Customer Reviews

Elementary Advantage 2006

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I bought this in hopes of helping a 7 yr old improve his spelling and reading.

Although the title includes the year 2006, I've seen better-looking software published in 1996. I was so disappointed, especially since I had passed over similar titles costing $19.95 because I thought $39.95 would buy more content and better quality.

Still, after getting over my initial surprise, I thought that I should at least give it a good try. Then I discovered another shocker; although the box says Grades 1-5 / Ages 6+, the reading and spelling software is for ages 9-12! It says so when you load it.

Still, I ventured further. I looked at all the reading lessons, activities, and games ... I say ALL, when in fact there is only one thing on the program. One lousy game that I couldn't even figure out how to play. There are no "lessons" or "activities", just this one awful game.

So ... I gave up and looked at the spelling program. So pitifully poor! I don't recommend this software title to anyone for any reason.

Admittedly, I haven't loaded the other CD's (foreign languages, math, science, etc). And I don't think I will. I can think of better ways to waste hard drive space.

I am so disappointed! And terribly discouraged. I don't think I will be buying anymore learning software. This was my first, and it has put me off the idea altogether.

This product will NOT work if you have Windows XP. First of all, you would have to give your child administrator rights to change your computer settings to use this product. Bad idea.

Second, we can't even install the software even after approving the administrative rights. We get constant error messaages. The technical support site for this software is designed so that you cannot even submit your request unless you jump through about a million hoops.

Save your money and the hassles that you will have trying to make this work on your computer.

This software is bundled with five cd's offering lessons in earth science, typing, reading and spelling, social studies and writing, critical thinking, basic math, foreign languages, and fractions. The installation of these programs is unacceptable. Some of the programs will not load on XP. Some of the programs are run from the CD's. As for the actual software, some are 1996, 1997, 2000 written programs with limited offerings. Some of these programs contain old code written for Windows 95, 98. Some of the programs will not load the complete software on the hard drive. So you are stuck having to change cd's when changing programs. I would love to see who evaluated this program for the Parents Choice Foundation. My children were not happy with the software offered. I will be returning it tomorrow.

I am in the same boat with the other reviewer other than I cannot return this program. I don't know who voted these the parents choise because they don't intall properly. The content and graphic take me back to the early 90's when computers where getting big. Jump-Start and Knowlege Adventure programs are much better and keeping the kids wanting to play. Basicly only my 5 years old will play the spanish game, when it works.

Unfortunatley I bought this software before I read the reviews, and I absolutely agree with the other reviewers (elementary and middle school)that this software is awful, garbage, etc, etc. If you manage to work through the installation problems you will find the content utterly boring. This software has been returned.

My best advice is to save your money and do more research on other products. The fancy box is misleading as the software is terribly outdated.

I wish I would had read the review before I spent the $40 on this software...it doesn't load correctly on XP (een though the box says it's XP compatible) and my son found the contant boring...it;s going back today...

Gee, I've used the Elementary and Middle School Advantage to suppliment the "Play and Learn" books for home schooling and found it acceptable. The programs can be difficult to load on newer machines but that is not our issue. Compared with what is being taught in public schools in our area, it is nice to have the opportunity to teach/learn Spanish, typing and do spelling in a game form. There are definetly things that could be improved on but as a suppliment its acceptable and usable. I particularly found the Middle School Advantage Reading disc full of books a great asset. The elementary spelling disc could use revamping by having grade graduated lists, common mis-spelled words and words grouped together with common sounds, spellings or letter characteristics. I recommend purchasing the set at the used price of under $10. and use it as a interactive suppliment.

We bought the Elementary Advantage 2007 - cannot even load it- we agree w/ the above. Amazon shouldn't even attempt to sell this product.

This product is fun even for me as an adult. The kids love it and like learning all the new things the CD has to offer.