DSI: Educational Software
A Little Background: In the early 1990's, Peter Findlay and Doug Colpitts became computer teachers in their elementary schools. They were dissatisfied with the 'educational' software that was available. Most of the commercial software - more edutainment than educational - did not fit with important educational and classroom management requirements. So Peter and Doug began to create their own software, testing and revising it thoroughly with their students. From the Amiga platform to Windows and MacOS, these programs have stood the test of time and thousands of successful students and confident teachers in hundreds of schools.
The BC Game
The BC Game has been a favourite among grades 4 to 7
students for years. In the game, the student visits sixty town
and cities in the province, learning facts, remembering photos
and videos, and studying maps because she must earn money and
comfort points or risk 'meeting the judge"! We have found that
this is a 'game' that students at all levels are eager to play
all year, year after year.
Learn more about The BC Game
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Fliptales 3
FlipTales is an exciting graphics
program perfect for elementary students.
Using FlipTales, students create a series of pages that
can be printed as an illustrated book, or flipped as an
animation. FlipTales Slideshow allows the students to present
their FlipTales projects as full screen slideshows with recorded
narration. (FlipTales has a built-in sound recorder or can call
any Windows sound recorder.) FlipTales also has speech-to-text
capability allowing students to create "talking books."
FlipTales is an ideal tool for integrating technology
and curriculum. It is powerful and motivating as it encourages
students to organize and present their ideas creatively in any
subject area. Downloaded images can be imported to accompany
student drawn images.
FlipTales is suitable for grades 1 - 7 and is
configurable for either English or French user interface.
Learn more about Fliptales 3.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Mathminer
Mathminer was created for students in grades two to five,
but we've found that older students love it too. A miner in
a gold mine, you must rent the use of the elevator and
digging equipment. Your object is to get as much gold as you
can in a period, but in order to get rental money you must
answer mathematics questions. These questions cover many of
the concepts in the grades 1 to 4 mathematics curriculum. At
our schools, we have found many students eagerly learn
concepts in Mathminer before they are covered in
class.
Learn more about Mathminer.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
ATimes
ATimes uses a collection of simple circus activities to
present the most comprehensive set of times tables drills.
Students move sequentially from the 2x table to the 12x table
and higher. Difficulty levels are set for each student to ensure
appropriate levels of success and challenge. ATimes is a highly
motivating and effective way to reinforce those times table
skills. (Grades 4-7)
Learn more about ATimes.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Skyride
Learning the location of the letters on the keyboard can be
a tedious and frustrating process. Our typing tutor,
ATYPE, guides students carefully through sequencial lessons.
Skyride takes a very different approach. In Skyride, students
don't even realize that they are learning to type - they are
having too much fun making money and shopping.
Learn more about Skyride
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Snapshots 2
Snapshots 2 is a vocabulary and keyboarding program that is
perfect for primary and E.S.L. students. Students see and hear
words before typing them. Upon completing a group, the students
can review the words before being quizzed on them. Words can be
presented in A - Z groups or theme groups. Snapshots 2 is
customizable by simply dragging picture files into the
appropriate folder. Any pictures you want to include can become
part of the Snapshots list!
Learn more about Snapshots.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Explorers
The game was created to help grade four students understand
mapping concepts and main ideas about the European explorers
who dreamed of wealth and fame as they crossed the Atlantic
Ocean.
Learn more about Explorers.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Food For
Thought
Food For Thought is a collection of seven
math and thinking games for grades 3 - 7.
Each game can be played with a partner or against the computer
and encourages students to develop strategies while playing.
Skills reinforced include addition, subtraction, times tables,
decimal ordering, factors, and number sentences.
Learn more about Food For Thought.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Compose
Compose is an easy-to-use song creation tool. It is
appropriate for grades two to five students to learn about
simple song forms and musical terms, while creating and
printing their own pieces, even entering in their own
lyrics.
Learn more about Compose.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
Word Memory
It's the classic concentration game - optimized for
classroom use.
Students can enter their own spelling or vocabulary words before
playing the game. Or, they can play Match-em ... searching for
opposites, homophones, French/English matches and much more! For
grades 1 - 3.
Learn more about Word Memory.
Contact: sales@duetsoftware.ca
ChildMinder
ChildMinder is custom designed for use in Sunday School settings.
It will keep demographic and attendance information in a way that is
easy for your volunteers and staff to manage.
Learn more about ChildMinder.