SUBJECT AREAS: Reading, Writing, Math, Science,
Social Studies, and
Literature & the Arts
PUBLISHER:
Contemporary Books
4255 West Touby Ave.
Lincoln-Wood, IL 60646-1975
(800) 621-1918 or 998-3103
FAX: (800) 998-3103
http://www.contemporarybooks.com
James Kirkland (Sales Rep)
(703) 824-9374
FAX: (703) 824-9375
e-mail: kirkjm@home.com
COST:
$995.00 (Single Station Version - Disks and User Manual)
$795.00 (Discounted price for 4+ units)
$2985.00 (Site License and Network Price)
$2400.00 (Discounted price for 4+ units)
USE:
Pre-GED/ GED Programs
High School Alternative
At-Risk Youth
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: WIN(3.1/95/98/NT)/CD-ROM
(10MB RAM, 486/66 MHz)
MAC(OS 7.0 or later)/CD-ROM (10MB RAM)
Program Components: One CD-ROM
Pre-GED Interactive Instructor's Manual
DESCRIPTION: Pre-GED Interactive is a diagnostic and prescriptive, computer-based preparation program for Pre-GED level students with a minimum reading level of 6th to 7th grade. The program provides tutorial instruction, interactive activities, periodic quizzes, and pre and post testing for all five GED subject areas and an additional content area titled reading. This reading subject can be used for placement purposes to determine if the student can benefit from this program and level of instruction. It also introduces the student to the GED- type question and answer format that they must become familiar and comfortable with to succeed on the GED test. The readability of the content is controlled to insure that the instructional level is Pre-GED and to encourage success for this level of student. To begin using the program, teachers must first create their classes and assign students ID numbers or create data disks. No student can access the program without an ID number or a personalized data disk. Teachers using stand-alone computers must decide whether to save student data on the hard drive or to a disk. With disks, students can use any computer in the lab or classroom. If the hard drive version is used, then the student must remember which computer station he was assigned. Pre-GED Interactive provides an excellent, introductory "Help!" section which teaches the user about tests, lessons, scoring, prescriptions, and tools, and provides hints to moving around through the program. Pre-GED Interactive includes 35 units with 157 lessons. Each lesson introduces the key skill or concept and then provides drill, practice, and reinforcement through passages, graphic illustrations, and exercises. A six question quiz is presented at two points throughout each lesson. A score of 4 or less causes the student to be branched to an instructional review. A score of 5 or 6 directs the student to the "Checkpoint Screen" The questions from each lesson are randomly drawn from a pool of 21 questions. All tests can be taken in the timed or the study mode (which provides access to hints and multiply tries). The program then uses the results to provide a progress, diagnostic, and prescriptive report. The prescription references units in Pre-GED Interactive and to pages in the following books from Contemporary: Complete Pre-GED, Breakthroughs , Foundations, Building Basic Skills, and the Number Power Series. The instructional units provide unit reviews and the following tutorial lessons: 19 reading; 33 writing; 25 social studies; 20 science; 21 literature; and 39 mathematics. Full length Post-tests cover six subject areas. The management system tracks the student individually and includes class status information. All test results and prescriptions can be printed, or saved to a disk or the hard drive.
Strengths: We found that our students who successfully
completed the Pre-GED Interactive lessons and assessments
with a minimum of 80% mastery, would progress to the GED level of study
without any problem. We found that Pre-GED Interactive bridges
the difficult and challenging "gap" between Pre-GED and GED instruction
quite successfully. Since students make progress in some subjects
more quickly than others, it is important to move them to the GED level
in those subjects quickly to boost self-esteem and confidence. The
book marking feature in Pre-GED Interactive is great
because the students can transition between six, different subject areas
and pick up exactly where they left off in each subject. Pre-GED
Interactive offers a complete curriculum which includes the all
the essential diagnostic, prescriptive, instructional, and assessment features.
Two unique features are the "tip boxes" and "checkpoints" that are
found throughout the lessons. Tip boxes point out strategies to the
students at the end of the skill introductions, while the checkpoints summarize
the important lesson skills and concepts. Continuous review and positive,
instructional feedback are other key components of this program. Another
unique advantage of Pre-GED Interactive is the "extra"
reading subject which is not found in similar software from other companies.
Teacher found it to be quite useful for screening students to determine
their readiness for the GED level. The overall, outstanding
strength of Pre-GED Interactive is that Pre-GED level students
that use the program improve their critical thinking and test taking skills.
Adult students need skill development in these two critical areas to move
to the GED level and achieve success. We also highly recommend the companion,
GED Interactive computer program for students who are ready
to transition to this higher level of instruction.
Weaknesses: There are only two weakness that were identified during the review process. It is important to mention that the adult and high school student reviewers found no disadvantages or weaknesses in using the Pre-GED Interactive program at all, but several mentioned that the program could be improved with the addition of some "sound effects." However, the teachers that reviewed the program identified two weaknesses. The first area is in regard to the "study mode" option which is presented to the student during pre and post testing. If the student chooses to test in the "study mode," the program allows the student to continue to choose different answers until the correct answer is chosen. Consequently, most students end up scoring between 90-100% when they could have guessed two or three times for each question. So it is extremely important that teachers read the report carefully and review the percentage correct on the first try, if study mode was used, to determine the true mastery level. The majority of teachers felt that students should test in the "test mode" for the diagnostic feature to be accurate. The second area of weakness is related to the cost of the program and is no reflection on the curriculum and content. Many teachers commented that the initial cost of installing the program on just one computer was quite high, compared to their software budget. They would like to see single subjects available for purchase in the future.
Rating Evaluation Scale: 1(Poor), 2(Fair), 3(Good), 4(Excellent), N/A (Not Available)
| Curriculum Content: (5 ) | Scope and Sequence of Skills: (5) |
| Presentation of Skills: (5) | Grade Level or Readability Range: (5.0-9.0 grade level) |
| Interest Level: Adult and high school students | Management System: (5) |
| Report Options: (4) | Prescriptive Component: (4) |
| Diagnostic or Placement: (4) |
| Instructional Strategy: | Types of Questioning: |
| Drill and Practice (4) | Multiple Choice -Yes |
| Tutorial (4) | Fill-in - Yes |
| Branching - Yes | True/False - Yes |
| Simulation N/A | Write-in - No |
| Application (4) | Matching - Yes |
| Click On - Yes |
| Positive Reinforcement: (4) | Appropriate Feedback and
Explanations: (4) |
| Student Directions: (3.5) | Maintains Student Interest: (4) |
| Optional Review (learner control): (5) | Teacher manuals, documentation, supplementary materials: (4) |
| Student Worksheets: | Screen Presentation: |
| Computer generated: N/A | Ease of readability: (5) |
| Reproducible: N/A | Color: (5) |
| Graphic Quality: (5) | Text size: (5) |
| Computer "Tools" for students: | |
| Calculator- Yes | Notebook- Yes |
| Protractor -No | Hint Option- Yes |
| Ruler- No | Formulas - Yes |
| Glossary- Yes | Other: Close Up (expands text or graphics) |
| Multimedia Format: Yes | Toll-free customer support (5) |
| CD-ROM Yes | On-site visit - Yes (Sales Rep.) |
| Auditory Component: No | Educational consultant: (5) James Kirkland |
| Technical Support: Yes | In-state representative- Yes |
| Mastery Tests or Reviews: | Level of Thinking Skills: |
| On computer (5) | Literal (5) |
| Off-line N/A | Critical (5) |
Student Evaluations: (Good to Excellent) 4.8
Functional Context of the Content (4.5)
Enrollment and Reporting of Third Party Software: N/A
Correlation's to Standardized Tests: Yes