Evaluation

Microsoft Paint, comes as part of a package within Microsoft Windows '95, which has been developed by the Microsoft Corporation. To run Microsoft paint, one needs to have:

* A standard P.C Computer * Microsoft Windows '95, version 4.0 * A Random Access Memory of 16 (RAM's) * 0.62 Giga- Byte Hard Drive * Processor of 133 MHz (486 Mother Board) * A l;keyboard * A mouse * A colour monitor * A printer black and white or coloured.

Microsoft Paint, can be purchased for $79.95 from any computer store or can be obtained through Freeware which is 'Try before you buy', software. This allows you to evaluate the software for ones self for a set trial period.

Microsoft Paint, is an easy to use program which offers a variety of tools, brushes, colours and effects. The program can entertain children of all ages for hours on end. It allows children to create simple designs in artwork, easily, and in an enjoyable fashion. The program is educational and ideally suits children of KITO level 0, which involves children in classes of Kindergarten and Prep. Through this program the students, are able to draw simple shapes, through the use of the computer.

I feel that the program is, well worth its money as it can be used for many years with many children. All children need to develop a concept of space and structure and this is one such program in which allows them to gain those qualities. The use of the mouse will develop a child's hand/eye co-ordination skills, through creating shapes. Colours are bright and tools on the left hand side of the screen, easy to identify. Many shapes and objects can be developed through the wide use of tools available within the tool bar, such as Squares, circles, pencil lines and even squiggles. Text can also be used in conjunction with shapes, to label parts or explain objects. I found Paint easy to use, and I believe that children will also find it easy.

The process of Installing Microsoft Paint was easy and simple as it was automatically achieved, through the installation of Microsoft Windows '95. The process of this task

was assisted through a step by step guide instruction manual, which came with the package. The installation process of the program was also displayed, as one was installing it, this made it easy to understand and to follow the steps. Operating instructions on Microsoft Paint are contained within the instruction manual, However I found the use of the Help System available, within the actual program to be more useful and convenient . The help system gave instructions on how to:

* Draw lines and shapes * Work with colour * Erase * Work with parts of pictures * Change how your picture looks on the screen * Printing * Use Paint with other programs * Make work easy using 'Tips and Tricks'

The frame work and operation of Microsoft Paint allows one to change the content of what they are doing as often as they want with the present image still on screen. If the user wishes to draw a circle after drawing a square they achieve this easily by clicking on the square tool and dragging the curser with the mouse to create the desired shape and size. If text was then desired, the user would select the 'A' tool, selecting the area they wished to write in by dragging the mouse with finger on the button, and stopping, then writing in the text. If one wishes to access another program, while still using Paint, a set Frame work must be followed. In this case, Paint must be either closed temporarily by going to 'File', and clicking on Close and then Exit, or can placed under the pile by clicking on the 'X' in the top right hand corner of the screen.

As I have previously mentioned, I feel, Microsoft Paint is an easy program to use and I feel any child of the KITO level '0' group of Kindergarten and Prep, can work the program with no hassles once they have been shown.

I believe this through my observations of a little girl age 6 years in Prep. She had no previous experience with the program before my observations of her using it. I therefore, had to show her the basic functions, of the program, how to draw a shape with the mouse, how to add in text and add or change colour. After an explanation and demonstration I let her work on it herself.

At first she had a few troubles controlling the mouse, however, after a while, she realised that she didn't have to move the mouse much, to make an object larger or smaller. She had little control over the mouse when using the pencil to draw fine lines with, which I guess is why she gave up on fine lines after a while as they were all out of proportion. I felt a child may have had difficulties in this, as I found I had problems. She tended to use the whole shapes, squares, circles and rectangles often, I guess this was due to the fact as they turned out perfect all the time.

Colour was widely used within foreground and background shapes. This was one thing I expected, as children love to add as much colour as possible, to drawings and pictures. I felt text may have been used more as children enjoy writing stories and labelling items however text was used once or twice, as she was unable to judge effectively the area in which she needed to highlight, in order to write the text in, as words were missed out. This was one thing I did not consider.

All in all despite not being able to be accustomed to text, the child managed to use Paint as I expected. She spent a good deal of time creating pictures of houses and objects using all the tools, shapes and colours and quickly gained control over the mouse. She printed out many of her artworks, and was able after each completion start up a clean screen. All in all I feel she enjoyed it.

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