Shareware Universe - The Gold Collection/Shareware Universe The Gold Collection.iso/educ/flashcrd/flashcrd.go

Text File | 1996-04-19 | 15.7 KB | 329 lines

The Flashcards System  for Windows

This file, readme.wri contains installation instructions and an introductory
tour of the Flashcards System.  Use the Windows Write program to print this
document prior to installing the system.

The Flashcards System is published by You and Me Products.  It is a teaching
tool designed to help teach elementary mathematics to children between the
ages of 5 and 8.  It is provided as is and there are no warranties,
expressed or implied.

If you have a problem installing The Flashcards System, we would like to
help you.  Please contact You and Me Products for assistance in one of these
ways:
    Our telephone number  is [phone]. If you leave a message,
    please give us permission to call you back collect.
    Our postal address is P.O. Box 61488,  Vancouver, WA, USA, 98666.
    Our Compuserve address is 73140,1645.



Installation

System requirements

PC-compatible computer, Microsoft Windows 3.1, capability of 640 by 480,
16 color VGA display, 1.5 megabytes of free disk space.  Sound board is not
required, but desireable.

Setup procedure

*** PD Selections note: After installation from this CD, do the following:

1.  Start Microsoft Windows version 3.1.
2.  Make sure that no other applications are running.
3.  Insert the Flashcards System Release Diskette into drive A.
4.  From Program Manager, select File menu and choose Run.
5.  Type a:\setup and press the Enter key.

A box which says Initializing Setup will be displayed.  While this box is
being displayed, several files are being expanded and written to your hard
disk in both the \windows and the \windows\system directories.  The file
setup1.exe goes into the \windows directory.  The files ver.dll,
setupkit.dll, ddeml.dll, and vbrun200.dll go into the \windows\system
directory.  Most of the files on the release diskette are compressed to save
space.  The setup programs expand them to their normal size as they are
being written to your hard disk.

A larger window called "Flashcards Setup" is displayed, asking you to either
accept the default directory and path for the Flashcards System or enter
another directory and path.

6.  We suggest that you click on the continue button to accept the default
directory.

The setup program will create the directory, if necessary, and will then
expand the files and install them.  Most of the files will be written to the
new directory but the files named grid.vbx, mci.vbx, msmasked.vbx and
threed.vbx will be written to the \windows\system directory.

After all of the files have been successfully installed, the setup program
will create a new group called Flashcards in the Program Manager.  The icons
for the programs Mathplay, Parent / Teacher Controls, and Flashcards for
SUSIE will be created.  After this is done, the installation is complete.

Before attempting to use the Flashcards System, we recommend that you go
through the following introductory tour, step by step, to understand the
features of the programs.

Introductory Tour

The Flashcards System is a tool designed to help teach elementary
mathematical concepts to children from kindergarten through the 3rd grade.
There are 3 programs which make up the Flashcards System.  Mathplay is where
the parent and child can together explore graphical representations of
numbers and mathematical operations.  The Flashcards program presents the
child with problems to be solved.  The Parent / Teacher Controls program
allows the parent to specify problems for the child.

The first program on our tour is the Mathplay program.  From the Program
Manager, double click the Mathplay icon in the Flashcards group.  The
Mathplay main menu will be displayed.

How to use on-line documentation

The Flashcards system is equipped with context sensitive on-line
documentation.  This means that no matter where you are in the system, if
you ask for help, either by clicking on the "?" button or by keying F1, the
standard Windows Help program will come up with the appropriate topic.  In
order to demonstrate this, we will use the Mathplay main menu.

Clicking the "?" button

Click on the "?" button, which is in the right lower corner.  The Mathplay
Program help topic is displayed.  Notice that some words are underlined, and
a different color than the other words.  When you move the mouse pointer
over those words it changes from an arrow to a finger pointing.  If you
click on it while the finger is pointing, the Help program will "jump" to
the new topic.  Once you are there, you can always return to the previous
topic by clicking on the "Back" button near the top of the screen.

The easiest way to leave the Help program and return to the Flashcards
System is to click on the minimize button, which is the down arrow in the
right upper corner of the Help screen.

Using the F1 key

Another method of getting documentation for a specific topic is to shift the
focus to a command button or other screen object and then to press the F1
key.

Let's talk about focus.  In order to watch the focus shift in the Mathplay
main menu, press the Tab key repeatedly.  Notice that only one of the
command buttons at a time has a black line around it.  The button with the
black line has the focus.  Pressing the Tab key moves the focus from one
button to another.  Now try holding the Shift key down at the same time as
pressing the Tab key.  Notice that the focus now moves in the reverse order.

Move the focus to the Number Line button and then press F1.  The Number Line
Screen help topic is displayed.  After you are done reading, exit help to
return to the Mathplay main menu.

You may use the F1 key to get to on-line documentation wherever you happen
to be in the Flashcards System.

Number Line screen

From the Mathplay main menu, click on the Number Line button.  The Number
Line screen is displayed.  Notice the addition symbol next to the second
operand.

Set the values of operand 1 and operand 2

The term "operand" refers to one of the numbers in a math problem.  Click on
the right arrow of the upper scrollbar.  Notice that the number 1 is
displayed in the blue box and a red line from 0 to 1 is displayed in the
upper number line.  Click it until the value is 4.  Now click on the lower
scrollbar and set the value of the second operand to 3.  You have defined
the addition problem 4 plus 3.

Reveal the answer

Click on the Reveal button and the answer is revealed.  Try increasing one
of the operands until the answer is 11.  There are 3 scalings in the number
line: 0 to 10, 0 to 25, and 0 to 100.  You just crossed into the second
scaling.  Decrease an operand to make the answer 10 and you will return to
the first scale.  Try the Hide button.

Generate new problems


Click on the addition symbol button under the "New Problem" label.  It will
generate a random addition problem within the current scaling.  In addition
to generating new problems, these buttons allow you to change operations.
Try clicking on the subtraction symbol.  It will generate a random
subtraction problem.  Notice that the symbol next to operand 2 has changed
and that the answer number line is thicker.  Click on the Reveal button to
see how subtraction is represented.  Generate new problems for multiplication
and division to see how they are represented.

Return to the Mathplay main menu by clicking on the Stop button in the Number
Line screen.

Apples screen

From the Mathplay main menu, click on the Apples button.

Numerical representations

The Apples screen is designed to introduce the decimal number system.  Click
on the right arrow of the scroll bar for operand 1 until the number increases
from 9 to 10.  The symbol for 10 shows a set of 10 apples.  Now click on the
scroll bar for operand 1 between the scrolling button and the right arrow to
increment the number by 10 for each click.  Bring it up to 100 and see that
the symbol shows 10 10's.  Set up the addition problem 87 + 34 and we will
explore the various Reveal options.

Various ways to Reveal

Notice that there are 4 reveal buttons with arrow icons.  The rightmost
button, with 3 arrows on it, simply displays the answer.  Try it and then
hide the answer.  The 3 buttons on the left are there to allow you to look
at the steps involved in solving the problem.  Notice that the leftmost
button, the backward step button, is shadowy, indicating that it is not
available.  The second button, the forward step button, with the single
arrow pointing right, shows you each step of the calculation, one at a
time.  Click it and notice that now the backward step button is available.
You can use the backward step to have another look at what just happened.
Click on the forward step button repeatedly until the answer is fully
revealed.  Now click just once on the button with the 2 right arrows and
watch it reveal all of the steps in turn.

Examine the representations of subtraction, multiplication and division

Just as in the number line screen, you may use the New Problem buttons to
generate new problems and change operations.  For each operation, spend some
time generating several problems, manipulating the operands, and stepping
through the solutions as they are revealed.

When you are done, click on the Stop button to return to the Mathplay main
menu.

Tables screen

From the Mathplay main menu, click on the Tables button.

The Tables screen uses the same screen controls that you have used in the
previous screens.  Manipulate the operands and change to each of the
operations to see how this screen may be used.

When you are done, click on the Stop button to return to the Mathplay main
menu.  From the Mathplay main menu, click on the Stop button to leave the
Mathplay program.

Flashcards program

The second of three programs on our tour is the Flashcards program.  This is
where the child is presented with problems generated to your specifications.
Double click the Flashcards for SUSIE icon from the Program Manager.
Chances are that your child's name is not Susie.  Later on in this tour we
will visit the Parent / Teacher Controls program where we can set up the
Flashcards program for each of your children individually.  For now, we will
make believe that we are Susie, in order to understand how to use the
Flashcards program.  Click on the Start button and the main Flashcards
screen is displayed.

Answer entry

The problem in front of you was generated in accord with the problem
generating specifications for the student "Susie".  Answers may be entered
either with the mouse and keypad on the screen or with the numeric keys on
the keyboard.  Enter a correct answer, followed by the Enter button and see
the feedback.  If your computer is equipped with a sound board, you will
hear feedback also.  Once a correct answer is entered, a new problem is
generated in a few seconds.

Enter a few more correct answers to see how the feedback changes.  Notice
that, as correct answers are entered, points are accumulated.  Quickly
entered correct answers get bonus points.  After a new problem has been
generated, look at the Timer and Points Available to see how the bonus
points work.  When the Timer reaches zero, bonus points are no longer
available.

Now enter an incorrect answer.  You will receive "incorrect" feedback and
get the opportunity to enter the correct answer.  The program will not
automatically generate a new problem until the correct answer is entered.

Available supports

Try clicking on the button for one of the support screens (Number Line,
Apples or Tables).  Notice that the scroll bars and New Problem buttons have
been removed.  The supports are there only to illustrate the current
problem.

If you wish, you can get more details about how the Flashcards program works
by using the on-line documentation.  When you are done, click on the Stop
button to leave the Flashcards program.


Parent / Teacher Controls Program

The third and last program on our tour is the Parent / Teacher Controls
program.  It provides the parent with the tools needed to assure that the
child is both successful and challenged in the Flashcards program.  Double
click on the sailboat icon in the Program Manager.

Parameters for problem generation

The screen that you are looking at contains all of the specifications needed
to automatically generate the problems we have already seen in the
Flashcards program.  There are separate areas defined for each of the 4
operations and within each of these areas there are many parameters to be
set.  Use the Tab key to move the focus to the Frequency parameter in the
Addition area and press the F1 key to find out what this parameter is for.
Minimize the help screen and you are back at the controls screen.  This kind
of context sensitive help is available for each of the parameters.

Audit of Flashcard session

Now, let's see how our student Susie is doing in the Flashcards program.
Click on the Audit menu option in the menu bar atop the screen and notice
that today's date is the only option available under it (You did take the
tour of the Flashcards program, didn't you?).  Click on the date and the
audit window is displayed.  Try clicking on each of the Audit Type options.
Look at the Details screen to review everything you did in the Flashcards
program and when you did it.  If there is more than 1 screenful of activity,
use the vertical scroll bar at the right to move through the history.  After
evaluating the activity, you may decide to change the problem generating
parameters to keep Susie more challenged!  Click on the Stop button to exit
the Audit window.

Add a custom feedback line

Click on the Feedback menu option and choose Correct to see the feedbacks
available for correct answers.  Let's add a new feedback.  Click on the
"Add" button to the left of the first blank line.  Notice that the text
boxes above are now active for the line you have chosen.  In the Feedback
Text box, enter something positive, using your child's name to personalize
it.  Now click on the Add button again and you have added a new feedback for
correct answers.  Click on the OK button to return to the controls window.

Set up your child as a student

Let's say that your child's name is Robert, not Susie.  Click on the Student
menu option and choose the Save As option.  Enter Robert's name.  The
Flashcards System now has 2 students.  Click on the Student menu again and
choose Open.  Select Susie and when she is loaded, click on the Student menu
again and choose Delete.  A dialog box will make sure that this is OK.
Click on the OK button to delete Susie.  Now click on the Student menu again
and choose Exit.  Return to the Program Manager and you will see an icon for
Flashcards for ROBERT and nothing for Susie.  The Parent / Teacher Controls
program has taken care of managing your icons in the Program Manager.
Double click on the Flashcards icon and notice that the program title is now
Flashcards for Robert.

Help

Click on the Help menu option and choose Contents.  This is the "root" of
the hierarchical documentation structure.  All of the on-line documentation
topics are available by using the green "jump" topics.  Explore the topics
that interest you.  If you get lost within the help system, use the Back
button, the History button or the Contents button to get back to where you
want to be.  Exit the help system.

If you have a "shareware" version of the Flashcards System, and would like
to register, click on the Help menu option and choose Shareware Registration.

This is the end of the introductory tour of the Flashcards System.