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Homepage | Reviews | Competitions | Guest Rooms | Miscellaneous | Editor |
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ADI's
Complete Learning Packs |
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ADI, the very human-looking alien, is
almost a household name within educational circles. He certainly appears in more
interactive learning programmes than just about any other character and his methods have
gained him a lot of respect amongst parents, children and educationalists alike. Perhaps
this is because of the way ADI handles the teaching process, presenting himself as a
virtual friend, or maybe it’s just that whatever you’re involved with in an ADI
title you’re certain that you are going to have fun…! During the last couple of years the company responsible for the
distribution of ADI products, Sierra, has undergone several changes and is now known as
Vivendi. ADI also has evolved from a cute cartoony figure into a more realistic and
lifelike character, although he still retains his pointy ears and fun-loving nature, and
this makes him even more identifiable with for the children. In his latest series, ADI’S
COMPLETE LEARNING PACKS, the emphasis is on Sats key stage 2 and the interactivities
take place on ADI’s amazing spaceship and satellite space stations. Covering years 3,4,5 and 6 each of the four titles encompasses a
complete years national curriculum studies and they are invaluable aids to a child’s
education. ADI and his alien pals are on hand throughout and, because of the number of
activities, games and tutorials, 2-cd’s are needed to hold everything. The first contains ADI’s room where he keeps many of his
treasured possessions. In here players can explore a variety of themed areas and learn
about the solar system and astronomy, endangered species, music, geography, art and many
other topics, all available from click-through hot spots. Children also have their own
room here, which can be customised and decorated to suit their taste but which also
contains places where they can draw and paint as well as keeping their secret diary. This
first CD also contains the online portions of the titles where ‘cyberclubs’ will
allow them to interact with other ADI users, exchanging ideas, jokes, stories, pictures
and make friends around the world from within a virtual environment. When it’s time to do some work ADI will whisk them off (via
a matter transporter) to one of his space stations where maths and English are the main
topics. These areas are split into revision, lesson, practice and knowledge exercises in
order to establish comprehension of the subject. Depending on what age group product you
are using dictates how the subject topic is formulated as, obviously, each one is geared
towards different levels of expertise and understanding but in every case the many aspects
are covered fully and in a fun way. Rewards for completing these exercises come in the form of points
that can be traded in order to play games. This idea alone provides a reason to do well at
the lessons and the mini-games are an entertaining break from learning. Collected points
can also be pooled in a kitty and combined with other players pooled points in order to
partake in some two-player activities. In fact this interaction with other ADI users is
heavily encouraged and players can ‘invite’ friends over to visit their room and
chat. The guest appears in the shape of the character profile that
users must complete right at the beginning. Physical characteristics as well as personal
likes and dislikes are all used to make each character profile virtually unique and, when
friends get together in this way they can create their own ‘dens’ by working
cooperatively as well as sharing personal information and playing games. Price: £19.99 on PC CD ROM.
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