Software Review--Alien Tales
One of LINC 's newest software titles is Alien Tales, a language arts software package featuring synopses of thirty pieces of children's literature and biographies of the authors. The program is designed in game format for children in grades three to six, where the earthling contestant must prove that the Interstellar Alien Guest Celebrity is not the true author of a selected piece of literature.
For children with visual impairments or reading disabilities, Broderbund has incorporated voice to the package which reads passages to the earthling. Broderbund also made the program accessible by providing good, clear sound to the program. For the individual user with low vision, Broderbund provides easy-to-read, bold text onscreen. However, the software creators threw a curve ball to the same population when they incorporated the puzzle and Wheel of Fortune format which requires vision and reading skills. Users who are blind and non-readers can learn about the literature and authors, but they cannot play the game without assistance.
Alien Tales is terrific software and very popular with LINC visitors. The entertaining format captures the interest of children who ordinarily would not be interested in/or able to pick up a book and read it. Many educators and parents have found that these same children become interested in other works by the same author--thus motivating children to learn. (Summer 1996)
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