Switched-On Schoolhouse is a computer program, used primarily by homeschoolers and students in private school(specifically Eagle's Nest Christian Acadamy). It was created by Alpha Omega Publications, a Bible-based education company. The program spans a wide amount of subjects, including History, Science, Language Arts, the Bible, and more. New versions are released annually.

History

Release of Version 1.0

In April 1997, the original Switched-On Schoolhouse was first released. This early release was designed for use on DOS based Windows 95 and Windows 98. It was not, however, designed for use on the upgraded Windows 98 SE or any of the NT line Operating Systems.

1998

In the 1998 Edition of Switched-On Schoolhouse, 5th Grade was included in its programming.

1999

In the 1999 Edition of Switched-On Schoolhouse, 4th Grade was included in its programming.

2000

Finally, in April 2000, Alpha Omega released 3rd Grade in Switched-On Schoolhouse.

Switched-On Schoolhouse R²

In April 2005, Switched-On Schoolhouse 2.0: Revised and Rewired, better known as Switched-On Schoolhouse R² was released.

2006

In the 2006 edition of R², the well respected Highlighting feature was removed.

Switched-On Schoolhouse 2007

Features

SOS includes support for an entire class of pupils, as well as a built-in private messaging system, and multiple school semesters. It contains a useful lesson-planning system, and allows the individual students to customize the layout of the program (via different skins).

Highlighting

The Highlighting feature is one of the best known features in Switched-On Schoolhouse 2.0.

Calculator

First released in 2003 as a new feature in Switched-On Schoolhouse 2.0, the SOS Calculator is the first of the three core reference features in Switched-On Schoolhouse. The SOS Calculator is not all that different in design and function from the Windows Calculator, though it lacks the Scientific Mode.

Dictionary

Also released in Switched-On Schoolhouse 2.0, the SOS Dictionary is the second core reference feature. The SOS Dictionary allows the student to freely look up words within the interface.

In Switched-On Schoolhouse R², the feature was expanded to allow the teacher to add or remove words to or from the dictionary database.

Periodic Table

Along with the Dictionary and Calculator, the SOS Periodic Table is the third and final core reference feature in Switched-On Schoolhouse 2.0.

The SOS Periodic Table, as its name implies, is an interactive, color coded version of the Periodic Table of Elements. Each unique page contains a detailed description of its corresponding element. It describes in detail the name of the element, the element symbol, the atomic number, the atomic weight, and the electronic configuration. It also provides the student with detailed information on the element's origin, composition, discovery, and use.

Trivia: Although it was released with the Dictionary and Calculator in 2003, the SOS Periodic Table is the only core reference feature that originated in the original Switched-On Schoolhouse.

Timeline

The SOS Timeline is the fourth reference feature in Switched-On Schoolhouse. Unlike the previous three, however, it is not one of the core reference features that can be accessed through Reference Tools menu. To access the timeline, the student must click on a hyperlinked date within a lesson.

In the original Switched-On Schoolhouse, the timeline feature was a simple picture based application. It offered little flexibility, and only allowed you to view events within one century before or after the featured date.

When Switched-On Schoolhouse 2.0 came out, few changes were made to the timeline. Though it now loaded faster, and had slightly better graphical quality.

Finally, in Switched-On Schoolhouse 2007, the timeline feature was given a complete makeover. It was now powered by a more complex Macromedia Flash engine, instead of the simple picture based system of its predecessor. It also allowed the student to enter and search for dates within the timeline, as well as freely scroll the interface with the mouse.

Trivia: In the 2002 edition of Switched on Schoolhouse, the timeline listed the 2001 Terrorist Attacks in its database. In the 2003 edition of Switched on Schoolhouse 2.0, however, the 9/11 entry seems to have been removed. It hasn't since reappeared.

Dynamic Learning Activities

Vocabulocity

Vocabulocity is the original Vocabulary Comprehension Game, first introduced in the original Switched-On Schoolhouse.

Story: Vocabulo City is dark and freezing. You are the city's only hope. You must bring the inhabitants enough energy to restore light and heat to the city. You must collect energy by flying and enerjet through seven energizing units located on each of the seven planets.

If you succeed in collecting energy from all seven planets, Vocabulo City will spring to life! If you fail, Vocabulo City will remain in total darkness...forever!

Alpha 14

Vocabulocity: the Rescue of Alpha 14 is the sequel to the original vocabulary game, Vocabulocity.

Story: Alpha 14, the space station orbiting the planet, is in danger. Its Hypercore is collapsing. All on board have been evacuated. Scientists on the surface have determined that if it is not repaired, Alpha 14 will be on a collision course with Vocabulo City. Your mission is to pilot a shuttle craft to Alpha 14, make your way to the Hypercore, and make the necessary repairs before the station loses orbit.

A new feature introduced in Alpha 14, is the ability to have three chances before you lose the game, instead of just the one chance in Vocabulocity.

In the 2001 edition of Switched on Schoolhouse, Alpha 14 had its own theme.

Tiny Tutors

Tiny Tutors are a trademark feature of Switched-On Schoolhouse.

Tiny Tutors are small in dimension, but bring in big ideas. These videos offer specific tips, instruction or commentary, or general information to support important ideas in the Switched-On Schoolhouse curriculum. When you see a Tiny Tutor Icon, click to view the video. The controls for stopping, playing, or pausing a video can be found directly beneath it after you click it.

External links

• Alpha Omega Publications (Official website)
• Discount Christian (Online Source for discount pricing)