SOFTWARE REVIEWS by Diane McCargar |
| Multimedia Spelling Bee Multimedia Spelling Bee is a very simple game that allows students to practice their spelling. During the game, students are asked to type the words they hear. Pictures are shown to help them remember the words. At the beginning of the game, students can choose a level of difficulty, the number of words in the game and the number of tries they will get to spell each word. The games are divided into 4 levels of difficulty: Level 1 - Starter, Level 2 -Student, Level 3 Scholar, and Level 4 - Genius. Level I focuses on one syllable words such as boy, fall, run, man and hot. Level 2 includes words like young, family, bridge and eleven. More difficult and less common words such as castle, lecture and lizard can be found in Level 3. The most advanced level, Level 4, allows students to practice spelling words such as audience, career and automobile. Each level contains 50 words. The program also contains Tests at Levels 2, 3 and 4. You might think these "Tests" test students on the words contained in those levels, but actually each Test contains 50 new words. In total the game contains 350 words. The uncluttered, simple design of this program makes it extremely easy for students to use. Because of this, most literacy students could use the program independently. The program provides encouraging feedback which can be turned off if it becomes too annoying. If students aren't able to spell a word in the allotted number of tries the word is spelled for them, letter by letter. At the end of each game, students are given a report that shows the level, the date, and the number of words they spelled correctly. It also gives them a list of words that they need to practice. Students can print a copy of this list and take it with them. Unfortunately, the program doesn't have any diagnostic features that direct students where to begin. Nor does it have a tracking feature that guides students' progression through the levels. Some instructors may find this a plus though, because you don't have to worry about entering students' names into the program or ensuring that students use the same computers all the time.
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The main weakness of the program seems to be
the limitations of the lists of words provided with the program. Because the
words are accompanied by a picture you won't find words such as and, they
or where. It also includes words which are not very practical in
nature such as lizard and castle. The software does come with a
program for instructors called "The Level Editor" which allows you to
enter your own lists of words. This isn't as easy as it may sound though,
because each word requires a picture and a sound file. Clipart could be used
for the pictures and you could use the Sound Recorder that comes with Windows
to create sound files. Whether you invest the time to tailor the software or
whether you use it with the words provided, this program is a useful tool for
literacy students interested in improving their spelling.