More Fun Literacy Websites for Kids

http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/games/frieda/frieda.html

Fearless Frieda – Skillful Skateboarding starts with a creative interactive homepage. The user is told to make a “skater name,” which I think is a good way to get the user interested in using the website to learn. When I was younger, my friends and I would have fun making up nicknames for each other. The website directs the user on how to construct their name, with using three different steps. The user chooses an adjective from a list, which helps the user get an idea of what words are considered adjectives. Then the user gets to pick their favorite animal, and their favorite number, and the equation will give them their new “Skater Name” that they will use to play the games.

The user is introduced to Fearless Frieda, who is a skateboarder. She instructs the user to use their keyboard to type the words that she is saying. For example, she starts off with words like “hat.” She sounds out each letter you type, if it is correct. If you get the whole word correct, your character does a trick on the skateboard ramp. If you get one letter wrong, they fall. The more tricks the character does, the more points the user gets. The website progresses to different levels, making the words harder. The user gets different prizes, like a new skateboard, and this is a good positive reinforcement. The child will feel like they want to continue playing the game, because they want to see what the next prize is.

The website is very easy to navigate, it just takes you through the steps. It also will not tell the user the answer until they get it wrong more than a couple of times. The website has music playing in the background, as well as bright colors on the screen. It is a playful website, and integrates the child into it very well. The child being able to have a character on the website makes it more of a competitive game, rather than a lesson. The fact that Fearless Frieda is saying the words out loud once, and then each letter as the user types on his or her keyboard, helps the user learn how letters and complete words sound. Another plus about this website is while the student is learning speaking and spelling English words, he or she is also learning where letters are on the keyboard. It does not help students write letters, but they can identify the letters on the keyboard, which will help with other skill sets. But especially in today’s world, it is almost vital that people learn how to use a computer at a young age.

Evaluated by Myron Hardy