spelling program - not just another computer game dressed up as educational software

The spelling program for all adults and children is Personal Best Spelling

 Personal Best Spelling


Printable Version

NEW printable version only AU$9.95. More

US English spelling version   Australian English spelling version   UK English spelling version

spelling program order form  spelling program free trial

Spelling Habits

Spelling teachers and students try to get it right the first time but invariably end up spending a lot of time trying to correct bad spelling habits that somehow develop.

Because these errors were not corrected early, and were repeated over and over (i.e., practiced), many spelling errors quickly develop into bad habits and are then much harder to eradicate. For example, some people always write "recieve" instead of "receive".

We all know that old habits die hard and many spelling errors therefore defy correction by conventional methods.

The usual advice to practice the correct spelling over and over is not very effective. The next day learners seem to have forgotten what they've learned and the same old spelling errors resurface. It seems we just keep falling back to old ways and, consequently, transfer of learning (memory for correct spelling) is poor.

Fortunately, a cognitive science discovery called Old Way New Way® Learning, endorsed and gazetted by the South Australian Department of Education and built into Personal Best Spelling, offers all learners of all ages:

1. A new perspective on the transfer of learning problem in the learning of spelling.

2. A fast and practical way to learn to spell new and unfamiliar words.

3. A user-friendly method for quickly and permanently eradicating bad spelling habits.

This page describes published research on spelling habits and explains how Old Way New Way® can quickly eradicate bad spelling habits.

Personal Best Spelling is the only spelling program licensed to use the Old Way New Way® learning method. Extensive research and trials in schools and workplaces shows that Old Way New Way® works equally well with adult learners and children. Personal Best Spelling therefore comes in two versions - one for adults and one for children.

Adult spelling

Not just another educational computer game, the adult version of Personal Best Spelling employs research-based learning methods yet it is very user friendly and, unlike most so-called adult spelling programs, it does not insult your intelligence.

The adult version of Personal Best Spelling is available as a computer software program for Windows operating systems or as a pencil-and-paper version.

Read more about the adult spelling version of Personal Best Spelling.

Children's spelling

The children's version contains some animated characters but this is kept to a minimum so as not to distract the child from the learning task.

The children's version of Personal Best Spelling is available as a computer software program for Windows operating systems or as a pencil-and-paper version.

Read more about the children's version of Personal Best Spelling.

Orders

   Adult spelling

   Children's spelling

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 Early Reading Program


Learn to Read in Nine Easy Steps

Learn to Read in Nine Easy Steps

The reading program for every preschooler and school beginner.

Learn to Read in Nine Easy Steps:

1. Can quickly make you a competent teacher of reading

2. Provides step-by-step instructions and sample lessons so you know exactly what to say and do

3. Makes the teaching of reading stress-free, enjoyable and rewarding for both you and your child

4. Takes children from phonological awareness to functional literacy in nine easy, stress-free, steps

5. Tunes in to how children learn best

6. Gives children rapid success and boosts confidence

7. Offers early intervention to avoid reading failure later

8. Demystifies the maze of conflicting theories on how children should be taught to read

9. Was developed by an educational psychologist with over 30 years success in the teaching of reading

10. Is built on a sound psychological theory of how children learn to read

11. Is available in both U.S. spelling or U.K./Oz spelling

12. Comes in Home User or Professional versions, both with personalised learning materials and email support direct from the author.

Versions

Home Version: For parents and carers, the Home User version comes with one set of personalised learning materials and email support for a period of 1 month, during which period you can ask the kit author questions about the use of the kit. More

School/professional version: For schools, child care centres, professional literacy tutors and other educational organisations, the Professional version comes complete with one set of 14 Phonic Readers, five personalised sets of learning materials and 2 months of email support, during which period you can ask the kit author questions about the use of the kit. More

For schools, child care centres, professional literacy tutors and other educational organisations, the Professional version comes complete with one set of 14 Phonic Readers, five personalised sets of learning materials and 2 months of email support, during which period you can ask the kit author questions about the use of the kit. More

Why Johnny can't read

Old Way New Way® Learning

The Way Ahead: Old Way New Way and Mediational Learning. Paul Baxter. Classroom. Issue 7, 2000, pages 12 - 13. Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd.

By Dr Paul Baxter, author of, How To Get the Most Out of Your Child's School: 60 Questions Parents Ask Teachers. Fontana/Collins, 1983.

"Notice how children and adults keep misspelling the same word in the same wrong way? Learn why students keep falling back to old ways and improve classroom learning with Old Way New Way®.

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The Education Boom

spelling program learning method

The Education Boom. Jarek Czechowicz. Management Today. November-December 2000. Pages 12 and 13. Australian Institute of Management.

Knowledge is an enterprise's greatest resource. Online management development is fast and cheap. By 2002, more than half of all training will be technology based, with the remainder taking place in the classroom.

This article discusses the proactive habit interference mechanism that slows down change and continuous improvement in knowledge and skills. The solution, Old Way New Way®, accelerates human learning and allows the rapid uptake of new knowledge and skills.

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Computer Corner review of Personal Best Spelling

Computer Corner review of Personal Best Spelling by Bill Gillespie. Education: Journal of the New South Wales Teachers Federation. 16 October, 2000, page 24.

".... This program takes a no nonsense approach to the teaching of spelling... This is not a game dressed up as educational software.... One advantage of this approach is that it can correct persistent, learned and habitual spelling errors... It is worthwhile visiting the website just to read the information on the Old Way New Way® approach to learning."

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Mediational Learning: Old Habits No Longer Die Hard

spelling program reviewed by adult literacy organisation

Mediational Learning: Old Habits No Longer Die Hard. Dr Paul Baxter. Write On, 2000, 18, 1, 10 - 15. Queensland Council For Adult Literacy Newsletter.

Discusses the theoretical background to Mediational Learning (Old Way New Way®) and its application to adult literacy teaching. Contains over 32 references to research journal articles.

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Published research on Old Way New Way®

For a full list of published articles in international refereed journals on the Old Way New Way® learning method and its many application, go to the annotated bibliography.

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Preview, trial download and purchase

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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