We had the opportunity to review Ooka Island which is a computer based learning program geared toward PreK thru 2nd Grade. You can view the official trailer HERE. We used it for Pre-K and my son LOVED it! I loved it too as it caused him to slow down and actually listen (something that is VERY difficult for him to do).
The graphics are amazing and the music is fun. Overall we really enjoyed using this program…and quite honestly I really do feel that ds3 learned from the time he spent. That is a great feeling – knowing they are actually learning (especially when they think of it as playing).
This is a picture of “the map”, it shows all the different play areas.
This is a picture of where the “student” is supposed to pop the bubble of the sound instructed.
This is the “cake factory”…as the cake comes down from the top, the “student” is told a sound. They have to click the letters that match the sound. If they get it right, it goes to the right. If they get it wrong, it goes to the left.
Here they hop up the hill alphabetically. Once they get as far as the computer wants, they get to ride a “skateboard” back down the hill. DS3 *loved* this. There are also ramps to do tricks.
One thing that is VERY IMPORTANT to mention is that this is a DOWNLOAD and is a little over 2 GIGS. It took over an hour to download onto my computer (and I have a pretty fast computer). Hopefully they will consider offering it on a CD in the near future.
Something else he didn’t really like is that he couldn’t pick and choose where he went, he HAD to follow where the robot went ~ and he has to work for 20 minutes straight. Once he finishes the 20-minutes, he is given an 8-minute “free time” to go wherever he would like (that he has progressed through). My son is three and 20 minutes is a long time for him to stay focused, but he did do it several times with this program. YAY!
Overall, we would give this a thumbs up. DS3 enjoyed playing it and I enjoyed watching him learn…he really seemed to learn quickly using this.
With regards to pricing: they have multiple options, I only have one child therefore it would be $12.95 per month, $59.95 for six months or $99.95 for one year. The other options are for up to four children and can be seen HERE. As is often the case, I feel the pricing is a bit high for just one child, however if you have several children, the pricing and use of the program, is much more justified. If you are interested in trying it – you can try it out for 14 days FREE!
They also sell actual books for Emergent, Beginning and Fluent Levels. You can see a sample of an Emergent level book, titled “The Little Puppy” by clicking HERE. Or THIS PAGE gives you samples of each leve.
For more information:
Ooka Island
3630 Woodbine Rd
Woodbine, MD 21797
877-307-3616
info@ookaisland.com
or Canada!
119 Kent St, Suite 155
Charlottetown, PE C1A 1N3
Have a wonderfully blessed day!
This product was reviewed as a part of the TOS Homeschool Crew…I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. Everything stated here is my own opinion. You can see the direct posting with the TOS Homeschool Crew and what my fellow crewmates thought by clicking HERE.
