Questionable Purpose in these kind of units..
Written: Nov 29 '03 (Updated Nov 30 '03)
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Pros: Themes available (Sesame Street - due to exclusive rights); auto-page sense
Cons: Use of finger; Lack of headset jack; Minimal books at this time
The Bottom Line: I question "finger use". My gut says go with LeapPad over this unit; but a computer should be the option of choice first.
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| bellyman's Full Review: Fisher-Price PowerTouch Learning System |
FD: I do not own the PowerTouch nor the LeapFrog LeapPad system but I wanted to provide feedback to everyone thinking of either unit. (oh shock oh horror)
NOTE: a) Age - from 3-8 from what I can tell
b) Durability - cannot comment
c) Rating - I question the end game (purpose) of this and the LeapPad units
Finger Pointing
One of the first major differences is that LeapPad uses a "wand"/"pen" whereas the PowerTouch uses the child's finger.
First, I am not in education; I am not qualified; and I have never played an educator on TV. My wife, however, does have a Degree from the University of Toronto and second, has worked in an educational institute.
As soon as I mentioned "finger", she put the brakes on. She does not feel this is a good system - and thinks the wand is a better choice.
I bought a book on speed reading (not finished unfortunately) and one of the things it stated was GET OUT OF THE HABIT OF USING YOUR FINGER TO READ. It is a distraction; it slows you down. (!!!!!!!!!)
Doing a basic search on Google - there appears to be some thought that using your finger - helps children learn to read. But up to what age? Sure if I read a book with big print and show each word - that will help them (that was the technique as told to me during a parent volunteer orientation at my son's school).
But should an 8 year old use their finger? 10? 15?
What I know for sure - I sometimes use my finger (based on previous bad habits?) and I am a very slow reader. Imagine being in grade 10, and the book, "To Kill a Mockingbird" was assigned. The class (majority) was done - I was still on chapter 10 (of 22!!!). Based on that fatal flaw - and not even understanding the bloody story, future books caused me to change my habits - I ended up reading books - first 2-3 chapters in their entirety and then THE FIRST SENTENCE OF EVERY PARAGRAPH thereafter. Otherwise I would never finish the book. (Is that good? NO!)
Look at the PocketPC and Palm systems - all use a "pen" (as with real life). So what is wrong with a PEN?
Said a different way - suppose that using your finger is ok - so you use it up to age 6 - then want to use a pen? So you buy two systems? Maybe -- seeing as the LeapPad does have a different unit for older children.
All I am saying is - think about the end game. If all you care is to appease your children for a few hours a day, and "hope" they succeed in the future, this may be ok. But if you want to ensure such a system is positive, read up on it. There are PLENTY of epinion reviews of LeapPad. Check various sources for finger reading. Ask your school teacher. RESEARCH. This isn't YOUR life remember. And you want your children (I have two sons) to be FAR BETTER THAN YOU - DON'T YOU? .. and that may or may not include systems such as this or even the LeapPad.
One epinion Leappad review by, ned1, even went so far as to recommend computer software instead. No TOUCHSCREEN games I am aware of. And computers are everywhere - isn't it better to get them using a PC earlier than later? My first CPU was March 1992 (Apple ][ ); my Son's - as early as I could - like around 2. He is far ahead of any child without some fancy standalone device.
Personally, for myself to read a book to my son using MY finger is one thing. But to sit him down in front of a device that forces to use his finger - is something else.
My "e"pinion - take whatever you can from this - but please - THINK before you buy this or even the other system.
Themes and Characters
People get lost in purpose.
I have a computer DVD player and my wife wants a regular DVD. Sure I can get a DVD player pretty cheap, but I thought of something more important. The high cost isn't the player but the replacement of DVD's. I have two sons (5 and 1). I have a slew of movies (Toy Story 1/2; Finding Leonard Nemoy; Chicken Run; Monsters etc etc).
I know my 5 year old will want to change constantly. So instead of a single - I am getting a 5 disc player (I think Panasonic but not sure yet; and will review it). That way I can stick in 4 of their favorites and then 1 of ours. Then they can flip with the remote amoungst the discs. Makes sense for us at this time. This is an example of PURPOSE. FIRST is "I want a 5 disc" and then the features of various makes follow.
Versus "I want a DVD player.. what is the cheapest or has the best features".
I would rather buy a DVD movie (until Hollywood is crying again and comes out with a new format and forces us to change our entire collection AGAIN) than to replace scratched discs. I think a 5 disc will help in that goal.
This system and LeapPad are no different. The major differences (finger/wand) are overshadowed by content.
Right off the bat, Mattel as we SHOULD know, owns the rights for Sesame Street. That alone might be the be all end all. Leap Pad has created their own characters.
Both seem to have other popular characters (Arthur; Dora; Blues etc). Companies include "Nick Jr" (Blues/Dora); Henson (Bear in Big Blue House) and Scholastic (Arthur; Clifford etc).
In short - before you plop down money on the table see what both systems have to offer - Leapfrog has an established base of products. Fisher Price is relatively new. Either wait or determine from what both offer before buying.
Look at video game systems. One of the biggest draws for Sega was Sonic. For Nintendo - it was Mario Bros.
But besides the 'Characters' see what both companies have to offer; read up reviews from all over of the CONTENT. At $15 a book, they should be worth the money. WHat does each offer the child - pros/cons. The products should list everything that the child should get out of it.
In addition I noticed that PowerTouch might have more "activities" per page - eg. Counting; Finding; Game etc. But how much feedback is given? If you are told to count - how does the child know he is right? Stuff to look into.
As you play with your child (I hope - instead of "here chuck.. good luck), you can see what they like about each - and then later buy more products that exhibit the same "content" or "theme".
Features
Page
Leappad - requires you to hit GO (to know page).
Powertouch - has holes in the page to sense the page
-- Leappad in Wal-mart kept saying "hit GO" after I did - something was wrong with the unit
-- Powertouch wins here, but then again they saw the weakness and took advantage when they "created" their own
Headset
Leappad - box says it has a headset jack
Powertouch - does not say
-- My son uses the PC - I have the volume turned WAY DOWN (so cannot be adjusted and hurt his ears); and he uses a headset. He plays various games/educational programs. The computer is in the living room. It is not practical to hear his stuff all the time. The 1 year old's various toys all over the house are noisy enough. Powertouch fell down with this assuming the box didn't leave out this fact.
Interchangeability
LeapFrog has three pads. The "my first leappad" for younger children - those cartridges cannot work on the main Leappad system. But apparently the cartridges are interchangeable on both the middle and higher aged model
PowerTouch seems to have one.
Finally
- I am not interested in people reviewing this as HELPFUL or OFFTOPIC - do what you please. My epinion is - people forget the endgame without the big picture.
- I was interested in both systems but the more I read and thought about it, I think it is better to shore up my computer and forget about these two systems. However, I will review future computer games to ensure they have the content that will help my child. As computers are getting cheaper and cheaper all the time, there is no excuse for a child not to have a computer nowadays.
- If you still are interested - visit BOTH companies websites (Mattel and LeapFrog) and see the reasoning for their approach. (one of course has nothing on this topic - which makes it less credible in my epinion).
- PowerTouch being new will not have as much of a Library as LeapPad - if there isn't enough for PowerTouch, don't just buy LeapPad. Wait it out a bit. That is, unless you too have determined that the finger isn't a good idea either.
- Both systems are widely available for "try first" - so do so; and see what the store policy is for returns on opened gear (if any)
- Oh and if you check how many reviews I have - I have bought some new gear still unreviewed - not because I don't want to review or don't care about epinions, BUT, because I have no time. Between my two children, my work and my new found love (investing), I have no time. But that does not push me harder to give something for my child to use because I have no time for him. I still read every night before bed. My wife reads to him in the day. He uses the computer (education and fun) daily.
- Remember - PURPOSE FIRST.
Links
Please read this review by ned1.
If you don't have a computer these might be "ok" but otherwise get better software for your computer and stick with that.
LeapFrog LeapPad:
http://www.leapfrog.com/do/findpage?pageID=our_approach
Fisher-Price PowerTouch:
http://www.fisher-price.com/us/powertouch
EDIT: Finally, read my LONG BIO. It points out issues with epinions that I would like you - the reader - to act on. Thank you.
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UPDATE - NOV 30 (AFTER 8 COMMENTS)
1) I believe Epinions is a great site, but is lacking in so many ways. A "do you own this product?" should also be added to the reviews - yes. Even the question "would you recommend to a friend" is a questionable statement. The product may be lacking, enough not to recommend, but if it is the only game in town, then I may recommend.
Question: Is there a place where epinions has a list of requested improvements? Does anyone know if any improvements are coming?
2) This review was not meant to be a slight on PowerTouch specifically (though the use of the FINGER is questionable); it was meant for toys of this type in general.
Epinions should have right under "Toys" a general review section for people picking toys. Someone mentioned moving this to Members Advice. Went there and saw no place where this could be added - I am not just throwing this amoungst the other "thousands". Unless it is grouped somewhere logical that people can read then what is the point.
e.g. I am leary about buying LCD monitors because of the fact that most manufacturers deam 10 dead pixels as working fine; and that most LCD monitors have a high failure rate with dead pixels. Such facts from users should be placed right under the section for LCD monitors etc.
3) Going back to point #1 - yes I don't own it. And if I opened it up it might be the best thing since slice bread. My kid may have hours and hours of fun.
But the premise of my post was (A) a computer is far better; if you can't afford or portability is an option one of these might suffice. (B) that the concept of using a finger was questionable. (C) the rest of my review..
If my goal is to make gazillions of dollars by recommending products I will recommend EVERYTHING - each fry I eat at McDonalds; each pub bathroom I visit and every Starbucks I drink from.
But my goal was to share MY THOUGHTS. Again rating me "OFF TOPIC" is good enough - if people read my comments and just "take it in" and then act or not act on it - fine.
Life isn't about knowing everything and acting on it. Life is about knowing your OPTIONS and then making valued judgements. Yes most may find the fact that I don't own this or LeapPad, that my comments are not credible. Fine. But if ONE person THINKS about what I have said and looks into the issues more deeply, regardless of what they do, I have made a difference..
.. that is why I posted. That is why I spent my VALUABLE time for a bunch of strangers. So that it may help someone.
I thank you all for your valued comments.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 53
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
bellyman
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Location: Richmond Hill, ON
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Self employed programmer; Father of two sons, wife
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