Readymade Curriculum Activities, Fractions 2

When I was asked to review this product, I was really excited, because this is just where my son is in his learning - and I hate fractions! I sat down to install the product and found it very simple and straightforward to install, even for my 11-year-old son. That being said, Readymade Curriculum Activities are just what they claim - activities. This is not a curriculum, and it does not "teach" fractions. It does, however, give supplementary activities when you are learning fractions. The activities are not graded, and can be used at any level when you are having difficulty. They start with adding fractions, and continue through subtraction, rounding, decimals, and graphing fractions. The activities are very straightforward, and as long as you have taught the concept, they do a good job of reinforcing it. The instructions on screen are quite complex, and while they do have the capability of speaking, I wouldn't expect a remedial student to be able to understand the instructions. My son was fine with them, for the most part, but even I was confused once in a while. All of the activities are based on the Intellimathics Player, which comes with the package. If you have the original full version of Intellimathics, you would be able to modify the questions and put in queries specific to your learning. You would also be able to create groups and save different people's work in their own files. This would make record keeping a snap! I only have the player installed on this CD, so I don't have those capabilities. I had to sign in as a guest, as did my son, so it got a bit confusing as to whose work was whose! The full version would be an asset, but I checked on the website, and it was quite expensive. The website is www.intellitools.com. They actually specialize in creating tools for delayed and remedial students, such as overlays for computer keyboards, etc. So, overall, I would use this as a fun kind of practice for concepts already taught, but I would not use it for a spine or a curriculum.

The program comes with a book that has the answers to each level. There are five levels within each area (for example, adding fractions) and 10 questions to each level. My son found it difficult to go from one level to the next, as you have to save your work each time you answer a question, and then go back to the beginning of the module to go on to the next level. It doesn't seem to just flow from one level to the next. The explanations of the program are quite thorough, and I appreciated having the book to guide me through the CD. I think I'll use these activities this term as reinforcement for my computer loving son, and we'll both be happy. He'll be using the computer and practicing fractions at the same time! There are no snappy graphics to this program. It is very straightforward in its presentation, and there is the capability of speech, so you can have the page read to you - a definite plus for auditory learners! These activities are designed to be used with Intellitools Classrooms tool applications, which include the Intellimathics I mentioned earlier. The cost of the Readymade Activities, Fractions 2 is $39.95 if you download it from their site or 49.95 if you purchase it on CD. The Intellimathics player is available for download free from the site, and you need it for this program, but if you want full capability for modifying and changing the problems, you need the full version of Intellimathics, which is quite expensive at $139.95 (but it does look impressive!). It looks to me like these activities were geared specifically for the classroom use, and while a homeschooler could benefit from the practice, the cost of the actual tools needed could make implementation difficult.
-- Product Review by: Holly Cameron, BC, Canada, The Old Schoolhouseâ„¢ Magazine

Please Note: Intellitools are not meant to be full curricula programs, but instead, software programs that compliment current studies and full curricula programs.

IntelliTalk II

IntelliTools has provided teachers and students with two decades of accessible learning. Their mission is to provide outstanding technology to help students with physical or learning challenges learn to their fullest potential. They create educational software and adaptive hardware products that deliver multi-sensory instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Professional development is provided to help teachers use their products easily and effectively. I reviewed IntelliTalk II and IntelliMathics. Both programs come with a LARGE and thorough manual. The information in the manual is also found in the computer program. IntelliTalk II does not have an active Help feature like many computer programs; you must go to the manual. This might be difficult for some users who find it hard to go back and forth from book to computer. The manual also contains a tutorial on how to use the programs. There are a lot of templates in both programs, so you do not need to design everything on your own.

I really liked the talking word processor in IntelliTalk II. Pre readers with an adaptive keyboard can also use it. IntelliMathics has a great assortment of computer-based manipulatives. If you have a child who is learning-disabled, these might be terrific programs for you.

Check out IntelliTools at www.intellitools.com. There you will find a complete description of their products and information about their company. Also, read the reviews by Christine Field and other TOSâ„¢ review staffers on additional IntelliTools products.

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