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A problem for many children learning to spell is that there is too much singular reliance on memory and not enough focus on these other vital cues that they could also be using to help put the spelling 'puzzle' together.
Spellcaster is based on the principles of phonological awareness, that is the ability to identify and manipulate the letters that make up the sounds of our language. The Spellcaster system explores the sounds of individual letters and letter combinations within words, and from these provides excellent spelling strategies.
The challenge in producing a computer-based spelling program was to incorporate these strategies for children to master within a progression of levels. It had to provide instruction appropriate to individual learning styles, keep track of their progress, require little or no external intervention, and give instant feedback. And above all, the system had engage the learner; it had to be fun and had to work!
Spellcaster teaches spelling by introducing easily understood phonetic rules. All words can be broken up phonetically into 'sounds.' By learning the single letter, and letter combinations that make those sounds, a huge number of words in our language can then be accurately spelt.
A big downside with the English language is that a lot of words are pronounced quite differently to their written form, which is a problem with learning through phonetics. But in saying that, a strong phonetic understanding gives students an excellent base to start from. A student spelling with this phonetic knowledge will be able to correctly spell a new word, or at least be able to come up with a very close approximation for it. It makes learning to spell so much easier, and helps to reinforce correct pronunciation.
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