COMPUTER SOFTWARE REVIEWS
KID WORKS DELUXE
Publisher: Davidson
Reviewer’s name: Colleen Litwin (Teaching Intern, Early Intervention Program,
Target population: Grades 1 - 4
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Kid Works Deluxe is a publishing program designed as a "first word processor" for grades 1-3. Its purpose is to introduce students to the fun of writing, illustrating, and listening to their own original stories. The presentation uses a graphical environment and colorful tools to guide students through the process of producing an original composition. Easy to understand icons, along with a point-and-click navigation system, help students quickly gain confidence and independence with the technology regardless of their reading ability.
This program uses an open-ended, product-oriented approach that lets students combine 4 Activity Modes for endless creative possibilities. "The Writing Option" features composition and uses basic keyboard skills with kid-friendly type and primary style writing paper. An "Illustrating Mode" contains colors, shapes, tools, and stamps for creating a picture. Both of these modes include options for starting from scratch or embellishing a work in progress. By clicking on story starters, or selecting ready-made backgrounds, even reluctant writers become engaged and motivated to publish something original. A Reading Bug lets users see and hear their story played back. The fourth mode is used to design original icons or store individual words.
A key feature of this program is its user-friendly format. It offers all the options of more sophisticated word processing programs at a level that is developmentally appropriate to primary students. Through its use, students develop word processing skills that they can transfer and apply to more sophisticated programs in later years. The program also comes with a User's Guide that is organized around a series of projects. Each project demonstrates several features of the program with step-by-step instructions. The projects are open-ended and provide opportunities to explore the many creative options of this program.
CONTENT CLARITY:
This program succeeds at its goal of providing word processing capabilities for students in grades 1-3. Publishing tools, artwork, and fun features are effectively integrated to tap a child’s creativity and motivate them to write and read. All content is easily accessed and requires no reading ability. The format is straightforward and consistent with other word processing programs the students may be familiar with. A variety of modes and options satisfy any publishing needs a child in grades 1-3 would have.
TECHNICAL QUALITY:
The technical quality of this program is excellent. It creates a familiar environment with Kid text font and lined paper to simulate the classroom experience. An easy to use toolbar follows the point-and-click format. Each tool offers 3 to 5 options represented by words and icons to accommodate nonreaders. Throughout the program, colorful icons provide clear, logical representations that allow students to quickly become independent with the use of this program. Although the clip-art-type graphics are secondary to the purpose of this program as a word processor, their intrinsic value is seen in the motivation they provide. Students with a range of writing abilities, reluctant through proficient, can publish a professional-looking document. Pride and satisfaction are natural outcomes of the technical quality of this program.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY:
This program capitalizes on computer technology. It combines a word processor, paint program, and advanced text-to-speech technology to immerse children in creating a product with words and pictures. Sound effects, paint tools, and a multitude of stamps and picture icons are organized by categories and ready to embellish a story with a click of the mouse. Options are available to create original pictures that accompany the text, or students can work from ready-made background designs. The text-to-speech feature lets children hear their stories read aloud at any point in the creative process. This is motivational as well as functional as it links auditory and visual reinforcement to the writing process. This confirms the reading/writing connection, which is a difficult concept for some primary students to master. Kid Works Deluxe supports the construction of a product and is, therefore, open-ended. Multimedia options are integrated in ways that provide maximum flexibility and creativity to the user. Applications within the program support all aspects of the writing process and accommodate a range of student needs.
ROLE OF STUDENTS:
The nature of this program as a tool for creative expression puts students in control of its use. They are not able to change any aspect of the program, but they can exercise creativity by making choices that determine the design path of their project. This is empowering and motivational. Students bring ideas and creative energy to the task, then interact with the technology to create a unique composition. Working individually, with a partner, or as a part of a team is equally gratifying.
ROLE OF THE TEACHER:
The role of the teacher is primarily as a demonstrator to model the use of the program. Once a project is started, guidance through suggestions and presenting creative options is possible, but the ultimate decision rests with the child. Before letting the students loose with the software, an LCD demonstration might be used for an interactive presentation. Students could, for example, create a class story while learning how to access and integrate the many options available to them. The story could be saved as a "demo" for students to refer to. Previewing a model can be just the motivation a reluctant writer needs to get started! The teacher can also encourage less fluent writers by preparing a Tip Sheet to keep at the computer. The Tip Sheet might include the sequence of steps to follow with suggestions to avoid "writers block," such as, "Trouble getting started? Check the story starters" and "Have you checked out the picture file lately?" A teacher can individualize the program in the Kid Works II version by entering words in a child’s own Word Box. This useful option supports building sight words, vocabulary, and spelling skills.
CLASSROOM USAGE:
This program addresses all levels of writing proficiency within a primary classroom. Students struggling with basic print awareness can use icons in a rebus-style story to reinforce the concept that print carries a message. Pictures and words can be interchanged with flexibility. This enhances confidence while reinforcing reading skills. The many picture icons and stamps available are incentives that encourage more active writers to elaborate and embellish their compositions. Incorporating rich vocabulary and descriptive words contributes to improved writing!
This program can be adapted to a variety of classroom settings. It provides opportunity for both independent and cooperative writing experiences. A "Literature Circles" approach could be incorporated with the writing process to create a group story where each member is responsible for developing one of the elements in a narrative. The open-ended nature of this program allows students of varied technical abilities and writing proficiencies to successfully publish an original composition. Compositions become useful samples for portfolio assessment.
CRITICAL SUMMARY:
This program is ideally suited as a "first word processor" for grades 1-3. It accommodates the range of technical expertise and writing proficiency in any classroom and empowers students to author something original. KidWorks Deluxe is intrinsically motivating and helps children develop an appreciation of reading and writing.
OVERALL RATING: 10 out of 10
EXPLANATION OF RATING:
I gave KidWorks Deluxe a superior rating based on its almost limitless potential to enhance and extend the writing curriculum in any primary classroom. Within the parameters of the writing process, students can be as creative as time and talent allow. Confidence grows as they interact with technology and apply the skills from classroom instruction.
Last revised: January 15, 2003