Name of Software: Storybook Weaver
Publisher: Manly & Associates
Format: Diskette to Hard Drive
Reviewer: Josephine Mannino

Description of Program: This is a useful program for writing and
creativity purposes.  It allows students to create their own stories and
prepare them for sharing with others.  Storybook Weaver offers a variety
of different format and picture styles to enhance the student's
creativity.

What are the overall objectives of the software?
    The overall objectives of the software are to present writing as an
instrument of thought and learning across curriculums.  This program also
encourages creativity and writing with a purpose.  Students are encouraged
to share with an audience.  This program also encourages students to work
with a word processor.

Does the application give a general overview of the subject or are
specific skills targeted?
    If the user looks in the manual a general overview of the program is
provided, otherwise the user must use his or her computer knowledge to
follow instructions.  The specific skills targeted are enhancement of
writing and refining the writing process.

What do you, as a teacher, want to be able to do with the program? Are
these needs met by the program?
    The needs I have as a teacher are met by this program.  I would like to
use this program to both give students ideas in their writing process and
as a method of finalizing their stories and papers.  Knowing that they are
writing to an audience will enhance the outcome of the papers.

How flexible is the program? Does the user need to follow certain steps to
proceed or can the user move at his or her own pace?
    Storybook Weaver is a very flexible program.  At any point in the story
writing process the user can go back and change any part of it.  It is
very easy to navigate through.  The finds it easy to browse through menus
upon menus of pictures and backgrounds.  This program is designed to bring
out the creativity in customizing one's story.

Does the program have features that can be modified by the user? By the
teacher? If so, what features?
    This program includes features that can be modified by the
user/teacher.  The teacher or user can change or customize the program by
going to the file menu then preferences to change the font, make new
objects appear, and edit the page type and print format

What methods does the program utilize to reach multiple intelligences of
users?
    There are many options in this program, however there are not many to
reach multiple intelligences of users.  The use of visual cues is the only
option in this writing program.
This simple program only emphasizes the writing process and ways to
enhance the writing product.

What methods does the software use to engage the user, or keep the user's
interest? How successful are these methods?
    To engage the user, the program offers many visual options to enhance the
program.  These methods are somewhat successful.

What do you like about the application?
    I like both the visual options of this program and how it makes writing
more fun than just using pen and paper.  I like being able to skip steps
in writing sometimes and this program really allows you to get the shell
of a story down before filling in the details.

What do you dislike about the application?
    There are few things I dislike about the program, the one standout
complaint I have deals with the gender bias in the pictures (see below).

Was there a bias involving gender, race, etc.?
    There was a both a cultural and gender bias in the illustrations of this
program.  The pictures represent stereotypical pictures of people of
foreign cultures.  This aspect is not a big deal, as the description of
the program says students draw from the pictures of people in other
cultures to write.  However, there is a rather obvious gender bias.  All
of the pictures of girls and women are shown wearing dresses or
skirts.  There is not one picture of a woman in pants or shorts.  I find
this slightly strange since many girls and women do not wear dresses on a
regular basis.  Therefore, there is a great variety in this program, yet
not a wide enough selection.

Rate the following (1=best; 5=worst):
    Ease of use: 1
    Flexibility of Features: 1
    Ability of application:  1
    Interesting: 2
    Recommend: 1

Description of Program: This is a useful program for writing and
creativity purposes.  It allows students to create their own stories and
prepare them for sharing with others.  Storybook Weaver offers a variety
of different format and picture styles to enhance the student's
creativity.  This is a very engaging program, presenting writing as an
open-ended tool, encouraging the use of writing, reading, and illustrating
using folklore of many cultures to create their own stories and
storybooks.
 

Lesson Plan:

Grade: 6th Grade English
Time: 2 hours over 2 classes
Grouping: individual
Materials: one computer per student, Storybook Weaver Program

Description: Students will come to class with stories already outlined or
written.  They will be able to write their stories on Storybook Weaver and
at the same time illustrate the stories.  Once the story is completely
finished and edited on the second day, the students will print out their
story and share it with the class.
 
 
 

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