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Cambridge-Hitachi is a joint venture between Cambridge University Press and Hitachi Software Engineering dedicated to innovation in E-learning. |
Perfect TimesWendy Fortescue–Hubbard
Frequently Asked QuestionsDo I need to install Perfect Times? What's the password for the administration area? I changed the default password, but I can't remember what to! Can I use Perfect Times across a network? Can I use Perfect Times on a Mac? Can I use Perfect Times on an interactive whiteboard? What age group is Perfect Times suitable for? How does Perfect Times develop fluency of multiplication tables and division tables? My pupils don't have English as a first language. How will Perfect Times support them? Has Perfect Times been trialled? How does Perfect Times fit in with the NNS? What are the learning objectives? Can Perfect Times be used by pupils with disabilities? I am using Flash Player 8, and find that some elements of the product are not working Does this software run on an RM CC3 network? Is Perfect Times Windows Vista compatible? Do I need to install Perfect Times?We recommend that you install Perfect Times. In most cases the CD should auto run when it is inserted into the drive then simply follow the on-screen instructions. If you would like to play the games without installing the software, run 'Perfect Times.exe' (PC) or 'PTimes' (Mac) directly from the CD. Please note that you will not be able to access the administration part of Perfect Times unless you install the software. What's the password for the administration area?The default password is 'PERFECT' I changed the default password, but I can't remember what to!In the event you lose your administration password, copy 'Resources/Data/admin.txt' from the original CD over the corresponding file 'admin.txt' in the installed product. This will manually reset the password to 'PERFECT'. Can I use Perfect Times across a network?Yes. Simply install or move the installed files to a location on the network to which other users have access. Do I need a network licence?No. The Cambridge-Hitachi 'one price solution' means that the single user, site and network licence is included in the published price. Can I use Perfect Times on a Mac?Yes, Perfect Times is compatible with both PC and Mac. Can I use Perfect Times on an interactive whiteboard?Yes, Perfect Times can also be used on an interactive whiteboard and has been done successfully not only in class but also at adult workshops, BBC Tomorrows World Roadshow and in the Shopping Mall at Cribb's Causeway in Birmingham. What age group is Perfect Times suitable for?Multiplication and division tables are traditionally learnt by primary-school pupils. However, many secondary-school pupils need to attain fluency, as do a number of adults. The format is designed so older children and adults can use the program as well as younger children. The game layout and design is not age dependent having been played by 4 to 84 year olds. How does Perfect Times develop fluency of multiplication tables and division tables?
What does 'fluency' mean?Perfect Times provides a standardised quantitative measure of fluency. As players become more fluent their time score decreases. Players attain fluency when they consistently achieve a time score of less than 20 seconds. Players generally achieve a time score of between 20 and 40 seconds within a few rounds, but are not fluent. However, the subtly of the scoring means that players who are not quite fast enough to be fluent are not embarrassed by their score. The time score acts as a motivating catch. Initially players see their scores get much faster, often halving in the first couple of rounds. They get hooked on beating 20 seconds. The only way to do that, of course, is to recall fluently the multiplication/division table required. Through a time score, Perfect Times offers a standardised form of assessment. My pupils don't have English as a first language. How will Perfect Times support them?The game itself is language independent so it can be played if your first language isn't English. Perfect Times is independent of writing ability or competence in a particular language. Many pupils do not like writing out sums repetitively -it's boring and writers' cramp is painful. Other pupils, who may have difficulty in a particular language struggle with the language - not the number bonds. Has Perfect Times been trialled?A prototype of this version of Perfect Times was taken on tour with the Tomorrow's World roadshow and was used by hundreds of people over the four weeks. It was also taken to education conferences: BCME, ATM. MA and Adult Learning Mathematics, an International Research Forum. The RAF took Perfect Times to schools with the RAF Maths Challenge, which involved over 5000 Years 10 and 11 pupils. How does Perfect Times fit in with the NNS?Years 2 & 3
Years 4, 5 and 6
Year 7, 8 and 9
What are the learning objectives?
Can Perfect Times be used by pupils with disabilities?The games are not reliant on sound so are ideal for deaf pupils. The colour of the cards can be changed which is useful for someone who might be colour-blind who has been diagnosed as having Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome. Perfect Times has been used successfully with dyslexic pupils. I am using Flash Player 8, and find that some elements of the product are not workingIf you are using Flash Player 8, you may find that its enhanced security settings stop some elements of your Cambridge-Hitachi product from working. For example, buttons may appear to do nothing when you click on them. This is because Flash Player 8's security settings will only allow trusted content to play. There is a quick and easy way to set up Flash Player 8 always to trust content from Cambridge-Hitachi:
Your Cambridge-Hitachi products should now work correctly. To check if you have Flash Player 8 installed, right-click in a product that uses Flash. You will see a menu with "About Macromedia Flash Player X..." at the bottom. This will tell you which version of Flash you are using. Does this software run on an RM CC3 network?MSIs for easy deployment on your RM CC3 network (or Windows server 2000/2003 network) are now available. If you are an existing customer and you wish to obtain an MSI for Perfect Times, please email a request to techsupport@cambridge-hitachi.com with your personal/institutional information, postal address and invoice number. Download instructions on how to install MSIs on an RM network. (PDF) For further information, please contact technical support at techsupport@cambridge-hitachi.com Is Perfect Times Windows Vista compatible?Windows Vista compatibility is not guaranteed for Perfect Times. |
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