Re: Need Apple 2e software

["Steven F. Eisenberg" <stevee@locke.ccil.org>]

bobwians@HiWAAY.net writes:
 
 >I am looking for educational software for an old Apple 2e that only
 >has a 5 1/4" floppy drive.  It is for a kindergarten class that
 >currently has only one disk called KINDER KONCEPTS.  If you know of
 >anyone who may have some software for sale or to donate, please give
 >them my e-mail address.  Thank you.
 
There is an enormous amount of commercial educational software on 5
1/14 inch Apple II floppy disks still available in the U.S., much of
which is still supported by the publisher.  A publisher with a good
catalog and whose software has excellent documentation geared towards
creating teacher lesson plans is Sunburst (800-431-1934).
 
The most extensive multi-publisher Apple II software catalog I know of
is that of National School Products, 101 East Broadway, Maryville, TN
37801-2498 (800-627-9393).  If all you want is software for one child
on a computer in the back of the room to play with under minimal
teacher guidance, I guess that this is the place to call.
 
Your posts raises two concerns in my mind which probably go beyond what
you are able to deal with at this time.  But to give you some direction
for the longer term, or, if not, for the record:
 
First, I doubt that any meaningful educational goal can be achieved
with just one computer in a classroom.  A big advantage of using older
computers such as the Apple II should be that you can buy a computer
for every student.  This is often achived by having a single "computer
lab" classroom which each class visits at set times.
 
Second, without a realistic computer educational philosophy and a
teacher who believes in that philosophy, computers are unlikely to
achieve any defensible educational goal and will be more trouble than
they are worth.  And, by the way, without a cogent computer educational
philosophy, you will be unable to answer those parents who think that
their child is being shortchanged by working with an old computer.  The
product that embodies the philosophy I like best, for this age group,
is Kinderlogo running under Terrapin Logo.  However, despite good
teacher-oriented documentation, Kinderlogo demands a lot of the
instructor.  If you are interested in checking out the Logo world,
contact Terrapin Software, 400 Riverside Street, Portland, ME 04103
(800-972-8200).
 
Steve Eisenberg     Pennsylvania, U.S.A.     e@prc.org
 
P.S.  Re buying used software:  Most of the early childhood education
titles offered from time to time over on comp.sys.apple2.marketplace
are oriented towards parent purchasers rather than the needs of
teachers.  But if that is acceptable to you, just make sure you get the
paper documentation--without it you are subjecting the teacher to cruel
and unusual punishment :).