Secret Writer's Society 4.0

Description:

Take the elevator underground to the Secret Writer's Society. Tex, mission controller, tells you to train on levels 1-6 with Agent Sonya. Gain 100 points at each level, to win the letters of the secret password for access to missions on level 7. Each training level works on a writing skill, and is introduced by an engaging song that reinforces the ideas. Success is encouraged and hints are given in case of errors.

Level 1 works on Capitals. The Capitalizer gizmo generates sentences with an error in capitalization, then displays the words briefly in turn. Click when the error appears and then type in the capital letter. Level 2 trains punctuation skills - complete each sentence shown by adding a period, exclamation mark or question mark.

The level 3 song explains subjects and predicates in sentences, and the challenge is to unscramble words to form sentences. Then retype the entire sentence with proper capitalization and punctuation. This one is especially nice in that there are reminders of errors being made while typing.

Level 4 has scrambled paragraphs and the song emphasizes starting with the main idea, detailing it and then coming back to it for a concluding sentence. Sonya leads you through ordering the scrambled sentences into a proper paragraph. Level 5's song is about planning in writing, and the task requires sequencing of ideas in a logical order (an agent put his plan in the shredder instead of the fax machine!).

In level 6 the task is to proofread paragraphs, by identifying the type of error in each sentence - missing capital, end punctuation, missing space or spelling. Complete this to win the final letter for the password, get to level 7 and take on a mission.

In level 7, pick from 24 missions on topics like 'Secret Sandwich Making Contest', 'Your Own Story', or 'Your Own Room Sign'. Then go through the 5 steps needed to complete the mission, with prompts and help for each one: Plan, Draft, Revise, Edit and Present. This makes writing a very structured process. Finally save and/or print the result.

There are 2 additional areas to explore. Play with fridge magnet words in the Kitchen. There are 7 words ready to make into sentences on the fridge and additional fridge magnets can be typed. Sentences can be read aloud. Diary has a color password, and entries can be made daily.

There are Setup controls for parents or teachers that permit them to see player status, turn off time limits, enable Internet and e-mail access from the program, give free access to level 7, and switch the voice between male and female.

Features:

• Multiple students tracked
• Setup controls for parents & teachers
• Songs can be played on a music CD player
• Includes a diary
• Skip intro using space bar

Technical Aspects:

Most of the activities are reinforced by songs. There is auditory instruction and text is often read aloud, so that this is not recommended for someone with auditory difficulty.

There were a few small glitches in the program - when you restart, it does not remember the picture selected for the user. Also I found some typos in the texts used, for example 'Our friend Mike has a new a trampoline', and one sentence that was supposed to have a missing period and did not - 'Unless we are all sick, someone will call you back.'.

At one point the program hung in the Diary, and subsequently the diary could not be accessed for that user, with a message 'Script error. Cast member not found. "diary"'.

Report and Conclusions:

Although the title is aimed at ages 8 and up, younger children who are motivated to write would also enjoy it. It is probably best for children between 7 and 9. My 10 year old tried it, and though there was some benefit in reinforcement, he found the exercises too easy.

The strength of Secret Writer's Society lies in its structured approach to writing, and especially in the way that this is reinforced with engaging songs, constant encouragement, checklists and verbal reminders. If you have a child in grades 3 to 4, who loves to write or could use some help in the writing process, this is a good one to try.