Educational software manufacturers are homeward bound these days, searching out the estimated 20 million residences with personal computers and trying to fill them with “edutainment” materials that will have kids screaming for more.
The definition of what is educational varies from company to company. But all the manufacturers we spoke with stressed the value of these home programs as educational enhancers, not replacements.
A distinction between edutainment and educational is being made in the industry now as new players enter the market. Edutainment incorporates learning into games. A purely educational product teaches kids how to draw, design or be creative.
The market is small, with only a handful of producers, (although this is quickly changing). According to the Software Publishers Association, a Washington based trade group, home-education software was the fastest growing category in 1993 with nearly $400 million in sales.
Computers’ versatility has allowed developers to broaden their scope and move away from strictly drill-and-practice formats. “Programs now cover topics from math to the environment and embedded in the game is a discovery process to make learning fun,” says Lesley Grimm, Director of the Media Learning Center at Dominican College in San Rafael, Calif.
Available now are new products designed for kids ranging in age from 3 up to the early teens.
Software Toolworks Inc., Novato, Ca., recently released a new series, Mario’s Early Years! The three titles for 3- to 6-year-olds are: Preschool Fun, Fun With Numbers, and Fun With Letters. Using the popular Nintendo character Mario, the programs have two modes: discovery and learning. They combine exploring, decision-making and problem-solving skills that require kids to interact with the computer.
Preschool Fun is designed to help prepare children for schoolwork in early grades. Fun With Numbers focuses on the basic concepts of numbers, math and counting. In Fun With Letters children are introduced to letters and sounds with the intention of instilling a love for reading at an early age. The titles are available on diskette for MS-DOS, selling for $39.95. They require DOS-based IBM and compatible systems, 386/SX 16 MHz minimum, 640k of RAM, 512k extended memory, 12mb of hard disk space, VGA graphics, MS-DOS 5.0 or higher and a mouse. A sound card is also highly recommended.
Microsoft now wants its piece of the market and has entered the arena of children’s software with products targeting elementary- and middle-school-age children. “Research Microsoft has done shows that for a typical family to justify buying a computer for the home, they must be convinced that the kids will use it too,” says Julie Petersen, spokeswoman for the company.
The company’s two new titles: Creative Writer (used in some public schools) and Fine Artist (available in March of this year) are for ages 8 to 14. Creative Writer is a creative writing and publishing program with cartoon characters guiding kids along. Fine Artist is a comprehensive art program that teaches basic art techniques and creates projects. Both programs are available for Macintosh and Microsoft Windows. Suggested retail price for both programs is $64.95 and require a fast 386-based PC, and 4mb of hard disk space, as well as VGA graphics. The Mac should be at least 6.0.7.
Sanctuary Woods Multimedia Inc. entered the home education market late last year with Sitting on the Farm, a CD-ROM title in English and French. Developed for children ages 7 to 10, it primarily teaches language skills using subject areas such as music, geography and social studies. Its high educational value won it the 1993 Gold Medal Award from the National Association of Parenting Publications, a review of the best in quality children’s media and toys.
Club KidSoft, is an informational, educational software magazine for ages 4 through 12 that lists the latest in disk and CD-ROM software for IBM compatibles and the Mac. Founded by two fathers with home computers and kids wanting more and more computer adventures, the 11 by 14 tabloid publication combines info-marketing for multi-media savy kids. It premiered in October, with a format that makes the decision-making process a “collective effort” between parent and child, emphasizing that they review products and communicate.
Products featured are “kid tested,” and educator approved, with an advisory panel designed to sipher out good products. Also included is feedback from magazine subscribers on software and good usage of the home computer. The magazine has a marketing mechanism that utilizes CD-ROM technology by providing a demo disk to kids to test software. Electronic shopping has never been easier, (purchases can only be made with adult permission) a toll free phone call (1-800-354-6150) and a credit card can have a full program downloaded into a hard drive within minutes.
Industry experts recommend sticking with a company you have been satisfied with in the past and not letting your purchasing decision be swayed by fancy packaging. Look for industry, magazine or parent association awards on the box. Some experts, however, question the credibility of awards from foundations and organizations not affiliated with a recognized association. Parents whose children use computers in school should consult teachers about supplemental programs to use at home.
