Brainbuilder

We have it … have had it for a few weeks and I must say, it’s just what we needed. My son is 13 and recently started reading …. his main problem now seems to be memory and his digit span scores were really low so I started looking into stuff to help and found Brainbuilder. It is really neat (my 13 yo loves it but my 11 yo doesn’t — but is benefiting) … The screen looks like a very modern piece of equipment and there is a keyboard/number pad on the screen…. in a window the numbers appear and you either click the number pad on the screen or on your keyboard to repeat them. (Wow, this is hard to explain in an e-mail). The program has several different games …. 1) several numbers appear on the screen (3 8 9 5) then they disappear and your key them back 2) the numbers appear one at a time and then after they are done you keey them back 3) the “voice” says the numbers and you key them back THEN the same games are repeated but you respond in reverse order. The levels are set by the game during the first round. You can have more than one child use the software and it keeps track of the progress. I’m not sure what the “professional” opinion is out there …. I’m just a homeschooling mom!
Susan

Thank you for your reply. Sounds like it might be heplful for us.We just received Earobics for adolescents and adults so we will start on it tomorrow.

I have BrainBuilder 3.0. It’s a good program for what it does (works on developing short-term auditory and visual memory & sequencing). However, you need to realize that it is a very narrowly focused program. Most children with short-term memory and/or sequencing problems have multiple areas of deficit.

A program such as Audiblox (http://www.audiblox2000.com) is much more likely to result in broad overall improvement because it works on developing multiple cognitive skills — directionality, pattern recognition, strategy and reasoning, rhythm, coordination, etc. in addition to auditory and visual short-term memory and sequencing.

Costs are comparable, but Audiblox requires 1/2-hour per day of one-on-one work with an adult to practice the exercises, whereas BB3.0 can — at least, theoretically — be done by the child independently. In reality, many children need moral support and encouragement to keep at BB long enough to achieve improvement.

In general, I have found that one-on-one work with an adult brings about more improvements than computer programs do, so my vote is for Audiblox over BrainBuilder.

Have you tried Reading Reflex?

Mary

Hi Mary,

As you know, we’ve done PACE and now are on Lesson 15 (of 23) of Master the Code (and then will go back to work some more with PACE). My daughter has done well with both programs but she still really struggles with auditory memory and visual memory, to a lesser extent. Despite spending major amounts of time on Memory Auditory Span to develop integration and auditory recall, she has not been able to master the first level. I’ve had her try to use visualization to help support the memory auditory span but she has been unable to accomplish this within the time allowed. Do you think BrainBuilder would help with this? She likes computer work since it allows her to work more independently. As allows, I appreciate your wisdom!

Blessings, momo

Brainbuilder uses numbers instead of words like PACE does. Perhaps she would find that easier… I prefer words myself. You can adjust it down to two numbers but then you can do that yourself with PACE.

Major advantage might be that you are out of the picture more. Also, it is just different which might provide some interest.

We use Audio Blox and Brainbuilder. While my one son is working on Brainbuilder, I work with the other on Audio Blox and then we switch. It is very difficult to find something educational for my son to do independently … so this works for us (some days!)
Susan

What is Reading Reflex? Thanks.

Nell

Reading Reflex is a book written by Carmen and Geoffrey McGuiness, available in bookstores for about $16. It tells a parent the theory behind the Phono-Graphix approach to reading, and then provides instruction for a parent in exactly how to use the method to tutor a child in reading. The method tends to be very effective, and has been used to remediate all ages. It’s pretty easy to do. When my daughter was 8-1/2yo and not reading at all, I used this book to teach her basic decoding skills (able to decode words at a 2nd/3rd grade level) in about 30 hours of one-on-one. Website is http://www.readamerica.net

Mary