For the audio version:
Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Windows NT 4.0
Computer with a 20 MHz 386 processor or better
Sound card
Headphones or speakers No hard drive space required if run from CD, 81 MB if installed
No printer required
Distributed on CD-ROM
For the Non-audio version:
Windows 3.1, Windows 95, or Windows NT 4.0
Computer with a 20 MHz 386 processor or better
10 MB hard drive space
No printer required
Distributed on four 1.44 MB 3.5" diskettes
The 106 quizzes cover the declension and conjugation classes normally presented in first- and second-year textbooks. They use everyday vocabulary in short, realistic sentences or dialogues. The material for these quizzes comes from various grammar exercises in the Beginning Russian textbook (Slavica Publishers, 1991). This software can be used with Beginning Russian, but it can also be used by a learner studying alone or by anyone who needs a thorough review of Russian endings. Each quiz includes an explanation of the grammatical point illustrated.
When a user opens a quiz, the program displays a sentence or short dialogue with blanks. The user types in the endings, and the program evaluates the response. If some of the letters are incorrect, the program gives the user up to four chances to correct the response. The user never retypes the correct part of the response.
While working on the questions, the user may request to see the correct answer at any time. He or she can also change various options, such as the number of tries allowed for each question before the computer "gives up," the order of the questions (random or sequential), the size of the screen font, the Russian keyboard layout, etc. Three keyboard layouts are included: AATSEEL Standard, AATSEEL Student, and Soviet. A keyboard layout may be displayed on the screen as the user works on the exercise.
The program allows instructors to keep an optional log of students' work. This log is a database that can be sorted, edited, and printed using many Microsoft Windows database programs. The records in the database contain students' names, the name of each exercise that was done, the time and date when the work was started, how long it took, and the average score. Students may also elect to "practice" anonymously. This information can help an instructor understand students' learning strategies, and discover where additional help is needed.
There are two versions of the program: one with audio, one without. The audio version allows the user to hear a high quality recording of each question. The recording can be played any number of times. Students with good auditory memory find this very useful. Students read, write, hear, and analyze simultaneously, an added benefit of technology.
The program is very easy to use: there are no keyboard commands to memorize, and the screen layout is functional and attractive.