Early Learning 1

Phone: 763-755-1402Email: mail@marblesoft.com

System Requirements: Mac/Win CD. Windows requires 98 or newer. Mac requires MacOs 9.0.4 or newer. Supports mouse, touch window, Intellikeys and switch access.
Cost: Single copy $70.00

Reviewer: LeeAnn O'Leary
Special Education Assistive Technology Assistant
Horace W. Porter School
3 Schoolhouse Road
Columbia, CT. 06237
LOLeary@hwporter.org

Rating: A

Early Learning 1 is a pre-reading program designed for ages 2-5 but appropriate for somewhat older students with special needs. Single and dual switch scanning offers adjustability in access for student needs. The on screen prompt facilitates student success. Early Learning 1 also offers the teacher the chance to monitor a student's progress with the ability to create a student data file for each student. The program offers the chance to adjust the speech and sound effects from verbose to limited or none at all. Another feature is the ability to adjust the prompting interval and change the reinforcements from a rocket ship, hot air balloon or none.

The program provides 4 different activities. Another feature of the program is the ability to set the level of difficulty within each of the activities. The activities included:

1. matching colors.
2. learning shapes
3. counting numbers
4. letter match

Matching colors:

The teacher can choose from 4 to 12 colors for the student to practice. Pictures can be presented as graphic blocks of solid color or as common objects depicted in basic colors. This activity provides 5 different levels of difficulty using 3 different sets of 4 colors or a single set of 8 or 12 colors. One of the kindergarten students I used the program with really enjoyed the sound effects when he made a correct choice, such as the neighing of a horse.

Learning shapes:

Learning shapes provides 5 levels of difficulty, using 4 different sets of 4 shapes each or a single set of 8 or 12 shapes. When a student selects a correct answer it is displayed on the screen. When an incorrect answer is selected the program displays the correct answer and gives the student the chance to try again. The teacher may adjust the number of opportunities that a student has to try again.

Counting numbers:

Counting numbers can be set to use any range of numbers from 0 to 20 with a default setting of 0 to 9. This activity contains 8 levels of difficulty. Level 1 displays a number and the student is asked to click on the number on the screen or keyboard. The program progresses from counting in an orderly fashion to counting in a random fashion.

Letter match:

Students learn the alphabet in upper and lower case letters. Colored pictures of the beginning letter can be used for reinforcement.

This program provides a range of activities with great visuals and an appropriate level of interaction to keep the students engaged in the activity. It would be a useful addition to any pre-school or kindergarten program.