaching children between the ages of three and six years their alphabet, numbers,counting,simple spelling, colours and everyday objects. The software is enhanced by comprehensible audio and stimulating colours which reinforces its appealing characteristics.

Letters and Numbers allows the child to explore and practice at his/her own pace. The program can also be used to improve a child's vocabulary since it gives the spelling and pronunciation of each object chosen. The software is recommendable because it allows students to construct their knowledge while experimenting. It is designed using concrete examples of which the children can relate to and they can be left to work on their own with very little supervision. This is quite beneficial, according to theorist Jean Piaget who stated that children constructed their knowledge through their own experiences and providing concrete illustrations helps them to understand and practice which can lead to automaticity.

Ray's Letters and Numbers is easily navigated by the clicking of the mouse and the language is extremely coherent.It also test the children's cognitive abilities by permitting them to put together a hat which is in the form of a puzzle. The software also ensures that the children know whether they are choosing the right answer by giving a simple "yes" for the correct answer. The voices are also interchangeable so that you do not get exhausted by continuously hearing the aforesaid voice. Ray's Letters and Numbers can easily be used by teachers or by parents because it encourages higher order changes by permitting the child to construct sentences from the words learned.

It is a resource that should be readily available in the classroom because it would allow the teacher to reiterate what was taught and incorporate fun into the learning process.

The link that is provided allows for the free download of the software Ray's Letters and Numbers.

http://www.rayslearning.com/lettersa.htm

EVALUATION OF THE SOFTWARE ABC FUN

ABC Fun i s a software designed by psychologists for teaching preschoolers their alphabet. I would recommend this software because of its inviting features. This software was designed using a variety of attractive colors which, would definitely stimulate the children’s mind. For instance, the initial instructions are straightforward, vocabulary is simple and precise and terminologies are easily understood. ABC Fun incorporates coherent audio, which describes the keys(letters of the alphabet) when pressed and images of objects along with sounds, pictures and spelling of the words which starts with the indicated letter. These characteristics make it simple for a preschooler to work on his/her own.

What makes the program interesting to continuously explore is that, every time a key is pressed a different object surfaces. This feature encourages and motivates the child to examine and re-examine every key. The headings on this software are easily recognized with blue and red color fonts and a substantial font size. This software is designed for children to progress at a faster pace, and also the features would assist the children with special needs as well.

The link provided would allow you to download a free trial version of the software and provides you with the option of buying the software for less than $2.99 US.

http://www.download.cnet.com/ABC-Fun/3000-18528_4-10915780.html