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Hi
Hi, everyone! I'd like to introduce
you to Painter Bear! Painter is the very clever star of a brand new
learning series from Ohio Distinctive Software entitled Painter Bear's
Language Bridge! Watch closely as Painter Bear leads you through
a fun-packed adventure into the foreign languages of Deutsch, Espanol, Francais, and
Italiano! (That's German, Spanish, French and Italian
for those who don't already know!)
Each of the
CDs in this series offers an English version and one of the four languages
mentioned: English/Deutsch, English/Espanol, English/Francais, and
English/Italiano. All four CDs are played exactly the same way so
to make it easier, let's look at just one CD as I explain how they work.
Specifically, we will look at the English/Deutsch CD.
The CD works
directly from your CD-ROM Drive and you will be asked if a file can be
installed on your hard drive in order to save your progress in that file.
You can opt not to have the file installed but you will then be unable
to save your work.
Simply click
on the question mark near the bottom left corner of the main screen to
hear full instructions for using this software. Moving your cursor
over each icon will explain it's use. There are 31 categories of
words and phrases from which to choose including subjects like foods, occupations,
rooms in a house and even travel phrases that will make a visit to Germany
much more fun!
It may sound
like a phrase book would serve just as well but let me assure you that
each word and phrase is written and spoken by a native German so you will
hear the exact inflection and pronunciation of each word! An added
bonus is that you can choose to play either the English or the German version.
My suggestion is to start with the language you already speak and then
to play using the other version!
Painter Bear's
Language Bridge: English/Deutsch has been made easy enough and enjoyable
enough to span age groups of three to adult. With this amazing software
you can learn the basics, sharpen language skills you already know, and
even prepare for a trip quickly and easily.
The graphics
are brightly colored in the primary spectrum to appeal to all age groups.
The music will definitely appeal to youngsters and may be toggled off if
you find it annoying or disconcerting.
It is easy
to use and there are games that you can opt to play after you complete
a category. For those who would rather move on without playing, there
is an option to allow you to do so as well.
As I mentioned
earlier, all four CDs in this series work exactly the same way so it will
be very easy to choose the one language you want to learn...Deutsch, Espanol,
Francais, or Italiano. My suggestion here is to learn them all!
All in all,
this new learning series from Ohio Distinctive Software would make a fine
addition to the software library of any educator or family. Painter
Bear's Language Bridge is all about making learning fun!
Install: N/A.
Note: Only your progress files
are saved on your hard drive and you have the option of not saving those
as well.
Gameplay: 9.5.
I
found this software to run quite smoothly from screen to screen.
Graphics: 9.0.
The
graphics are bright and colorful in the primary spectrum to appeal to younger
children.
Sound: 9.5.
I was
very impressed with the voice quality. Adults may find themselves
wishing for quicker speech but should remember that this software was designed
for a wide age range beginning at 3 years of age. The music is very
lively and should appeal to youngsters quite well. Older users can
always toggle the music off!
Difficulty: 3.0.
Simple
mouse clicks and basic computer knowledge are all that are needed to utilize
this software.
Concept: 7.0.
Although
there are no "bells and whistles" innovations to speak of, there is certainly
good, solid learning content that is very nicely presented to appeal to
a very wide range of users.
Multiplayer: N/A
Note: Although only one player
can use the software at a time, tracking and progress can easily be done
for a multitude of users.
Overall: 9.0.
I
am a firm supporter of learning software that is fun and this learning
series fits that description perfectly. Beyond that, I found myself
fascinated with the learning aspects for adult users, myself included.
They say you are never too old to learn and Ohio Distinctive Software seems
to understand that perfectly as well! Kudos to your fine understanding
of education, Ohio Distinctive Software!
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