Jump Start Kindergarten

Jump Start Kindergarten, published by Knowledge Adventure is an educational software program which claims to cover the entire Kindergarten curriculum. $35-$45. On CD-ROM for Windows

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Content

Jump Start Kindergarten is intended to develop the following skills:

Reading Skills - Visual Discrimination, Auditory Discrimination, Vocabulary and Oral Comprehension

Language Arts/Composition - Word Identification, Rhyming, Identifying Lettters of the Alphabet in Sequence

Mathematic Skills - Numeration, Basics of Geometry

Time - Telling Time (analog and digital), Distinguishing from Night and Day, Holidays and Their Months [Top of Page]

Ease of Use

This CD is easy to use if you can get past the initial screen. The program tends to freeze or crash on the prompt to type in your name. The print screen option also tends to cause the program to freeze. Once inside the school house the software seemed to work well. The games were entertaining although the graphics and sound are not as sophisticated as other CD-Rom products by the same company. Clicking on the big arrow takes you back to the previous screen. The main menu screen might be a little busy for young children. [Top of Page]

System Requirements

An IBM or compatible computer, 386 or 486 processor. Will run on Pentium.
A color VGA or SVGA.
A CD-ROM drive that supports ISO 9660.
A Hard disk with approximately 3.5 megabytes of available disk space.
Approximately 520 Kilobytes of available RAM.
A Microsoft compatible mouse.
A Sound Card.
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Installation Details

Directions to install from DOS and from Windows are given in the instruction booklet along with three installation options:

1. Standard Install (requires 3.5 megabytes of hard disk space)

2. Quick Access Install (requires 16.5 megabytes of hard disk space)

3. No CD-ROM required (requires 35 megabytes of hard disk space) [Top of Page]

Special Features

This program provides a progress report that gives feedback for parents or teachers.

This program provides adaptive learning activities which modify by increasing the levels of difficulty as a child is successful.

This program also provides directed activities. By clicking on Mr. Hopsalot's ears will lead to activities to help students work on skills where a weakness is found.

Reviewed by Donna Rinn. Donna is a teacher in the RRISD working towards her library certification at UT.
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