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Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Builder
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If you still need help or have another question, please contact
us.
Baseline
When you, or any new user, do any activity for the first time,
BrainBuilder will set a baseline. This
determines how many numerals you will be asked to remember when you perform the activities in the future.
Brain Log
In the Brain Log, you rate yourself in each of five categories on a scale from one to ten; with one being
"extremely poor" and ten being an "excellent" rating. Of course, your rating is entirely subjective. Keep in mind
that you don't rate yourseslf against anyone else, only against yourself. To change your rating, simply click the
mouse on the line connected to each of the five categories.
There is also a notepad, used for entering any additional comments about your state of being. If you had a bad day
at school or the office, or if you just won the lottery, this also affects your mental state. However, these major
events are only a part of what happens on a daily basis. Perhaps the most useful function of the notepad is keeping
a good log of your everyday health. How many hours did you sleep? What particularly have you eaten? What kind of
exercise have you had? These types of entries are of great importance and can lend a heightened understanding to your
perception of what it takes to best build your brain. Keeping good comments in the notebook can be of real value. To
write in the notebook, just click on it and type away. To move up or down within the notebook, scroll using the arrow
keys.
The five areas considered in the brain log are: health, sleep, diet, exercise, and focus.
Chaining
Chaining is the process of building a sequence of numbers by linking them together. Example:
The program presents the following sequence:2 3 0 5 7 6. The user is performing chaining if he/she
tries to remember this sequence by thinking: two, two-three, two-three-zero, two-three-zero-five, etc.
Chunking
Chunking is the process of grouping individual numbers together. Example: The program presents
the following sequence:1 2 2 5 1 1. If the user remembers this sequence as: twelve, twenty-five, and
eleven; or as: one-twenty-two and five-eleven, then he/she has chunked the numbers.
Digit Span
An accurate representation of one's ability to process information is their digit span, or in other
words, a measure of their auditory and visual sequential processing. This is the basis for cognitive
sequential thought, and thus the framework upon which many mental functions are based.
Digit span is measured by how many digits can be taken in through the eyes or ears and repeated in
the correct order.
It appears that a typical five year old, for example, will have a digit span of five. A seven year
old's digit span is normally seven, and usually will not increase more than one or two digits
throughout adulthood. The generally accepted "normal" digit span for individuals over the age of
seven is considered to be in the range of five to nine digits (7 plus or minus 2).
Sequential Processing
Psychologists and educators call it sequential processing. It's our ability to receive, hold, process,
and utilize information in an orderly way. Sequential processing ability is an aspect of short-term
memory (STM) which is essential to learning and every mental process, including every level of verbal
communication. Better visual and auditory sequential processing enables us to take in more of what there
is to see and hear. It determines how quickly and clearly we can grasp concepts with 3 or 5 or 7 components.
And it determines how effectively we can express ourselves to others.
If sequential processing capacity is limited, it's a little like not having enough RAM in your computer.
Some things work just fine. Others work, but s-l-o-w-l-y, or more crudely. And certain things become
impossible-resulting in frustration.
When a computer has more RAM it can store more information and it can also work more quickly. The same idea
applies to creating more processing space in human short-term memory. The more you can take in sequentially,
the more efficiently you can store information in long-term memory and bring it up quickly when it is needed.
Until recently most psychologists believed that sequential processing capacity increased throughout early
childhood and then stopped. Some individuals had better skills than others, but the capacities of an
individual could not be expected to change much after the age of seven.
Over the last 20 years, in experience with over 15,000 individuals, the National Academy for Child
Development® has successfully taught many children and adults to significantly accelerate or expand their
auditory and visual sequential processing abilities, resulting in huge gains in academic achievement and
overall life success.
BrainBuilder is a product of these years of research and practice. It was designed to offer those proven
methods in a simple, fun, easy-to-use format, with automatic record keeping built in. It’s like an exercise
program to upgrade your brain’s "RAM" for better, faster processing.
By using BrainBuilder regularly, you will experience a gradual increase in your auditory and visual
sequential processing capacities. This means you will be able to receive, use, and communicate more
information more quickly and efficiently, without straining or using mental "tricks." Processing information
will be less confusing.
The result is less confusion and better communication. You’ll have less need to reread information or hear
it repeated, and faster, more accurate responses to real-life or academic problems. Naturally, this means
less stress, higher self-esteem, and greater satisfaction and all-around success in life.
Installing BrainBuilder
Windows
To install BrainBuilder in Windows, complete the following
steps in order:
- Start Windows 95/98/NT
- Place the BrainBuilder CD-ROM in the drive
- If your CD-ROM drive is Auto Play-Compliant, the installation
screen will be shown on the screen automatically. Click
the "Install" button to start installation
If the installation screen does not appear, proceed as
follows:
- From the Start menu (located at the
bottom left of your screen) select Run
- When the Run Window appears, type d:\setup
and press Enter (assuming d:
is your CD-ROM drive name; if it is not, enter the correct
drive name)
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
of BrainBuilder.
Once BrainBuilder has been installed you can launch the
program by going to the Start Menu\Programs\BrainBuilder.
Macintosh
To install BrainBuilder on a Macintosh, complete the following
steps in order:
- Start Macintosh
- Place the BrainBuilder CD-ROM in the drive
- Double-click the Installer icon
- Click Install
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
of BrainBuilder
Once BrainBuilder has been installed you can launch the program
by going to the Start Menu\Programs\BrainBuilder.
Turning Off the Professor
1. From the Main Screen in BrainBuilder, select the Preferences option.
2. Deselect the Use Professor option.
The professor will no longer congratulate you for correct answers or encourage you when you
have missed an answer. This option is saved when you exit the the Preferences section and
remains in effect for all following sessions until changed.
Turning Off the Sound Effects
1. From the Main Screen in BrainBuilder, select the Preferences option.
2. Deselect the Sound Effects option.
This option is saved when you exit the the Preferences section and remains in effect for
for all following sessions until changed.
Changing the Visual Display Speed
1. From the Main Screen in BrainBuilder, select the Preferences option.
2. Select the display speed from the drop menu next to the Visual Flash/Visual
Reverse Dipslay Speed option.
This controls the speed of the display for the two given activities. When this option does not match
your normal level, progress tracking is disabled.
Changing the Activity Level
1. From the Main Screen in BrainBuilder, select the Preferences option.
2. Select the activity level(s) from the drop menu(s) next to each activity.
This allows you to practice at higher or lower levels than your current level. This option is
only active for the current session and returns to default when you re-enter. When this option
does not match your normal level, progress tracking is disabled.
Backing your Progress Data to a Disk
1. From the Main Screen in BrainBuilder, select the Utilities option.
2. Select the Backup Progress Data to Disk option.
This allows you to save your hard-earned progress reports and should be used often. You will be
prompted to enter the location of the disk on which you wish to backup you data. It is recommended
that you backup your data in more than one place, and particularly that you backup to a
floppy disk. If necessary, the data can span across multiple disks. If this is the case, be sure
to number the disks for future use. The disks should be blank and formatted before using them for
backup. After choosing the location, the computer will write the data to the disk(s). You can then
restore your data at any time.
Restoring Progress Data from Backup
1. From the Main Screen in BrainBuilder, select the Utilities option.
2. Select the Restore Progress Data from Disk option.
This allows you to recover your hard-earned progress reports and in the event of accidental erasure
of your data. You will be prompted to enter the location of the disk on which your backup data is
located. You will be prompted for the last disk in the set and then the first. After this the computer
will cycle through the disks in the set, prompting you to enter each disk as needed. Take note that
restoring data from a disk will replace any data you currently have. Therefore, you should be careful
not to restore over a higher level that you have achieved since your last backup.
System Requirements for BrainBuilder
Windows
In order to properly run BrainBuilder, please be sure that
your PC meets the following specifications:
- 486 processor or better
- 8MB RAM
- Microsoft Windows 95-XP (English versions only)
- 640x480, 256-color display
- Double-speed CD-ROM drive
- Windows compatible sound card
Macintosh
In order to properly run BrainBuilder, please be sure that
your PC meets the following specifications:
- 68040 processor or higher, or PowerPC
- 8MB RAM
- OS 8.5 or lower (English versions only)
- 640x480 8 bit video
- Double-speed CD-ROM drive
Intended users of BrainBuilder
BrainBuilder is recommended for adults and for children as young as 4 with guidance.
Back to top
Operating Systems
BrainBuilder 3.0 is compatible with English versions Windows 95-XP.
The only difference with XP from the other operating systems is that
it does not create a shortcut on the desktop. You will need to run
it through Start -> Programs ->
BrainBuilder3.0 ->
BrainBuilder.
From there you can create a shortcut if you want.
BrainBuilder 3.0 is also compatible with Mac OS 8.5 and lower.
BrainBuilder Editions
There are 5 versions of BrainBuilder. Yours should be one of the
following three. All three of these are versions of 3.0, so make sure to read
them all.
- BrainBuilder 3.0 PC (Silver Package)
You will know that you have this version if your manual or CD has a silver cover
with a dimple pattern.
- BrainBuilder 3.0 PC (Color Package)
This version is very similar to the third one. The only difference is the listing
of operating systems. If your copy does not list MAC/OS on the cover or manual,then
you have this version.
- BrainBuilder 3.0 PC/MAC (Color Package)
If your manual or cd does list MAC/OS with the operating systems, then you have this version.
The Professor isn't Talking
There are several reasons why the Professor might not be talking. First of all, check to make sure you
have a sound device installed on your computer. Then check that your speakers are connected to your
computer and to their required power source (perhaps batteries, perhaps a plug, perhaps the computer),
and that they are turned up to a suitable level. If the Professor still doesn't talk, make sure that
The Sound isn't Working
This is probably one of the same problems as the previous question. After checking your hardware, make
sure that "Sound Effects" are selected under the Preferences menu.
My Backup Data Won't Restore
Make sure you have all the disks in your backup set, and that you have them in the correct order. Also,
check to see that you have specified the right drive for your backup location (namely the floppy drive).
Be certain to keep your backup disks in a dry place at a reasonable temperature to minimize the chance of
data loss due to physical problems.
Activity Timed Out During Intensity Activity
Do not be alarmed at the "Activity Timed Out" message. This is by design.
During the BrainBuilder intensity activity, the user has a set amount of
time to respond when he/she sees an "open eye" displayed on the screen.
If too much time elapses, the program assumes that the user is no longer
using the activity and displays the "Activity Timed Out" message. To avoid
this message from appearing, simply hit the space bar as soon as you see an
"open eye" appear.
Funny Colors in Program
If the colors on BrainBuilder seem strange, you may have your color depth set too low. From the Start
menu of Windows (not BrainBuilder), select Settings and then the Control Panel. Select Display, and
click on the Settings tab. On the bottom left of the screen, you should see a pull down menu entitled
"Colors." Pull that menu down and select at least 256 colors (but the more the merrier).
No Numbers
You must have the NumLock key down in order for BrainBuilder to correctly interpret your keystrokes
from the numeric keypad.
Small Window
The graphics for BrainBuilder
are designed to fit any screen with a resolution of at least 640x480.
If your screen is set at a very high resolution, BrainBuilder
will appear small. To decrease (or increase)
the resolution of your screen, press the Start menu button of Windows (not BrainBuilder), select Settings
and then the Control Panel. Select Display, and click on the Settings tab. On the bottom right of the
screen, you should see a slide bar entitled "Screen Area." To decrease your screen resolution
(make BrainBuilder bigger), slide the bar to the left. To increase your screen resolution (make BrainBuilder smaller),
slide the bar to the right.
Won't Save My Brain Log Entries
After entering a number for each of the five Brain Log areas, a button entitled "Save Entry" appears. You
must select this button for your Brain Log data to be saved.
I Can't Make a Progress Report
If you haven't used an activity, you can't make a progress report. Make sure you have used all the
activities in the time period you have specified. This should solve your problem.
Clear Your User Information
There are two .dat files that keep track of
BrainBuilder user data. These files are located in the Windows
directory and are named "rosebb.dat" and "rosebl.dat". Do not remove these files unless you intend to lose
all stored data in BrainBuilder. This will empty all your scores, users, and user data. To clear your user
data simply delete these two files.
Make sure you are on the same computer that BrainBuilder is installed on.
(Note: Uninstalling BrainBuilder
will not remove these files.)
What Do I Do if the Program Color Is Too Dark
to See?
One way to remedy this is to adjust the contrast and brightness of your monitor. Some monitors that are older
or have some unique settings or features are unable to display the green text clearly. Making some
adjustments has solved this problem in the past. Another method is to change the display resolution under the
control panel to a resolution of 800 X 600 or even bigger 640 X 480. This will allow the pixels and the text
to appear larger.
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Thursday, November 20, 2008
