Can anyone compare Learning RX/PACE to the Brainware Safari exercises?

[Laurie4b]

My current plan for ds had been to finish vision therapy and then go on to do Learning Rx. However, looking over the Brainware Safari software that is available through Homeschool Buyer's Coop, I'm wondering if it will cover the same ground.

Could one of you who has done PACE or Learning Rx take a look at the Brainware Safari and let me know how much of an overlap there is?

It would be a real gift to not have to drive 2 hr. roundtrip and pay $3000 for Learning Rx if we didn't have to!

[Laurie4b]

Sorry! My first post didn't show up on my computer at first.

[Kathy in MD]

I did BrainSkills, the stripped down home version of PACE, several years ago. From looking at the web site, I can't tell how much overlap there would be because I can't tell what sort of excersises or the level of difficulty Brain Safari is doing for each category.

Brain Safari didn't mention many of the cognitive and other skills BrainSkills covers. These include processing speed, VT, ST, math facts and **teaching** one common way to improve long term memory (it's hokey, but it works). I also didn't see from the sample on line that Brain Safari excercises work on more than one or two cognitive areas at a time. In BrainSkills the student works up to working on processing speed, working memory, VT, visual processing and math facts in one excercise. I'm not sure how a computer program would work on sensory problems, but BrainSkills had several sensory excercises that involved moving the hands and feet and directionality.

I did see in Brain Safari's examples at least one different type of logic excercise. Logic was one area I thought BrainSkills was weak in (Learning Rx has a special logic program though) Brain Safari also talked about teaching flow and some other things BrainSkills didn't discuss in their literature, but I didn't see any examples on how they did this so I don't know if they find that's just the result of the excecises or if there are specific excercises.

A couple of other things. The parents said that they didn't have to push their children, so I wonder just how in depth and helpful it would be. BrainSkills did have fun excecises (which would vary somewhat by the child's skill) but it was hard work at times. But my ds can now do things I can't begin to do, and I'm no academic slouch. Reinforcing this thought is that BrainSafari is considered ideal for children ages 8-12. BrainSkills was designed for people 8 (and it would be hard at this age!) through adult. Also Brain Safari doesn't mention how long to work at it in one sitting. BrainSkills recommended one hour which builds up mental endurance.

Having said all this, at this low price I'd be tempted to do Brain Safari and see if you recieved the gains you hoped for. If not, it should be a good warm up for LearningRx. I know my ds enjoyed having done similar but easier excercises in VT prior to doing the harder versions in BrainSkills. Personally, I'm tempted to get it to see if it's logic portion would help my ds.

[Laurie4b]

Thanks so much for the info. Yes, the price is pretty irresistable! Phooey though, I really did want to be able to cross off 6 months of driving 2 hour round trips twice a week for $3000 off my next year's schedule, KWIM?

[Sandra in FL]

do it at home instead of the 2 hour drives and $3000? Can one even do a used copy of Brainskills, BTW?

Sandra

[Laurie4b]

Dunno. I thought Brainskills was no more, right? If it's this kind of software, they usually only license it to one person.

[Kathy in MD]

Thanks so much for the info. Yes, the price is pretty irresistable! Phooey though, I really did want to be able to cross off 6 months of driving 2 hour round trips twice a week for $3000 off my next year's schedule, KWIM?

Laurie,

There's a VERY remote possibility that Tara from Florida may have found another unused BrainSkills.

I also believe that she was involved in beta testing the new home based, cognitive skills program by Dr. Stephey (sp). Dr. Stephey is the developmental optometrist who has been so helpful on another LD/reading list I used to frequent. There have been several speculative (positive)posts on his program because of his background, including experience with PACE. I think I saw a post several months ago that it's now available. If you can't find him because I misspelled his name again, Rod or Claire could help.

BTW, does anyone have any idea what happened to Claire?

Added:
This link will lead you to a thread with price and contact info on Dr Stephey's product: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14792&highlight=cogcal

[KatKat]

I bought this to use with my daughter , I tried twice to do the exercises with her but she is very uncooperative so I gave and I never registered the kit. I still have the code , username & password unused. If anyone is interested, I am selling the kit. I am overseas now but will be in the USA in September and can bring this kit with me. Thanks

[wheatonmomma]

I have a used copy for sale. I bought it used, then did not use it.
Please contact me if interested.
Christine

christinefield@sbcglobal.net

[deflector1006]

I have a chlld that did both Learning Rx and Brainware Safari. Doing the Learning Rx program was like pulling teeth. At first he complied but then refused. The Brainware Safari program was entirely different. He did not want to stop doing the program. He wanted to do it a couple hours a day. I had to limit it to one hour a day. He made it all the way through. About 3/4 of the way through he hit a wall and thought it was too hard to continue. After sitting there with him and repeatedly encouraging him to continue he was able to complete the exercise and then he wanted to do it again.

Brainware is easy and enjoyable. It's also way cheaper. It is a very comprehensive vision therapy program and as far as I am concerned it provides even more exercises than Learning Rx. My son is now at the top of his class in learning. His memory, ability to focus and stay centered, his processing speed, ability to connect the dots across information, and other aspects I can't put into words increased dramatically after doing Brainware. It was worth every penny. I think every child should do it. It can only help.

[aplusann]

I happened on this forum and would like to respond to the question from a professional's viewpoint. After this, I will not 'appear' on this forum unless invited. In other words, I'm not here to promote myself.

Having been a PACE provider (same cognitive training as Learning Rx Centers, just not a franchisee) for ten years, and having provided not only PACE, but also Brainware Safari and Brainskills to clients, I can tell you that the real difference for the student is in person-to-person contact with a skilled, supportive trainer. Benefits of PACE/Learning Rx: (1) the constant observation and upward modifications made for the child when he or she is face-to-face with an experienced trainer, (2) the encouragement and reinforcement from a real, warm person, and (3) the fact that the trainer, NOT Mom, is taking the heat when the going gets more challenging or the child drags her darling feet when it's time to go to the computer (hear Mom nagging). If distance is a problem, the online training programs are effective as a supplement to PACE or Learning Rx's training (so you could see the trainer less often) and can be the best option if the student is at a significant distance from the trainer and has a fast internet connection (or if the family absolutely cannot manage the PACE training expense).

Parents and I have witnessed as very disoriented, extremely dyslexic, immature children have gotten a GRIP and matured before our eyes over the three month period of PACE training. A teenage boy who was wasting his potential, making bad grades, did PACE with me. Two years later, his mother brought the second child to do PACE. I asked her about Michael: "After we finished PACE training, Michael stepped up to the plate, took the initiative on all his homework and raised his grades. He has just been accepted at University of Colorado, where he has always wanted to go to college!" Her investment of time and money paid off in exactly what she had hoped for her son. I could go on... I don't think you could get this kind of payback from a computer program alone.

The only times I have not seen great results with one-to-one training are two cases (in ten years) in which the child was clearly in control at home and was not compliant with the home practice. One bright, strong-willed dd resisted the entire time, so made okay progress, not what she could have gained. In other cases, there is almost always a point where a willing child gets discouraged at difficult levels, so we help him see the changes that are happening and support him all the way through. I hope this is helpful!

[kht2006]

this is all very helpful. thanks!

[burleygirl]

My daughter did PACE 3 years ago. Her gains were significant on her posttest. The training with the tutor was definitely worth it. It was difficult sometimes doing the homework because my daughter struggled with the metronome exercises (AAD, AST, etc.). She is dyslexic. However, this helped her with nonsense words and a host of other issues, attention, focusing, etc. She was still not at age on 1 of the areas but I think that is due to the dyslexia. We still do SETS at home sometimes. After reading about Brain Safari, I think we are going to do that over the summer just to sharpen her skills a little more. I still have the material at home but sometimes she is not cooperative. Sacrificing the time (trainer lived 45 minutes from our home) and the money was worth it.