Program information

Developer and contact

Gina C. Erickson (DaisyQuest@comcast.net)

Scope of use

DaisyQuest was developed in 1992. Information is not available on the number or demographics of students, schools, or districts using the software.

Teaching

DaisyQuest is a software program comprised of two components that focus on recognition of rhyming; recognizing words with the same beginning, middle, and ending sounds; forming words from a series of phonemes; and counting sounds in words. The software uses graphics and story lines to engage children in the learning process. In the first component, called DaisyQuest, as children master each level of instructional activities they are rewarded with clues that lead them to discover where Daisy is hiding. In the second component, Daisy's Castle, a similar fairy tale theme involves searching for Daisy's lost eggs. The programs also offer children choices about the sequence of instructional activities and keep track of children's responses. Materials are presented using digitized and synthetic speech. The software contains a tutorial that guides the child by explaining each skill or concept briefly and provides practice exercises with feedback for correct and incorrect responses. When the activity is completed the child's mastery of the concept is tested through activities and questions. Included with the program is an adaptive test called Undersea Challenge. This test measures children's knowledge of rhyming; beginning, middle, and ending sounds; and phoneme blending and segmenting. The software generates statistical reports that enable parents and teachers to view children's performance.

In each of the four studies reviewed, classroom teachers did not direct students' use of DaisyQuest (studies were conducted by experimenters). However, the software is self-contained and teachers may send students to the computer to practice these skills, without any need to implement additional curricular materials. Though not stipulated by the program developer, the students in the reviewed studies used the computer program for 15–32 sessions, each lasting 20–25 minutes.

Cost

The DaisyQuest bundle (DaisyQuest, Daisy's Castle, and the Undersea Challenge mastery test) is available for $49.95, plus $6.95 shipping and handling.

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