The Abacus Project 
School Edition Demo
Published by C3 Media, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2005 C3 Media, Inc.
All rights reserved



System Requirements
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PC/Windows:

- 166 MHz processor (or better)
- Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4, 2000 or XP
- 32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended)
- 640 x 480 resolution display with 16-bit color (or better)
- 53 MB available hard-disk space
- DirectX version 3 or better
- Windows-compatible sound card (if sound is desired)


Macintosh:

- Power Mac with 133 MHz processor (or better)
- Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, 10.2.x or up
- 64 MB free RAM
- 640 x 480 resolution display with thousands of colors (or better)
- 53 MB available hard-disk space


Documentation
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For game-play instructions, start the program and click the question-mark icon in the upper-right corner of the screen to open Help.

Full Home and School editions of The Abacus Project include a Solution Key for the Arcade Play module. 

School editions of The Abacus Project include a Teacher Resource Guide. The guide includes learning outcomes and suggested teaching strategies. 


Troubleshooting
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+++ Error Messages +++

1. "Maximum destination-folder name length exceeded (too many characters)"

During installation, you have the choice of installing the Abacus Project Demo in a default location on your hard drive OR in a folder of your choice.

If you choose to install the program in a folder other than the default folder, you must ensure that the total length of the destination-folder name (including the names of sub-folders) does not exceed 60 characters.


Introduction
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The Abacus Project is an interactive mathematics program for students in grades 2 to 4. However, people of all ages will find it engaging and challenging.

The program is made up of three modules:


1) Puzzle Play
In this module, students solve a series of mathematics puzzles. The puzzles challenge and build students' skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

The puzzles also test and build students' knowledge of:
- place value
- fluid measurements
- sequencing
- ratios
- fractions
- shape, transformations and space
- patterns and relations
- data analysis and probability

When students solve puzzles correctly, they are congratulated by Abacus, their PDA-like guide. If students have trouble solving puzzles, Abacus offers helpful hints.

Teachers can adjust the puzzle difficulty level for a whole class or for individual students.

Along the way, students receive Participation, Speed and Expert awards for solving puzzles. 


2) Arcade Play
In this module, students engage in an arcade game interspersed with the mathematics puzzles from Puzzle Play.

Students take on the role of a child named Kim. On the way home from school, Kim falls into a mysterious underground laboratory. With help from the sometimes-forgetful Abacus, Kim must find a way out of the lab.

Along the way, Kim must pass through a series of locked security doors. To open a door, students must solve a math puzzle.

Strange forces are on the loose in the lab. Kim must navigate safely past hostile blobs, flying critters, blasts of steam and many other obstacles.


3) Flash Cards
In this module, students race against time to solve a series of addition, subtraction, multiplication or division problems.

Students can choose from 4 time limits and 2 difficulty levels.


Because school computer-lab time is limited, School editions of The Abacus Project provide teachers with options to restrict Arcade Play and to create customized Assignments. 

For assessment, a powerful record-keeping module allows teachers to track class and student results as they complete each difficulty level.


Demo Features
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This demo edition of The Abacus Project lets you try out:
- Puzzle Play: Beakers and Mixing Paint (3 questions in each difficulty level, start at difficulty 1 and work your way up)
- Arcade Play: Computer Lab Level 1 &  4 (each level becomes more challenging)
- Flash Cards: Addition, 00:30, Level 1
- Administration: Adding assignments and reviewing records

If you sign on as Teacher, you can explore the Administration Menu's record-keeping and Assignment features.


All general inquiries should be directed to:
-------------------------------------------

Ingenuity Works
325 Howe Street, Suite 407
Vancouver BC
V6C 1Z7
Canada

or

Ingenuity Works
1685 H Street, PMB# 1135
Blaine, WA  98230
USA

or 

information@ingenuityworks.com

http://www.ingenuityworks.com

1-800-665-0667

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