Name of reviewer (your name): Stephanie McElvain

Name of the Website: Sheppard Software Preschool

Educational Activity Selected: Alphabet Game- Sunnie’s UPPERCASE Letters
Web Address to the Activity: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/preschool/ngames/alphabet/KO.htm
Publisher: Sheppard Software
Grade Level: Pre-K to Kindergarten

Brief Description of the Activity or Program:

The activity starts the student on whichever of the 5 letter groups is selected: A-E, F-J, K-O, PT, or U-Z.
There is a gentle female voice that states “Sunnie loves letters. She also loves animals. Help Sunnie as
she learns her Animal Alphabet.” Underneath the written words for this reading, there is an arrow to
start in the selected letter group or a different button to work on the lowercase letters of the same
group. If the user is to click the arrow, they are led to a page that does a quick review of the letters in
the group when each letter is clicked on. The used then clicks the arrow to go to the next page. Next, the
user is prompted to fin the animal that starts with a chosen letter in that letter group.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the program?

This program is very easy to use. If the student clicks on an incorrect selection, they are told the correct
answer. Once they click on the correct answer the voice gives a positive message. The only weakness
that I saw in my time on the website is that the design is very busy. There is too much to choose from on
a single page and can become confusing or possibly overwhelming to a small child.

How long did it take you to become familiar with the program?

The program is very easy to use. There are verbal cues as the user hovers their mouse over pictures that
makes it easy for anyone to use. I was familiar with the program within a few minutes of using it.

How long might it take students? Why?

I think that some children may find the home page to be overwhelming and confusing. This might delay
how fast a student might learn how to use the program. Once an activity is selected though, I believe
that the student will quickly adapt to it.

What is the program’s educational value? Explain

This program can be very rich for a Preschool/Pre-K education because of the encouraging tones and
features. When a student feels confident, they are more apt to learn more from what they are working
on.

Is the documentation for the software program, such as technical support and instructions on how to
use the software presented clearly on the website? Explain

I did not find any information on this website for FAQs or technical help. The only area that I saw
available for contacting the site was for the site to receive user feedback.

How does the graphic, sound, & animation contribute to its educational value? Explain
The graphics were clear and up to speed with the program, there was not buffering in the animations
and the animations were all friendly looking characters. The sound was a bit to fast paced, though not
an unenjoyable tone, which made me feel like I needed to move faster or was under a time crunch. I feel
that could be difficult for a child.

Will students enjoy using this program? Explain why or why not.

I believe that my Pre-K child would enjoy using this program. It will be easy for him to use, even though
he is still very new to using a computer. I do wish that this platform was offered in a clean and neat
version for IOS and Android.

Does the software program give appropriate feedback to responses? Explain

Yes, when an incorrect response is selected, the voice states, “No, the answer is _______” The user can
then click on the correct answer, is congratulated and encouraged to keep going.

Is the program user friendly? Explain

Yes, although I find it to be busy, the verbal cues as the user holds the mouse cursor over the pictures
makes the program very user friendly.

Can the skill levels be adjusted by the user/instructor? Explain

There are only two skill levels available on this website, Pre-K or Kindergarten. The user or instructor can
move freely between either option.