MICROGRAMS SOFTWARE AT HOME
Micrograms software is "school strength" software designed for use at school. The intensity of mental effort required is appropriate for a student at work at school supervised by school personnel. Micrograms software is not "edu-tainment," and it is not more fun than playing in the back yard or watching cartoons on TV.
Most Micrograms software contains content options which can be adjusted to individual student needs, and detailed record keeping that can document student performance and growth. These features are particularly useful, and often required, in today's schools.
Micrograms primarily sells school-wide network/site license versions of its programs. These can be used on all compatible computers, networked or standalone, throughout a school. They cost hundreds of dollars per title.
Under some circumstances, single computer ($30) versions of Micrograms programs are appropriate for use at home. Homeschools are one obvious example. Another is when teachers have recommended to parents that their child could benefit from additional practice with one of our programs at home. And finally, when parents themselves feel their children require additional short periods of "school strength" practice activities at home, Micrograms can provide useful materials.
APPROACH
Micrograms programs offer students essential practice for development of basic skills, and valuable exercises in critical thinking. Some of the factors which have made Micrograms software so effective are as follows:
- specific curriculum objectives
- accurate educational content
- easy program operation
- enjoyable screen graphics
- task-tailoring options
- humor
Though we love to see children smile and giggle while using Micrograms software, entertainment is not our primary goal. Micrograms software is carefully and professionally prepared to promote student involvement and achievement. It requires mental activity appropriate for school.
USING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE
Skills development software is most effective when adults provide supervision and encouragement as the child is working. At school this supervision and encouragement is provided by the teacher or aide. In the home setting, the parent should fill this role. Remember, Micrograms software requires significantly more mental effort than watching TV or playing arcade games.
BASIC POINTERS FOR PARENTS
Home schoolers are familiar with working seriously to educate their children at home. However, below are comments to parents who are using Micrograms software at home for the first time.
- Computers can help students practice and master many basic facts and academic processes
which are part of their elementary school curriculum. Computers never will replace teachers or parents who nurture children's complex social development; but, computers can help students master basic facts and academic processes through instruction, review, and practice. Your computer can help your child practice and polish his or her basic skills.
- Explain to your child the purposes involved in using the computer as a learning aid. Point out that this is different from using the computer for entertainment. Assure your student that serious practice at the computer can help him or her make definite progress in learning.
- Use the program yourself for several minutes before you ask your child to do so. This will let you know exactly what mental tasks the child is being asked to face and master.
- Set specific times that the child is to practice. Remember, this is serious business, not play. Make these practice periods short at first, unless or until you see evidence that your child can productively interact with a program for longer periods. Ten minute periods three times a week might be a good place to start for most young children. The regularity of practice over several months is much more important than one or two long practice sessions on special occasions.
- Set reasonable goals for the child to achieve within the practice session, and go wild with enthusiasm and praise if the child achieves these goals. (Unachieved goals will be useful at the start of the next practice session.) Do not neglect the motivational power of a strawberry milkshake or special privilege if the child demonstrates a significant advance or level of accomplishment. If YOU think your child's accomplishments are important, so will your child.
- Do not stop using a program as soon as your child claims he or she has mastered it. Insist on further practice sessions anyway "just to be sure." This will help to clearly establish all of the program's content in the child's mind, strengthen the child's confidence in his or her mastery, and clearly demonstrate to the child that he or she has made progress. (Parent: "Remember the time when you didn't think you could do this at all?")
- Seek additional programs from Micrograms or elsewhere which you can use in a meaningful way to advance your child's learning.
- Explain to your child the purposes involved in using the computer as a learning aid. Point out that this is different from using the computer for entertainment. Assure your student that serious practice at the computer can help him or her make definite progress in learning.
As you know, you as the parent are the key person in helping your child to learn. At Micrograms we intend that our skills development software will serve both you and your child well.