Alligator Mix
Alligator Mix is an educational software title intended to help younger learners with Math. Developmental Learning Materials (DLM) who helped create the software for Texas Instruments (TI), calls the software an Arcademic title, an amalgamation of academic and arcade. The idea was to create a game that was educational, yet entertaining enough to encourage learners to keep playing. Alligator Mix was programmed by Mary Anne Six and was released in 1982. Its original retail price was $24.95 (USD).
| Alligator Mix Manual Front Cover | |
|---|---|
 Alligator Mix Manual (Front Cover) | |
| Publisher(s) | Texas Instruments (TI) |
| Original Retail Price | $24.95 (USD) |
| Programmer(s) | Mary Anne Six |
| Part# | PHM 3114 |
| Format(s) | Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module |
| Release | 1982 |
| Genre(s) | Educational, Mathematics |
Gameplay
In Alligator Mix, a series of apples, with mathematic expressions written on them, travels towards the player, represented by an alligator that has a potential answer displayed on its side. If the answer on the alligator is correct, the player presses the Space Bar to open the mouth. If the answer is incorrect, the player keeps the alligator's mouth closed. As the player correctly answers questions, new alligators are created above the current alligator. There are five levels of alligators. Each one is higher up, and further left, giving the player less time to decide if the answer is correct or not. This makes the game more difficult as the game proceeds.
Advertising Blurb
From the Front Cover
An arcade game format provides fun and challenge while increasing math skills in addition and subtraction of numbers from 0 to 9. Suitable for children from kindergarten through sixth grade.
Manual
An Open Letter from Developmental Learning Materials
CONGRATULATIONS on purchasing an ARCADEMICTM SKILL BUILDERS IN MATH program-software that provides fun while practicing basic math skills for players of all ages. This innovative game combines fast action, colorful graphics, and an arcade game format with learning that creates persistence and involvement found in arcade game players.
This game is based on a theory of combining proven educational techniques with a highly motivating format that challenges the player to learn. The game control options allow the control of the speed at which the game is played, the numbers that appear in the problems, the length of each game, and the mode-whether controlled by joysticks or keyboard-in which the game can be played. These options maximize the fun and learning by providing:
- SUCCESS IN LEARNING-rather than preventing errors, success in these games is reflected by improvement. Starting players where they "aren't" (usually producing high rates of errors) and then moving back or ahead to provide success maximizes learning as well as creates challenge. Poor performance is not viewed by players as failure but as a challenge to improve.
- INDIVIDUAL NEEDS-selecting the appropriate numbers for the problems in this format will help players "want" to learn. They will find needed repetitious drill as fun and stimulating as other types of learning.
- HIGH RATE OF LEARNING-players must employ the best strategy under exciting circumstances to make rapid responses while being given immediate feedback to meet the challenge of the game.
- EVIDENCE OF IMPROVEMENT-players have an unlimited ceiling on performance, immediate feedback on performance that continues to challenge, and a framework for success.
We know you will see the difference with this software! Players will be fascinated with the game while working toward the overall objective: to increase correct responses (hits) and decrease incorrect ones (misses) to basic arithmetic problems.
Your ARCADE MIC SKILL BUILDERS IN MATH program makes learning fun, exciting, independent, and successful. Your players will like learning!
Developmental Learning Materials
A Note to Parents
Developmental Learning Materials and Jerry Chaffin and Bill Maxwell of the University of Kansas have developed six programs to help your child learn the four basic math operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Four programs emphasize each of the math operations, and two programs develop discrimination between math operations by presenting problems in both addition and subtraction or in multiplication and division. With all six programs, an arcade game format creates an exciting atmosphere for learning, using colorful graphics and fact action.
Alligator Mix, one of the six Solid State Cartridges, can help your child increase skills in addition and subtraction of numbers from 0 to 9 and develop discrimination between these two basic math operations. Alligator Mix is learning combined with fun. Your child plays an arcade game while learning essential mathematical principals.
The setting for Alligator Mix is a swamp populated by friendly-but finicky-alligators who will only eat an apple if the problem on the apple matches the answer which appears on the alligator's body. As the apple displaying either an addition or subtraction problem moves across the screen toward the mouth of the alligator, your child decides whether the answer and problem match.
Your child experiences colorful evidence of success each time a problem and answer are correctly matched. Alligators swallow correctly matched apple-problems. Repeated success in feeding one alligator lures another alligator to raise his eyes above the water. Further success in matching problems to answers causes the alligator to lift his head. Finally, the alligator appears completely and is ready for his own set of apple-problems. Sometimes the rapid movement of an alligator will even startle a fish who jumps-with musical sound effects-out of the water. Alligator Mix also records your child's score of "hits" (correct answers) and "misses" (incorrect answers) in the swamp at the bottom of the screen.
Your Child and the Computer
The Texas Instruments Home Computer is a rugged, durable device designed for easy use and care. Teach your child to give the computer the same good care and respect he or she would give a television set, record player, or any piece of electronic equipment:
- Keep snacks and beverages away from the console.
- Don't hammer on the keyboard or place heavy objects on it.
- Don't touch the cartridge contacts. These are recessed in the cartridge to help prevent accidental soiling and/or damage.
The letters and numbers on the keyboard are arranged in the same order found on standard typewriter keyboards. If your child is not familiar with a typewriter or has not used your Home Computer before, take a few minutes to acquaint him or her with the keyboard. Point out the row of number keys at the top and the rows of letter keys below. Show your child how to insert the cartridge and select the activities. If your child is using Wired Remote Controllers, or joysticks, show him or her how to connect the joysticks to the console and practice using the joysticks in an activity. This brief "tour" of the computer will help reinforce correct procedures and instill confidence as your child starts out in a new world of computers.
Today, computers are involved in almost every aspect of life. Working with this cartridge can help your child become familiar with computers and their operation. Since computer-enhanced instruction is more common in the classroom every year, this knowledge can give your child an important advantage.
