Reading Software for Elementary Students

Teaching reading using reading software on the computer can be a useful way of keeping kids on track and motivated with their learning. Although it is often not a productive way of introducing basic skills, comptuer games are helpful in providing ongoing practise opportunities and for helping elementary kids who need a bit of extra time on a particular skill. Reading and general education software is also great for kids who love the extra 'zing' of animation, sound and graphics on the screen to make their reading time interesting.

Reading for elementary students involves teaching a whole range of skills. These include:

• teaching vocabulary
• teaching decoding skills
• mastering comprehension
• increasing fluency and reading speed

The 'Nessy' series published by Net Education systems in the UK and available through EdSoft in Australia is a great piece of reading software which focuses on story reading, spelling, decoding and vocabulary skills, mouse skills and keyboarding for elementary children, and is suited to those in the early years of their education (probably in the K-3 or 4 grades, although some games would be suitable for slightly older children)

The Nessy version that I trialled had a number of games, stories and activities available for review, with some others (particularly the higher levels of Gamesplayer and some of the stories on Nessy Tales) unavailable. This review therefore is only based on the games, stories and levels viewable on the demonstration version.

This program is a great, low cost option for schools as well as home use.

• Nessy Gamesplayer (reading and spelling for ages 7-14) - Single user 19.95 pounds (UK)
• Nessy Tales - Story reading for ages 5-8) - Home user download 7.99 pounds or single user 37 pounds (UK)
• Nessy Fingers (keyboarding for ages 8 plus) 17 pounds single user (UK)

The animation and graphics are terrific, and would appeal to a cross section of ages

Unlike some education software, the voices are suited to a range of audiences and countries. My Australia daughter easily understood the voice for Nessy Tales and Nessy Gamesplayer, and only had one small issue with an unfamiliar word on the Gamesplayer program.

Feedback is immediate, and does not detract from the game or story being used.

Sound combines well with the on screen action, and both serve to complement each other to keep elementary students motivated and interested.

There are a few minor considerations and issues when thinking about buying the Nesy programs. For some students, their reading and vocabulary may not be at a level which matches their keyboarding and mouse skills. For example, my daughter (age 6) found she enjoyed the fishing game on Nessy Gamesplayer and could easily manage the actual learning task, but struggled to use the mouse efficiently enough to compelte the game before getting frustrated with it.

There are differences in level for the various reading activities and games, so that it may not be appropriate for the same student to do all the games.

As with most education software, it is important to keep your eye on the main task and not allow students (and yourself) to indulge in the temptation of 'busy time'. Reading and education software based activities should be based on a clearly expressed goal for elementary student learning, and should be used to provide practise of skills, motivation of learners, and activities.

Nessy does all of the above well!