Reviews of Dogs Don't Look Both Ways
Reviews of Easy Writer
Interactive Software
Tony Williams, Wida Software, IATEFL (International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) CALL Journal, July 2000
"This
(program) stands out for its ease of use and also its originality...The
author...has a clear view of the real language standards of real students
and the tasks are not pitched impossibly high...(A) program like this...throws
(students) a lifeline.
Read
the Full Review
The Ken Beare, ESL Guide, about.com.
"The process is appealing,
as it does not seem to be top-down...but rather a community of ESL learners
working toward improving their written communication skills...I highly
recommend this program not only as a tool to help students with
their writing skills, but also as a tool to develop their grammatical
prowess."
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about.com
Easy Writer and the Grammar HELP! Student Workbook:
Guide Rating -
This is an excellent package with the choice
to buy the handbook or the interactive CD, or both. While the package
is expensive, it is extremely effective and well worth the investment
for those who are serious about their ESL program. Easy Writer © has
been thoroughly well tested on-site in many ESL programs. I especially
recommend this program for ESL programs that include literacy components
in the curriculum."
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Connie Belanger, CONNECT, Canada's Resource Publication on Technology and Adult Literacy
"The program is very
easy to use, even for novice students. It follows the same format for
each level of the program, so once students have used it a few times,
they find it very easy to navigate through the program independently.
The content is adult oriented, with interesting and authentic stories
which provide good reading practice, as well as error identification
and correction practice."
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(Prices are not current and are in
Canadian Dollars)
Pamela Couch, Language, Learning and Technology, September 2000
"Easy
Writer is a useful tool for helping students
develop editing skills, which may ultimately improve the readability
and accuracy of their writing...Easy Writer
is one of the few ESL instructional tools based solely on student-produced
writing; this source of authentic language is often overlooked in ESL
materials (Bird & Reid, 1995). The use of genuine student writing
has a two-fold benefit: it provides real examples of errors in context,
and it may motivate students by allowing them to work on texts created
by other second language learners...Another strength of the program
is the use of guided feedback for levels II, III, and Expert, and the
amount of grammar support provided throughout. The explanations are
contextualized, as are all of the exercises, which is an effective method
to help the writer view grammar as a way to convey meaning rather than
as an isolated skill (Benander & Roach, 1995)...Easy
Writer provides clear, guided practice in
identifying and correcting the grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors
often found in ESL/EFL writing."
TEACHERS
"(T)his is a very good editing program using error analysis in reading passages that were written by students like yourselves. The topics are interesting and reflect a diverse array of cultures and backgrounds so you will surely enjoy the time you spend with Easy Writer."
San Jose Community College
"I commend the authors and editors on putting together such a good collection of basic skill builders in grammar and punctuation. This type of drill is what is needed and often avoided in classes."
"The author has captured the concept spoken of so frequently in the Fluency First approach in addressing mistakes in accuracy; students need to begin to recognize their mistakes, be able to explain them and then make corrections, and this is more effective if the corrections are made first to systematic errors."
"This program is very popular with the students."
TEACHERS
"(T)his is a very good editing program using error analysis in reading passages that were written by students like yourselves. The topics are interesting and reflect a diverse array of cultures and backgrounds so you will surely enjoy the time you spend with Easy Writer."
Brunilda Peña-Febre, Northampton Community College, Adult Literacy and Workforce Development Program, May, 2005
"Easy Writer
software is an ideal program for students and teachers alike. Learners
are highly motivated because it is a self directed program reinforcing
grammar skills. It assumes the learners' responsibility for learning,
involving group participation as well as self assessment.
A teacher who prefers to take on the role as a facilitator and partner
in the teaching-learning exchange will find the software ideal because
it supports this type of learning process."
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STUDENTS
"It's a very interesting and helpful program
for ESL students and even for English-speaking students...
"Thank
you for giving us the opportunity to learn from this software."
"It's fun!I bought one for my grandmother!"
"The
students love it!"