June
2002
Software
review
Spinout Stories (CD-ROM)
A new Australian CD-ROM, Spinout
Stories, combining software and printed books, designed to promote
literacy among students with reading problems in late primary school and
early secondary school has been a hit with our 16 year son, who has Down
syndrome. I would have to describe Declan as a “reluctant” reader,
unless his motivation is very specific. He can read, often surprisingly
well, but it is very hard work for him, and he doesn’t often choose to
read for pleasure.
One of the problems in motivating
him to read (and one commonly reported by other families) has been finding
high-interest material that he can be successful with. So I jumped at the
description of the Spinout Stories packages described in
the New Horizons catalogue last term. The Blue Pack, which
we have bought, has four books: The Best Mechanic; Diesels
and Dirt, Reptile Zoo and Saltwater Crocodiles – perfect subject
material for this truck and adventure mad bundle of teenaged boy!
They are illustrated in print and on the computer with high quality photos,
and the stories can be read by the computer in a pleasant Australian accent.
The volume can be controlled from the screen, and the sound can be turned
off.
The reading and extension activities can
be set at three levels of difficulty. The screen is easy to navigate.
We’re still exploring the full range of activities, some of which Declan
might not be able to complete, but so far he’s been willing to have a go,
and he’s enjoyed sharing the stories with a friend.
At $143.00, it’s not cheap, but it’s been
difficult to get hold of anything else really appropriate, so we were happy
to buy one of the two packs for now., and maybe save up for the second.
The Red Pack stories are: Gorilla Gang; Dream to Stay Alive;
Shark-Ride Bay and The Surf Shop. They also look very
appealing to teens.
The publishers, Greygum Software,
also produce the well regarded PM Stories series of readers
on CD-ROM. I emailed them to tell them how good I thought the Spinout
Stories were, and they are willing to look at extending the range
if the need is demonstrated – good support from a local company.
We bought our pack from New Horizons,
in Armidale NSW, by mail-order. To check the program out on
the Internet, go to the New Horizons’ website:
www.nh.com.au
or Greygum’s website:
www.greygum.com.au
Jill O’Connor
June 2002
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