What makes Personal Best Spelling more effective than other spelling tutors?

Have you noticed whenever children and adults misspell a word they spell it the same wrong way? Consistency in errors indicates they have learned to spell it "wrong". They now have a "learned error" or a habit error that, like all bad habits, dies hard.

Many poor spellers don't have a learning disability; they have a learned disability, i.e., they have many learned errors that defy correction by conventional teaching and learning methods. These resistant learned errors are like unnecessary baggage, and hold back their progress in learning.

Only Personal Best Spelling uses Old Way New Way^®, an Australian government endorsed learning method, backed by Australian National Training Authority funded research and school and workplace trials.Old Way New Way quickly overcomes learned errors and bad habits and accelerates learning.

This computer spelling coach is not just another computer game dressed up as educational software. If you are looking for entertainment and multimedia then this program is not for you. But if you have tried different spelling programs, mnemonics and other memory aids, spelling tutors and other spelling aids including catch-up classes or personal tutoring and found that you still forget words you have learned from one day to the next, then this program is just right for you.

Personal Best Spelling is a genuine teaching and learning tool using learning methods that are verified by government funded and university research and successful workplace trials, all of which you can read and evaluate yourself on this site. The Old Way New Way^® approach to spelling draws on newly emerging research into the psychology of learning and explains why people keep falling back to old ways under conventional, i.e., currently available, methods of coaching, teaching, home tutoring, home education and self teaching.

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How it works

How does Personal Best Spelling work?

Personal Best Spelling uses two proven learning methods, namely Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check, and Old Way New Way^®. The program uses an improved version of Look-Say-Cover-Write-Check., that makes this time-honoured method for learning to spell even more effective. Only Personal Best Spelling is licensed to use Old Way New Way^®, an Australian designed learning method proven in government funded research, workplace trials, and university experiments. .

It is much more than just a repetitive "skill and drill" approach to spelling. The program uses a special kind of practice that quickly develops understanding, as well as memory for correct spelling.

A full, step-by-step description of how the program works is contained on our web site. This description includes screen shots. If you still need more information, download a trial version of the program and test it.

Does Personal Best Spelling use phonics to teach spelling?

No, the program does not use a phonics approach. A full, step-by-step description of how the program works is contained on our website.

Does Personal Best Spelling sound out the word and then ask you to spell it?

No, there is no need for this feature. The learning methods built into the program are fully adequate by themselves. The word simply appears on screen for a short moment and when it disappears from view. You are asked to say it and then type it from memory. Then you practise this sequence five more times. This works extremely well without the extra complication of having the word spoken to you as well. Our results show that the effectiveness of the learning process is not improved by hearing the word and then being asked to write it, so there really is no need for this feature.

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Which version to buy

Which version of Personal Best Spelling should I buy - the children's version or the adult version?

Both adult and children's versions use Old Way New Way^® and this is the key to the effectiveness of both versions. Both versions can also use all the word lists, whether for adult or child learners. However, there are some minor differences between the two versions that could incline a learner, whether adult or child, to prefer one version over the other.

The children's version has some small animated characters that appear on some of the program's screens. Most young children find these entertaining without being a distraction to learning. Older students also find them quite attractive. However, some older students may find these animations "childish", as might some adults.

This is all a matter of personal preference so It is difficult to suggest what age group should use a particular version. The best advice is to try the adult version for secondary or high school students and use the children's version for primary or elementary school students. Adult learners will probably go for the adult version, although there have been some notable exceptions.

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Version comparison

How do the versions compare and what are their features?

The adult, children's and school versions are described in this comparison table.

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Demo vs. registered version

What's the difference between the free demo/trial version, and the fully registered version?

The unregistered version is a feature-limited demo version. For example, in the demo version you cannot save your own word lists, nor use the extensive word lists that come with the program. You have to register the program if you want to access all its features. Go to the About registration screen in the program, for instructions on how to register.

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CD versus download

Should I download the software, or buy it on CD ROM?

The CD ROM version costs a little bit more but it has some advantages if you need to re-install because you don't have to download the program again.

The CD also contains all the word lists, so you don't have to download these, either. Everything else is the same on the downloaded version and the CD ROM version.

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Downloading, installing, registering and installing word lists

How do I download the program?

Just click on the download link on the web site, for the adult or children's version.
The File Download box appears. Check the file name is correct, either pbs16adu.exe (adult version) or pbs16kid.exe (child version).
In answer to the question, "Would you like to open the file or save it, select Save - note which folder it is saved in because you will have to find the file later. "Download Complete" should show up when the download process if finished.
Using Windows Explorer, locate the downloaded file and double click on it. The WinZip box appears. Follow the on-screen instructions.
When all the program files have been extracted, the spelling program setup box should appear.
Click "Setup Personal Best Spelling". Accept the installation folder (don't change it because when you later download and install the word lists they will go into the default folder - see item 9 below). Click OK.
The next message should be "You have successfully installed Personal Best Spelling."
Start the program and go to the About Registration screen. Note the Installation Code and email that to us using the Contact Form. We will email you your registration code, normally within 24 hours.
Once registered, you can download and install hundreds of word lists (the unregistered trial or demo version only comes with two word lists). Download the compressed word list file, selecting your preferred version (adult or child) and your preferred spelling rules (USA or UK/Oz). Here are the wordlist file download links: wordsallusadu.exe (US, adult); wordsalluskid.exe (US, child); wordsallukadu.exe (UK/Oz, adult); wordsallukkid.exe (UK/Oz, child). Wordlists will unzip into the same default folder as the program itself, namely C:\windows\pbs16adu (adult) or C:\windows\pbs16kid (child). If you have changed the default program installation folder to something else you will have to transfer the word lists into the new folder.
You can also create and edit your own word lists (keep lists short, say no more than 10 words). Instructions are contained within the program.

For further information on available word lists and word list creation and use, refer to the word list page and the medical terms page.

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The CD ROM version

I insert the CD into the drive, but nothing happens (CD ROM version)?

If for some reason AutoRun doesn't work, it may be disabled: Go to Start/Settings/Control Panel/System/Device Manager and make sure View Devices by Type is selected. Double-click the CD-ROM line and note how it produces a new line underneath. This new line describes the type of CD-ROM you have. Double-click that new line and you should see the CD-ROM Properties window. Select the Settings tab and look for a checkbox labeled Auto Insert Notification. To enable AutoRun, check this box, click OK twice until prompted to restart your PC, then do so. AutoRun is now enabled.

If autorun is not disabled, but does not work with the CD, you can start the program manually. Click Start, Run, and type in D:\ Adult-US\setup.exe (Adult Spelling, US), D:\Adult-UK\setup.exe (Adult Spelling, UK), D:\Child-US\setup.exe (Child, US), or D:\Child-UK\setup.exe (Child, UK), where D: is the CD ROM drive letter.

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I've installed Personal Best Spelling demo version, so what happens next?

If you simply want to try it before purchasing it, feel free to browse the program's menus and experiment with it. The unregistered demo version contains three short word lists you can use, to see how the program works. Try all three learning activities - Learning New Words, Spell tester, and Problem Words. Then, if you decide to purchase, go to the About Registration screen and follow the instructions for registering the program. You register by purchasing a registration code.

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Screen looks funny

I've installed Personal Best Spelling but the program looks funny on the screen, and has lines running across it?

Re-run setup.exe (the original setup file you downloaded and unzipped). At the "Welcome to Personal Best Speller Install Program" screen, select "Change Graphic Driver", then select "Standard Windows Driver".

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Multiple installations

Can I install Personal Best Spelling on more than one computer, e.g., on my desktop and also on my laptop, or on my children's computer as well as my own computer?

What you are purchasing is a "single user licence". This means that the software can be installed on only one computer at a time. For more than one installation, you can either purchase a second copy or, if you require multiple installations, refer to the site licence terms and conditions, as described on the web site.

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Demo/trial version

Can I trial the program for free?

Yes. We strongly recommend that intending purchasers first download and evaluate the demonstration version of the program, before they order or CD ROM or pay for registration of the downloaded version. You can't get the CD ROM version for free valuation, but since the CD and download versions are identical, simply try the downloaded version and, when you are happy with that, buy the CD.

Our web site also contains a detailed description of how the program works, and if you still want more information then you can try the paper and pencil version or the free trial download.

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Ordering the program

How does the spelling software ordering process work?

When you complete the secure Order Form and submit it to us you are actually registering the program, i.e, purchasing a Registration Code number.

For a small extra cost you can also get the program on CD-ROM.

Unless you are buying the CD-ROM, you will need the Installation Code number that the program generates when you install it, in order to complete the Order Form. After you have downloaded and installed the program, you will find the Installation Code number on the program's Registration screen.

After you have filled in all the details on the Order Form and submitted it to us via our secure encrypted server you will see a Confirmation Form with all the details you filled in. Save and/or print this form and keep it as your record of purchase.

When we receive your Order Form and process your payment we will then email you the Registration Code number so you can enter it on the Registration screen and start using the full features of the program.

You should normally get a reply from us within 24 hours. If you have ordered the program on CD-ROM, when you receive it you will need to email us the Installation Code number after you have installed the program, so we can then send you your Registration number.

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Credit cards

What credit cards do you accept?

VISA, Mastercard, AMEX.

Is my credit card information secure?

Yes. Your information is encrypted so it is secure in transit. This is according to the international standards for secure credit card transactions. Just as importantly, though, your credit card information is secure once it reaches us. Although we do keep a record of who our customers are, so we can tell them about upgrades, we destroy credit card information so it does not remain on our computer. We also employ a secure firewall to protect your information during the short period that it resides on our computer.

I don't have a credit card, so how do I place an order?

Customers outside Australia who do not want to use credit card can pay by International Bank Draft/Check.

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Registration

How do I register my copy of the software?

After you have installed the program, start it up, go to the About Registration screen, and follow the instructions for registering the program. You need to email us the Installation Code, so we can send you a Registration Code.

My program says "Unregistered version", so what do I do now?

The unregistered version is a feature-limited demo version. For example, in the demo version you cannot save your own word lists, nor use the extensive word lists that come with the program. You have to register the program if you want to access all its features. Go to the About Registration screen in the program, for instructions on how to register.

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Word lists

What word lists are available?

There are many word lists for both the children's and the adult versions. Adult word lists contain many words that cause adult learners special difficulty. Similarly, children's word lists contain words that pose problems for children. Words are graded/grouped for age level and by first letter of the word, for convenience. The word lists cover commonly misspelled words (demons);.the most common words in children's reading; the most common nouns; a core of words that people should be able to spell on sight, without sounding; the most common words that cover about three-quarters of children's reading.

I've downloaded and installed Personal Best Spelling but all I've got when the programs starts are three short word lists to work with. Where are all those other word lists?

Your version may be unregistered. The unregistered version is a feature-limited demo version. For example, in the demo version you cannot save your own word lists, nor use the extensive word lists that come with the program. You have to register the program if you want to access all its features. If your version is already registered, instructions for finding and installing all the word lists are here.

If you have registered the program and still cannot see the word lists, that means you have not installed them. See the next item for instructions.

How do I find and install all those word lists that are supposed to come with my registered version of Personal Best Spelling?

Instructions for installing word lists for the downloaded version are here. Read on to find out how to install word lists for the CD ROM version.

The CD ROM version has all the word lists on the CD. Here are the steps for transferring the word lists from the CD to your computer:

1. Start Windows Explorer
2. Put the CD into the drive.
3. Click on the plus (+) sign next to the CD ROM drive letter, usually D: That will open up the four folders on the CD.
4. Click on the plus sign next to the folder for your selected version, e.g., "Adult-US". That will open its contents and you will see a folder called "wordlists".
5. Click on this wordlists folder. On the right of the screen you will now see many word lists. They all end in the extension .txt.
6. Select all of these word lists by clicking on the Edit menu, then on Select All.
7. With all the files still selected, right click on the selection area, and select Copy from the menu that pops up.
8. Find the folder where the program is installed, e.g., C:\windows\pbs16adu, and Paste all the files into that folder.
9. The word lists should now appear when you use the program next time.

Problem with word lists

The last letter of the last word, in some of the older versions of the lists, gets deleted sometimes. This is a known issue with word lists downloaded before 12 January 2004. As from 12 January 2004, this problem has been fixed. Users with old versions of word lists, and who have discovered they have this problem, can download the corrected word lists from these sites:

Select and download word lists here:

US spelling. Contains all word lists that come with the program, for both adult and child versions. Lists are easily identified and come with explanatory text.

UK and OZ spelling. Contains all word lists that come with the program, for both adult and child versions. Lists are easily identified and come with explanatory text.

Once you have downloaded your word list, unzip the file into the same folder as the program is installed, namely C:\windows\pbs16adu (adult version). or C:\windows\pbs16kid (child version). All the lists will then become available next time you start the program.

Using word lists

The program comes with hundreds of prepared word lists. There are word lists for adults and for children. These same word lists can also be downloaded from the web site Word lists cover a range of school grade levels and adult learning levels and for convenience some lists are organised into categories, e.g., nouns, or words that typically cause spelling problems.

Although these word lists can be useful, the best way to use the spelling program is by creating your own word lists. This can be done either within the program itself or by using a word processor. Instructions are contained within the program.

Here are three examples of different ways you can use the word lists that you create.

You have received a list of new words that you have to learn. Create a word list containing these words using the spelling program and then use the Learn New Words section of the program to learn the words in the word list.

Important - keep your word lists short, say no more than 5 words in a list, especially when using the program for the first time. Far better to have two lists each containing 5 words than one list with 10 words.

Why? The program takes time to walk you through each word list and if the list is long then the whole process is too lengthy and too demanding. As well, the program won't let you stop half way through a list, close the program and then let you pick up from where you left off when you restart the program - it makes you start all over again from the beginning of the word list.

Therefore, you have to work through all the words in a word list in one sitting. That's no problem if your word list is short but it can become a problem if your word list is long.

You may find that some of the word lists supplied with the program are too long to learn in one sitting. This problem can be overcome by splitting the word list into two or more shorter lists. This can be done using a word processor or a text editor such as Notepad or WordPad in Windows XP. Word lists must be saved as a "text" file with a .txt extension, and the filename should be no more than 8 characters in length, e.g., bobwords.txt

You have some words that you are unsure how to spell and you always have to look up the spelling. Create one or more word lists containing these words and then use the Correct Problem Words section of the program to learn how to spell these words, once and for all.

You have learnt some new words using the Learning New Words section of the program and now want to practise those words and test yourself. Use the Spelling Tester section of the program to do this. It will improve your memory for spelling and give the necessary practice.

Of course, the best way to practise your spelling is to use the new words that you learn in your day-to-day writing. Remember, if you don't use it; you lose it.

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Program spelling error

Why does the program have a spelling error ?

The program has a spelling error—"it's" instead of "its".

This unfortunate error got past the spell check process when the program was being written by the programmer. It will be corrected in the next version.

The error does not indicate that we don't know how to spell—it simply says we did not check the spelling carefully enough when the program was being written.

There no spelling errors anywhere else in the program, nor in the word lists.

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U.S. and U.K spelling

Does the program support U.S., as well as U.K./Oz spelling conventions?

Yes. All the many words lists that come with the registered version are available in both U.S. and U.K./Oz spelling (see previous question, above).

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Re-installation

My computer crashed (or I have a new computer). How can I re-install the software (or how can I get the software onto my new computer)?

If you have a backup of the original program file you downloaded, simply re-install that, then go to the About Registration screen and email us the Installation Code and we will issue you a new registration code, provided your information matches our client record. If you don't have a backup, you will have to download the program again.

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Preview, trial and purchase it

Before you buy, please check out the many spelling program features. You can preview the program, download and try the demo adult or children's version for free, and then purchase it using our secure order form.

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	Spelling program FAQ: Personal Best Spelling Not just another computer game dressed up as educational software
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Spelling program FAQ: Personal Best Spelling

Not just another computer game dressed up as educational software

PAGE CONTENTS

Why it's better

How it works

Which version to buy

Features

Demo vs. registered

CD vs. download

Setting up

CD version

Demo version

Registration

Word lists

Program error

Other questions

Personal Best Spelling

Ordering

USA version

Australian/UK version

Learn to Read in Nine Easy Steps

What makes Personal Best Spelling more effective than other spelling tutors?

How it works

Which version to buy

Version comparison

Demo vs. registered version

CD versus download

Downloading, installing, registering and installing word lists

The CD ROM version

I've installed Personal Best Spelling demo version, so what happens next?

Screen looks funny

Multiple installations

Demo/trial version

Ordering the program

Credit cards

Registration

Word lists

Program spelling error

U.S. and U.K spelling

Re-installation

Other questions

Preview, trial and purchase it