Here is quick insight into what I think of the Nintendo DS.

 

 

My Word Coach- This game is brilliant for learning spelling and developing vocabulary. It is very cleverly designed. It adapts to the individual learner therefore setting a learning pace. If you make lots of mistakes, it will challenge you with an easier level and vice-versa. Last night I showed this game to a very fluent colleague of mine. I imagine that tonight's challenge will be quite hard! The only thing I dislike about it is the fact that each round of words is timed. Timing is fine in exam conditions, but in an exam you are not actively learning. The time/pressure factor is something that I think can stall learning- but I guess that is one of the basics of game playing.

• Potential-First impression is that these machines will have more potential in the primary sector and probably more of an impact on boys than girls.
• Interactivity- You are actually writing. I found this similar to writing on an interactive white board. You are using hand/eye coordination, not just moving a joy-stick and clicking.
• Communication-They can connect to other DS machines allowing users to communicate and play each other's games.
• Size-They are compact- anytime anywhere learning.

Twenty years ago I learned my times-tables using a game called Table worms. This was on a BBC computer, in a classroom and it would take about five minutes to warm up. Twenty years on I can individualise my practise of spelling and vocabulary anytime, anywhere and from a hand set!