Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Review: Hear Builder Following Directions Software




Recently, we were given the opportunity to review some products from Super Duper Publications. On the list of items to choose from was a software program called HearBuilder Following Directions. A game for children that encourages following directions? I was soooo in!


About Hear Builder Following Directions


Webber HearBuilder Following Directions is the all new, innovative, evidence-based, interactive software program that gives students a systematic way to improve their auditory and following directions skill. At the same time, students will learn how to become Master Toy Makers while building their own Toy Central factories.


Students will...


      * Follow increasingly difficult directions.
      * Demonstrate knowledge of 40 basic concepts in five areas:
               * Basic Directiosn
               * Sequential Directions
               * Quantitive & Spatial Directions
               * Temporal Directions
               * Conditional Directions


Educators can...


       * Individualize each student program
       * Set levels of difficulty for each activity
       * Identify & print learning objectives for all levels
       * Add background noise at any level
       * Monitor progress & track data for an unlimited number of students
       * Track all relevant data
       * Customize & print reports

Our Experience 


Well to put it succinctly, Kayleigh loves it!!! She doesn't normally spend a lot of time on the computer but she will sit for an hour playing this game. She loves that she gets to be a toy builder. She calls herself Santa's little elf when she plays.

The game consists of five activities. First up is the tool room where they follow basic directions to earn tools that will help them "build" the toys. The directions feature colors, big/small, and ordinal placement like first, second, etc.

Next they head to the Toy Machine Room where they follow sequential directions that help them operate the toy machine. Here they produce a new toy for setting the switches on the machine correctly. Some levels will allow them to set the switches in any order and others require them to follow a specific order.


The Toy Inspection Room, which features quantitative and spatial directions, is next. Quantitative directions include terms like one, all , either, except, and don't. Some indicate spatial location like first, second, above, between etc.  In this room they get to play a quick game for mastering levels.

Then they move on to the Toy Packing Room, which uses temporal directions. These directions contain words like before and after.  "Before you put the doll in the box, put the rocket in the box." They are rewarded with an opportunity to complete a small puzzle.


Finally they go to the shipping room, which provides conditional directions. "If a doll is in the box, put the box on the truck." They earn a little driving game after mastering the levels.

Kayleigh's favorite level is the shipping room. She said she likes to drive the car to bring toys to her friends and the babies who don't have any. LOL She seems so sweet in blog land.

The progress report is a very nice feature for parents. It lets you see exactly what your child has done and how well that they've done it. It can also be a little aggravating because when you see all of those 100% scores for a following directions game you have to wonder why the tea set is still in the middle of the floor even though you told to pick it up and put it away. LOL

Now for the very best part. They have to listen very carefully to hear the directions. That means that they have to be quiet. Ahhhhhh, blessed silence! Helps the small fry follow directions and keeps them quiet? I call that a double win.

F.Y.I.


Website: http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=HBHE122 (BTW, there is a little demo you can watch on the website.)

Age Range: 4-9

Price: $69.95 but they are offering 30% off through August 31. Just use the code BLGFD30


System Requirements:   http://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=HBHE122&view=System_Requirements   (It is available for Windows and Mac)


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The Crew got to review several of their awesome products so be sure to click the banner to read what else Super Duper Publications has to offer! And be sure to order a catalog to help you with your Christmas shopping.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this product for review purposes. All opinions are mine or that of my family.

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