Countabout
by Micromega
Longman Software
1983

Another number game, Count About attempts to give practice in addition and subtraction in the number range 1 to 9. A number of objects appear on the screen (birds, clocks, crocodiles etc) together with a simple sum. For example, if two objects are displayed on screen, the player might he instructed to 'Make 6: 2 plus ? equals 6'. If the correct number key is pressed, the equivalent number of objects appears on the screen together with the completed sum.

Visually this game is much more appealing than Hot Dot Spotter, and the sort of structured reinforcement approach it involves is quite useful in achieving its limited objectives.

GENERAL RATING

All of the programs are well error-trapped but, with the exception of a,b,c... Lift Off!, they have little of real merit to commend them. This isn't to say that they are bad programs, but simply that they are no better or worse than other educational software which relies mainly on an arcade format to sweeten the drill/practice pill. They all run well, however, and are easy enough to use, but are lacking in flexibility and, generally speaking, belong more to the education system of the past than to the computer age.

The programs all cost £7.95 and will run on the 16 or 48K Spectrum.

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REVIEW BY: Rosetta McLeod

Blurb: Title: A, B, C, Lift Off! Educational Aim: letter/word recognition Age Range: 4 - 8 Control Keys: all letter keys used; S to snap Use of Colour: bright & attractive Graphics: in the letter recognition section, the pictures are rather small and a large part of the screen is unused Title: Wild Words Educational Aim: spelling Age Range: 6 and over Control Keys: H to see the word again, then cursor keys Use of Colour: good Graphics: uninspiring Title: Hot Dot Spotter Educational Aim: number skills Age Range: 4 - 8 Control Keys: number keys only Use of Colour: limited Graphics: very dull Title: Count About Educational Aim: addition and subtraction Age Range: 4 - 8 Control Keys: number keys only Use of Colour: good Graphics: good Title: Sum Scruncher Educational Aim: number skills Age Range: 6 and over Control Keys: cursor keys only Use of Colour: bright and clear Graphics: reasonably good Title: Robot Runner Educational Aim: multiplication Age Range: 6 and over Control Keys: cursor keys only Use of Colour: attractive Graphics: fairly good