Test Drive: GeoSafari Phonics Pad

By David McQuin -- School Library Journal, 2/1/2004

GeoSafari Phonics Pad by Educational Insights, Inc. 18730 S. Wilmington Avenue, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220. 800-995-4436 www.educationalinsights.com. $149.99.

The GeoSafari Phonics Pad by Educational Insights is an interactive learning tool designed to help K–3 students master those critical early reading skills. Starting with sound and letter identification and progressing to advanced concepts such as consonant blend and vowel diagraph recognition, the Phonics Pad provides beginning readers with independent practice in an appealing format.

Children begin using the Phonics Pad by inserting one of the 128 lesson cards, which cover sequential skills in reading readiness, phonics, and beginning reading. Friendly characters on the colorfully illustrated lesson cards introduce letters, letter sounds, words, and other skills in three interactive modes: Learn, Explore, and Quiz. In the Learn mode, the Phonics Pad provides a context of audio instruction for the lesson. In Explore, children press the touch-sensitive card surface to learn and practice a specific skill. Finally, students demonstrate their mastery of the skill in the Quiz mode.

Pressing the repeat button allows instructions, prompts, or explanations to be heard again. The three interaction modes provide independent, self-paced instruction and practice along with appropriate feedback. The teacher-friendly school edition also includes a set of reproducible skill sheets that aid in recording and evaluating students' progress.

The Phonics Pad's sequence of lessons, from readiness skills through consonant and vowel sounds to beginning word recognition, will fit well with most classroom reading programs.

The Phonics Pad is portable, operating on four "C" batteries, or an AC power adapter, which may be purchased separately. There is also a standard ¼-inch headphone jack, which enables students to use the Phonics Pad without disturbing others.

The GeoSafari Phonics Pad is a great learning tool; I highly recommend it. At $149, the Phonics Pad may be a perfect purchase by a parent organization for the media center or classroom. It's also useful for latchkey programs, special education classrooms, public libraries, and day care providers.