boost help

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BOOST Help Document v20080507

HELP!

TABLE OF CONTENTSHelp on help! How do I use this document? 2

Introduction 2

Quick Start Guide 3

Detailed Guide 6

Getting to Know the BOOST Interface 6

Information About Users 7

Overview of the Main Screens 7

Start-up Screen 8

Reward Selection Screen 10

Module Selection Screen 14

User Progress Screen 15

Parent Options Screen 15

Glossary 19

Appendices 22

Appendix A Minimum System Requirements 22

Appendix B How BOOST Works 22

Appendix C Expanding BOOST 22

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HELP ON HELP!HOW DO I USE THIS DOCUMENT?This help document is divided into four sections: anIntroduction, a Quick Start Guide, a DetailedGuide and a Glossary.

TheIntroductionexplains what BOOST is and how it works.

TheQuick Start Guide gives you simple, step-by-step instructions to install BOOST and getit up-and-running as quickly as possible.

TheDetailed Guidegives more thorough information on using BOOST.

TheGlossary provides easy-to-understand definitions of words used in this document.

The Appendices at the end of this document provide information on the minimum systemrequirements and the expansion of BOOST.

This document is hyperlinked for your convenience. Click the hyperlinks to view the appropriatesection.

NOTE: This help document may contain graphics and information not specific to your version ofBOOST. These differences are minor, and should not affect your use of BOOST.

Back to the Table of Contents

INTRODUCTIONBOOST is a fun, interactive and flexible educational program that motivates your child to learn byrewarding their achievements.

BOOST uses two reward types: Reward Games and Parent Rewards. Reward Games are built-ininteractive computer games. A Parent Reward is any reward that you negotiate and set with your

child, for example, a trip to the zoo. Both Reward Games and Parent Rewards can be earned bycorrectly answering a set number of questions in the BOOST software. The workbook and softwarealso work together. While your child answers questions in the workbook, they can use their answersto write down a code that will unlock play time with one of the Reward Games!

BOOST is flexible, keeping you up to date with yourchilds learning by offering new content. This gives yourchild a wider choice of learning material, and allows youto better address your childs learning needs. SeeAppendix C Expanding BOOSTfor more information.

Module Selection Screen

The Module Selection Screen (see the image to the right)shows which packages of learning content (known as

Interactive Modules) you own. Click an Interactive Modulethat you dont own yet to view purchasing options.


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QUICK START GUIDEThe Quick Start Guide consists of eight simple steps, and will get you up-and-running with BOOSTas quickly as possible. For more detailed information on any features of BOOST, see theDetailedGuide.

1 Install BOOST.

WINDOWS MACINTOSH

A Insert the BOOST CD into your CD-ROM drive.

B If the BOOST installer does notrun automatically:

I Click Start, then Run.

II Click Browse and navigate to the CD drivewhere the BOOST CD is located.

III Find the installation file.

IV Click Open, then click OK.

C Follow the directions of the BOOST installer.

A Insert the BOOST CD into your CD-ROM drive.

B Double-click the BOOSTCD icon when it appears onthe Desktop.

C Double-click the installer icon.

D Follow the directions of the BOOST installer.

2 Run BOOST.

WINDOWS MACINTOSH

- Double-click the BOOST icon on the Desktop; or

- Click the Startmenu, then open the Programs menu (or

All Programs menu for Windows XP and Vista).

Run BOOST.

- Double-click the BOOST icon on the Desktop; or

- Open theApplications folder by selecting Finder,

opening the Go menu and selectingApplications.

Run BOOST.

Note that by default, the BOOST installer places an iconon the Desktop. If the BOOST icon is not on the Desktop,run BOOST from theApplications folder.

3 Create a new user.

Start-u Screen

3A

A Click the create button.

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B Enter a name for the user.

C Choose an avatar by clicking the arrows. An avatar isa small picture used to represent a player.

D Click the ok button.

4 Login as the userby clicking the login button.

5 Select either a Reward Game or the Parent Reward.A If you want to earn a Reward Game, select aReward Game by clicking the arrows.

B Click the earn reward button next to theReward Game or Parent Reward. Note that aParent Reward must be set for the current

user in order for it to be earned.

3B

Start-up Screen

Start-up Screen

3C

3D

4

5A

Reward Selection Screen

5B

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6 Select an Interactive Moduleby clicking it.


7 Answer the questions.

Question Screen

8Click the use reward button after you have answered the agreed number of questions. If you

chose to play a Reward Game, the game will load immediately. If you chose the Parent Reward,you will be shown a certificate that you can save and/or print.

8


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DETAILED GUIDEThe Detailed Guide contains the following sections:

Getting to Know the BOOST Interface

Information About Users

Overview of the Main Screens

Start-up Screen



User Progress Screen

Parent Options Screen

Getting to Know the BOOST InterfaceThe BOOST interface is extremely easy to use. There are two buttons at the upper right-handcorner of each main screen: the quit button, which is red with a capital X, and, thehelp button,which is yellow with a white question-mark.

312


1 On some screens, you can click the buttonlocated toward the upper left-hand corner togo back to a previous screen.

2 Click the help button to display thisdocument within BOOST. Visit the BOOSTwebsite (http://www.boostseries.com/) foradditional, up-to-date information.

3 Click the quit button to quit BOOST. Adialog box will appear, asking you to confirmyour choice.


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Information About UsersBOOST records meaningful information about your childs learning progress. This provides you witha clear, easy-to-understand summary and motivates your child with certificates of their achievement.

In order for BOOST to record this information, you must create a user for each person who uses thesoftware. BOOST keeps track of up to five users.

The User Progress Screen provides this information, which you can access by clicking theprogress button on the Start-up Screen.


Overview of the Main ScreensBOOST has several screens: the Start-up Screen, the Parent Options Screen, the User ProgressScreen, the Reward Selection Screen, the Module Selection Screen and the Question Screen. Youcan see the flow of these screens in the image below.

Reward SelectionScreen

Question Screen

Start-up Screen Parent Options


Module SelectionScreen

The Start-up Screen is displayed when BOOST loads. From theStart-up Screen, you can view:

theParent Options Screen for each user, by clicking the parent button. This screen allows

you to change the users settings.

theUser Progress Screen for each user, by clicking the progress button. This providesinformation on your childs progress in each Interactive Module, including the percentagecompleted and the questions attempted.

theReward Selection Screen, by clicking the login button. Your child selects which rewardthey will earn, then chooses the content from theModule Selection Screen.Questions fromthe Interactive Module are presented and answered on the Question Screen.


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Start-up ScreenAs soon as BOOST loads, the Start-up Screen is displayed. From here, you can:

1 Create a new user

2 Login as an existing user

3 View a users progress

4 Change the Parent Options for a user

1Create a New User

A Click the create button to create a new user. There must be at least one free space

available in order to create a new user. A free spacewill have a question-mark avatar and abutton labelled create. An avatar is a small picture used to represent a player.

B Enter a name.

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Start-up Screen

1

3 4

Note: Click here for BOOST creditsand extra information.

A question-mark avatar and acreate button.

1A

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C Select an avatar by clicking the upand down arrows.

BOOST allows you to personalise yourexperience by using your own pictures asavatars if you do not wish to use one of theavatars provided! For example, you could use aphoto of your child as their avatar so they knowexactly which user account is theirs! Click theload picture button to navigate through yourcomputer and select a picture.

Click the load picture buttonto use your own picture as

an avatar. 1B1C

Pictures must be in either the PNG format (whichhas a file extension of.png) or the JPEG format (which has a file extension of.jpgor.jpeg).

2Login as an Existing User

Click the login button to the right of the user. From here, you can select either the ParentReward or one of the Reward Gamesfrom the Reward Selection Screen.

Click here for more information about selecting a reward.

3Change the Parent Options

The Parent Options Screen manages user settings, such as username, avatar, Reward Gameoptions and Parent Reward options. You can view the Parent Options Screen by clicking theparent button.

Click here for more information on changing user settings.

4View a Users Progress

The User Progress Screen displays information on your childs learning progress. The UserProgress Screen can be viewed from theStart-up Screenandthe Reward Selection Screen.

A To view the User Progress Screen from the Start-up Screen, click the progress button.

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B To view the User Progress Screen from the Reward Selection Screen, click the viewprogress button.

.


Start-up Screen

4A

4B


Click here for more information about viewing a users progress.


Reward Selection ScreenBOOST works by rewarding your child for their learning afterthey complete a set number ofquestions. The Reward Selection Screenis where your child chooses the reward they want to earn.They can either choose one of the interactive Reward Games or the Parent Reward that you havenegotiated and set with them.

Reward Games are built-in interactive computer games. A Parent Rewards is any reward that younegotiate and set with your child, for example, a trip to the zoo. You can change Reward Gameoptions and Parent Reward options for each user on theParent Options Screen.

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To earn either type of reward, your child must answer a set number of questions, known as thequestion target. BOOST remembers how many questions have been answered correctly andincorrectly for each reward. This gives your child:

the flexibility to learn at their own pace, maybe over several learning sessions.

an indication of how close they are to earning their reward.

the choice to use the reward now or save it for later.

From the Reward Selection Screen you can do the following tasks:

1 Go back to the Start-up Screen.

2 View the current users progress.

3 Select a Reward Game.

4 View the high scores for a Reward Game.

5Earn a Reward Game with the software!

6Play a Reward Game earned with the workbook!

7Earn the Parent Reward!

BOOST is flexible in the way Reward Gamescan be earned. You can make use of either theinteractive software, the written workbook, or both.

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6

5

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1Go back to the Start-up Screen by clicking the change user button.

2View the current users progress by clicking the view progress button.

3Select a Reward Game by clicking the up and down arrows.

Each BOOST subject set comes with several Reward Games. Click the How to Play button ineach of the Reward Games for instructions on how to play.

4View the high scores for a Reward Game by clicking the high scores button.

Note that some games, like Extreme Fashion and Extreme Superheroes, do not have high scores.

5Earn a Reward Game with the software by selecting the Reward Game, then clicking the earnreward button.

This will take you to the Module Selection Screen, where the Interactive Module is chosen. TheReward Game can be played once all the questions presented in the Question Screen areanswered.

If a Reward Game has already been earned, the use reward button replaces the earn rewardbutton. This also applies to Parent Rewards.

6Play a Reward Game earned with the workbook.To earn a Reward Game with the workbook,you must answer questions within the workbook to find areward code. A reward code is a series of

letters or digits that can be used to unlock play time for a Reward Game. There is one reward codein every unit of every workbook. Once you have a complete reward code, run BOOST and select aReward Game. Click the enter code button.

On the screen that appears, simply enter the reward code and start playing! A reward codecan beused to play any of the Reward Games, but each user can only use each reward codeonce.

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A Using your keyboard, enter a reward code from your workbook.

B If you make a mistake, click the clear button to erase the entire code.

C Once you have entered the reward code, click the enter button to play the Reward Game

D If you want to close the reward code screen, click the close button.

If you havent yet used the reward code and are still unableto play the Reward Game, you may have entered anincorrect code. Check your answers in the workbook and tryagain.

6D

6A 6C6B

7Earn the Parent Reward by clicking the earn reward button next to the Parent Reward.

7A 7B

When your child has completed the question target for theParent Reward, a certificate of achievement will be displayed.

A To save the certificate in PDF format, click the discicon.

B Click the printer icon to print the PDF.

If a Parent Reward has already been earned, the use reward

button replaces the earn reward button. This also applies toReward Games.


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Module Selection ScreenThe Module Selection Screen is where you choose an Interactive Module. An Interactive Module isa package of learning-content for a particular age level. Each BOOST workbook comes with anInteractive Module on CD, which reinforces the material from the workbook with a series of extraquestions! Just as there are three workbooks per age level, there are also three Interactive Modulesper age level (see Appendix C for information on expanding BOOST).

In order to earn a Reward Game or the Parent Reward from within the BOOST software, your childmust answer a set number of questions from one of the installed Interactive Modules. This setnumber of questions is known as thequestion targetand can be changed from theParentOptions Screen.

1 The reward that is to be earned is shown at the top of the screen.

2 The progress bar indicates the progress towards earning the reward.

3 A coloured background behind an Interactive Module indicates that it was the last InteractiveModule with which the current user has worked.

4 Hover the cursor over an Interactive Module to view a description, including the age for which it isdesigned and the skills it develops.

5 Select an available Interactive Module by clicking it.

6 View the purchasing options for an unavailable Interactive Module by clicking it.

1 2


3 6

5

4


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User Progress ScreenBOOST records information to provide you with a clear, easy-to-understand summary of your childslearning progress and to motivate your child by showing them certificates of their achievement.

1 The current Interactive Module. Click the up and down arrows to view your childs progress ineach Interactive Module.

2 The list of questions attempted from the current Interactive Module. A red cross means that thequestion was answered incorrectly. A green tick means that the question was answeredcorrectly.

Click a question to display it. BOOST allows you to interact with the displayed question, but will nottell you whether or not your answer is correct.

3The total progress through the Interactive Module.

4The number of correct and incorrect answers so far.

5 If your child has completed an entire Interactive Module, the view certificate button displays acertificate of completion. This document can be saved or printed to keep a record of your childsprogress.


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5

1


Parent Options ScreenThe Parent Options Screen allows you to change user settings, such as the users name andavatar. Because different children may be at different levels of development, optionsare setindividually for each user.

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From the Start-up Screen, click the parent button to view the Parent Options Screen.

Parent Reward Options

Reward Game Options

General Options


General Options

2

1

3

1 To change the users name, click the name, delete the current text then enter the new text.

2 To change the avatar, use the same process described under1Create a new userin the Start-upScreen section.

3 To delete a user, click the delete user button.

This will open a dialog box confirming your choice to delete the user. Note that when you delete auser, their recorded high scores in Reward Games are also deleted.

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Reward Game O pt ionsBOOST can be tailored to your childs individual learning needs via thework/play ratio. Thework/play ratio is the amount of questions your child has to answer, and the length of time they canplay the Reward Game once they have answered the questions. In other words, the work/play ratiois the relationship between the question targetandplay time.

The question target is the number of questions that your child must answer correctly to earn areward. Play time is the length of time that your child can play a Reward Game after reaching thequestion target.

1

3

2

1 Click the arrows to increase or decrease thequestion target.

Only correctanswers count towards reaching the question target. This means that BOOST willcontinue to ask questions indefinitely until the number of correct answers is the same as thequestion target.

BOOST remembers how many questions were answered correctly and incorrectly. This informationis used to provide the summary shown on theUser Progress Screen, and also allows your child toearn rewards over several learning sessions.

The question target is set to 8 by default, with a minimum value of 5 and a maximum value of 99.

2 Click the arrows to increase or decreaseplay time.

Play time is set to 1 minute and 30 seconds by default with a minimum time of 1 minute and amaximum time of 3 minutes.

3 Check the bonus time option to enable bonus time.

Bonus time is time that can be added to, or subtracted from, play time. Bonus time impacts playtimeaccording to the number of questions answered correctly and incorrectly. If there are0incorrect answers, a bonus of 30 seconds applies. If there arethe same or fewerincorrect answers

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than correct answers, no bonus applies. If there aremore incorrect answers than correct answers, apenalty of 30 seconds applies.

For example, if the question targetis 8 andplay time is 1 minute and 30 seconds:

CORRECT INCORRECT BONUS TIME TOTAL TIME

8 0 30 seconds 2 minutes

8 between 1 and 8 inclusive 0 seconds 1 minute 30 seconds

8 9 or more. -30 seconds 1 minute

BOOST remembers correct andincorrect answers. This means that if you quit BOOST beforeearning the Reward Game, bonuses and penalties still apply when you return.

Parent Reward OptionsA Parent Rewardis any reward that you negotiated and set with your child. It can be anything youlike, for example, a trip to the zoo.

1

3

4

2

1 Set the Parent Reward by typing a description of it in the text box.

2 Click the arrows to select the icon that goes with your reward. This will help your child knowat aglance what the reward is.

3 Like Reward Games, a question targetcan also be set for the Parent Reward. The question target

is the number of questions your child must answer correctly to receive the Parent Rewardcertificate. Click the arrows to increase or decrease the question target.

For Parent Rewards, the question target is set to 20 by default with a minimum value of 10 and amaximum value of 99.

4 Check the clear reward after useoption if you want to clear the Parent Reward after it has beenused. This allows you to set a new Parent Reward once your child uses the current one.


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GLOSSARYAvatar

An avatar is a small picture that is used to represent a user within BOOST.

Bonus Time

Bonus time is time that can be added to, or subtracted from, play time. Bonus time can be enabledor disabled on the Parent Options Screen for each user.

Help Button

The help button is located in the upper right-hand corner of main screens, and displays this helpdocument within the BOOST software.

Interactive Module

An Interactive Module is a package of learning-content for a particular age level. Each BOOSTworkbook comes with an Interactive Module on CD, which reinforces the material from the workbookwith a series of extra questions! There are three BOOST workbooks (and Interactive Modules) perage level.

Learning Mode

Learning mode refers to the three ways in which BOOST can be used: with the workbook, with thesoftware or with a combination of both.

Module Selection ScreenThe Module Selection Screen is the screen in which an Interactive Module is selected.


The Parent Options Screen allow you to change user settings, including general options, RewardGame options and Parent Reward options.

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Parent Reward

A Parent Rewardis any reward that you negotiated and set with your child. It can be anything youlike, for example, a trip to the zoo. The Parent Reward can be set for each child from theParentOptions Screen.

Play Time

Play time is the length of time that your child can play a Reward Game after reaching the questiontarget. Play time can be increased or decreased from theParent Options Screen.

Question Screen

The Question Screen is where questions from Interactive Modules are displayed and answered.

Question Target

The question target is the number of questions that your child must answer correctly to earn areward. There are two question targets: one for Reward Games and one for the Parent Reward.

Quit ButtonThe quit button is located in the upper right-hand corner of main screens, and allows you to exit theBOOST software.

Reward Code

A reward code is a series of letters or digits that can be used to unlock play time for a RewardGame. You can find one reward code in every unit of every workbook. You can enter reward codesfrom the Reward Selection Screen.

Reward Game

A Reward Game is a built-in interactive computer game that your child can play after answering aset number of questions (known as thequestion target) from an Interactive Module. Reward Gamesare chosen on the Reward Selection Screen.


The Reward Selection Screenis where your child chooses the reward they want to earn. They caneither choose one of the interactive Reward Games or the Parent Rewardthat you have negotiatedand set with them.

SoftwareSoftware refers to the interactive computer program that is a part of BOOST.

Start-up Screen

The Start-up Screen is the first screen that is displayed once the BOOST software loads.

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User

A user is the combination of a name and avatar representing someone who uses the BOOSTsoftware.


The User Progress Screen provides a clear, easy-to-understand summary of your childs learningprogress.

Work/Play Ratio

The work/play ratio is the amount of questions your child has to answer, and the length of time theycan play the Reward Game once they have answered the questions. In other words, the work/playratio is the relationship between thequestion targetandplay time.

Workbook

The BOOSTworkbookrefers to the printed-material part of BOOST.


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APPENDICESAppendix A M inimum System Requirements

OPERATING SYSTEM CPUSPEED RAM

Windows 2000/XP/Vista 500Mhz or faster 128MB or higher

MacintoshOSX/10.2.6+/10.3+/10.4+

500Mhz or faster 128MB or higher


Appendix B How BOOST Wo rksBOOST is made up of three components:

The BOOST Software manages users, Interactive Modules, Parent Rewards and RewardGames.

An Interactive Module is a package of learning content for a particular age level. There arethree Interactive Modules for each age level. BOOST keeps you up-to-date with your childslearning by offering new Interactive Modules as your child develops!

A Reward Game is a built-in interactive computer game that your child can play afteranswering questions from an Interactive Module.


Appendix C Expanding BOOSTBOOST is an expandable educational program. New material comes in the form of InteractiveModules, which are packages of learning-content for a particular age level. There are three BOOSTworkbooks per age level, each one containing an Interactive Module on the bundled CD. InteractiveModules reinforce the material from the workbook with a series of extra questions!

To install a new Interactive Module, simply run the installer (instructions on running the installer canbe found in the Quick Start Guide). The new Interactive Module will be added to the installation. Ifthe CD contains a more recent version of the BOOST software, your copy of the BOOST softwarewill also be updated.


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