Title: KID PIX Studio Deluxe
Publisher: Broderbund Software, Inc.
Date Published: 1998
Platform: Windows. The installation instructions also say that this software can be used on Macintosh and PPC computer users.
Content Area:
Technology - The primary content area addressed
with this software is using creativity and technology to produce multimedia
products that include graphics, text, sounds, animation, and technological
skills. The lessons included in KID PIX help enhance concepts learned
in all areas of curriculum including Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Math,
Social Studies, Science, and Art.
Range of Grade Levels:
The levels of the lessons and activities
in this software range from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade plus.
Included in the front of the teacher’s manual is an easy-to-read curriculum
matrix that lists the lessons and page numbers for concepts taught in specific
grade levels and in specific subject areas.
Content Description:
The KID PIX software seems to be mostly
used for tutorial but lessons are included that can be used in small groups.
The activities included help to enhance concepts learned in all areas of
the curriculum including Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Math, Social
Studies, Science, and Art. This software also encourages individual
creativity through the activities that are available. A sample from
one of the disks includes such activities as making your own slide show,
making your own television show, painting a picture, making a puppet move
by typing on the keyboard, and making moving pictures by using the “Wacky
Brush.” The amount of time needed for these activities varies; some
can be done in a shorter amount of time than others. The software
includes activities for a wide grade range of students. Activities
and lesson plans are included for grade pre-kindergarten all the way to
sixth grade plus. Most of the activities seem very flexible and versatile
with easy instructions and lots of selection.
Instructional Type:
Tutorial – software seems to be mostly tutorial
but has other aspects as well
Game (not what we think of as a typical
“game” but the software is fun to play with and allows for a wide range
and use of creativity)
Tool – can be used as a tool for the classroom
or for individual use – also provided in the instructional manual is a
description of ways to use KID PIX in small groups when doing cooperative
learning
Strengths:
One of the best things about the KID PIX
software is the instructional manual that is included with the disks.
The manual includes lesson plans that can be used with this software.
The lesson plans are easy to follow and include pictures of the steps taken
and/or the finished product. There are a wide variety of grade levels
and content areas represented in the lesson plans that are included.
The teacher’s guide is also nice because it includes user tips and specific
instructions on how to do everything that is involved with using KID PIX.
These instructions range from how to install the software onto your computer
to a grading rubric that can be used when assessing a student’s KID PIX
product. The manual is also nice because it includes a lengthy list
of additional resources that a teacher may want to use. These resources
include books, lesson plans, and web sites that can be used when using
this software. The manual is also a valuable asset to this software
because of the user guide that is included. The user guide is well
organized so that people with differing technological backgrounds can understand
the instructions. It is a valuable asset because it tells you everything
you need to know about using this software while also including the symbols
that one will see on the software and the many choices that one will have
when they are using KID PIX.
While I love the manual provided with
the software, I also like the software itself. I found the activities
to be quite fun and interactive. I liked the creativity that was
available through the wide range on choices (such as colors, icons, sounds,
etc. that can be used) given to the user. I also liked the ease of
play that this software provided. While there are lessons and activities
that can be used for all levels of elementary school learners, the activities
ranged in different levels of difficulty. There was a lot of selection
for the user so that no two products will look the same. KID PIX
seems to allow individuality to shine! I loved the sounds that the
software made when the user selects specific tasks and/or tools.
I also enjoyed the way that the software allows the user to play back their
creations when their task is completed.
Weaknesses:
While the KID PIX software had many
strengths, it also had a few weaknesses. First of all, when the software
was installed it changed all of the colors on the screen saver, etc. on
our computer. I do not know if this usually occurs or not but it
did not make me particularly happy. I was never exposed to computers
or software for computers when I was in school so I really enjoyed looking
at KID PIX. Being the first piece of software that I have really
looked at I am unsure whether it is above average, average, or below average
in comparison to other software that is available. I loved the ease
of using KID PIX and I especially liked the information manual. However,
I wonder how up to date some of the images and icons that are used in this
software are. Some of the images looked rather old to me but I am
unsure whether this is how must software is or not.
How would using this software add to a lesson
or a classroom?
I think that using this software would
add to your classroom environment because it would expose students more
to technology while also encouraging them to be creative and unique.
I also think that the lessons would be a good way to integrate technology
into the curriculum because it would allow you to use a specific lesson
to enhance a unit that you may be doing with the class or a theme that
you may be discussing. When I was in elementary school we did not
have a chance to experience technology in a computer lab much less in a
classroom setting. I think that having software such as KID PIX would
enhance your classroom environment because it would be another way of brining
technology into the lives of your students.
Would you use this software with your students?
Why or why not?
Yes, I would use this software with my students
because I think that it will be another way to encourage them to be creative.
I think that it is so important for teachers to encourage their students
to be creative. However, at times I think that this is a difficult
task because some people think that they are not creative just because
they may be unable to draw well. I think that KID PIX would encourage
creativity in my students because you do not have to be able to draw well
but you do have to use your imagination to create the pictures, slide shows,
television shows, and other activities available with the software.
I think that this software is also good for students and I would use it
in my classroom because it allows the creator to play back what they have
created when they are finished. I think that it is important for
students to see their own work so I liked the fact that they were able
to easily see the slide show, etc. after finishing.
Rating and Explanation:
I would rate KID PIX a number nine.
Not being very familiar with computer software I was amazed at the possibilities
one is given through the activities on KID PIX. I also gave this
software a high rating because of the informational manual that is available
with the CD’s. I found this manual to be very user-friendly and I
think that it would be a great asset to any elementary school classroom.
User Comments:
Art Links: http://www.broderbund.com/education
http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/hv/Hale-Bopp/computer-art/index.html
http://www.personal.umd.umich.edu/~jobrown/kidpix.html
http://www.lvusd.k12.ca.us.elem/baylaurel/persinger/teach/mm1.html
http://www.harlingen.isd.tenet.edu/kidpix.htm
General Resources and then List of Additional
Resources in content areas
General http://www.classroom.com
http://www.yahooligans.com