Building Vocabulary Skills

This software program accompanies the textbook Building Vocabulary Skills. The program provides vocabulary tests (context tests and definition tests) that practice and reinforce words used in the book. The program is self-explanatory; directions are given throughout. Often the program moves on by itself. When it does not, move on to the next screen by hitting the Enter/Return key. You can no longer print scores from this program due to a compability issue with Windows 2000. 

Comprehension Power

This program provides skills development for comprehension. The participant can sign in with a name or can practice without entering a name. Key words will be provided. The program asks if keywords should flash, the rate of reading speed, and whether the text should be displayed in full-page text or line by line. Text will appear on the screen and questions about meaning will follow. The reading rate can be changed at any time. After the test is complete, the reading rate, % of comprehension, and reading index will be provided and a skill report will follow. To exit the program during the session, hit the escape key on the keyboard. 

Improving Vocabulary Skills

This software is in the same format as Building Vocabulary Skills and goes along with the textbook Improving Vocabulary Skills. It asks the meaning of the word in a context. It provides information as to the correctness of the answers and offers a retest of the incorrect answers. The participant uses this program the same way as Building Vocabulary Skills. You can no longer print scores from this program due to a compability issue with Windows 2000. 

Inspiration

Inspiration enables you to think and learn visually. Inspiration provides you with the tools to create a picture of your ideas or concepts in the form of a diagram. It also provides an integrated outlining environment to help you develop your ideas into organized written documents. Inspiration's combination of visual and linear thinking deepens understanding of concepts, increases memory retention, develops organizational skills and taps creativity. 

Inspiration has a very good Help section. Use this frequently when you run into problems. In addition, the Reading Lab Coordinator has Inspiration, Version 6, Getting Started and the Inspiraton User's Manual. You can borrow either one of these documents to copy or read. Both documents are in the computer lab. There is a tutorial in Inspiration, Version 6, Getting Started (pages 31-80). Completion of the tutorial will provide you with a good foundation for using the software. 

Paradigm

Paradigm is an on-line writer's guide and handbook that is distributed, free of charge, over the Internet. It has been loaded onto the reading lab computers. 

PowerPoint

This is a program included in Microsoft Office. The student can use it to develop slides for presentations. Instructions for using this software can be accessed by linking here. Creating Presentations Using PowerPoint

Web Page Development

 If you want to do a class project where your students do a very easy web page, go to this page on the arachnophilia web site, Home Page Builder 2.0. There is a shortcut on the desktop for this purpose. 

Two other types of software used to create web pages are Netscape Composer and FrontPage Express. They are both on the computers in the reading labs. Netscape Composer is automatically downloaded with Netscape Communicator (browser) and FrontPage Express can be accessed from the following path on the desktop, Start/Programs/Accessories/Internet Tools/FrontPage Express.