Chapter 1 About your Zip the Robot Learning PC Safety Catch Features Interactivity · Animated character · Challenges and praises 50 Activities · 17 Vocabulary/ Spelling/Grammar · 13 Math/Logic · 12 Games/Memory · 8 Computer Skills/ Tools Multimedia · Digital Sound/ Animation Expandability · Expand learning potential with our Smart Cards (each sold separately) Zip the Robot Learning PC is supplied with the following parts. Please contact your retailer should any parts be missing. 1 - Unit 2 - Mouse 3 - Mouse Pad 4 - Instruction Manual 5 - Key-chain Volume Switch Speaker Game Menu 1 Unit LCD Screen Contrast Switch Mouse Jack Left Mouse Button Left Cursor Button Instruction Manual 4 Keyboard Right Mouse Button Directional Cursor Button Key-chain 5 Right Cursor Button Smart Card Drive Mouse Pad 3 2 Mouse 1 Unit Handle Handle Mouse Jack Battery Cover Smart Card Drive AC Adaptor Jack Top Battery and Adaptor Requirements Battery Cover 2 Chapter 2 Getting Started Battery Installation 1. Make sure the unit is turned off. 2. Using a Phillips screwdriver, open the battery cover at the back of the unit. 3. Insert 4"AA" batteries. (Note the correct polarity: +, - ). 4. Replace the cover. (The unit is automatically turned on as soon as the batteries are installed or the adaptor is plugged in.) + - Your Zip the Robot Learning PC operates on 4 AA size batteries (not included) or a 9V AC adaptor (sold separately). Caution · Different types of batteries or new and used batteries are not to be mixed. · Only batteries of the same or equivalent type as recommended are to be used. · Remove all batteries when replacing. · Remove batteries from the unit if the unit is not going to be used for long periods. · Do not dispose of batteries in fire. · Non-rechargeable batteries are not to be recharged. · Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the toy before being charged. (if removable) · Rechargeable batteries are only to be charged under adult supervision. (if removable) · Exhausted batteries are to be removed from the toy. · The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited. AC Adaptor Connection Plug the adaptor into the adaptor jack on the left side of the unit. Plug the adaptor into a wall outlet. Caution · The unit must not be connected to more than a 9V power supply. · The unit must only be used with the recommended adaptor. · The adaptor is not a toy. · The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited. · Toys liable to be cleaned with liquid are to be disconnected from the transformer before cleaning. Auto-off The learning PC will be automatically turned off after about 5 minutes of no input from the player. 3 Mouse Connection 1. Ensure the unit is turned OFF. 2. Plug the mouse into the mouse jack on the right side of the unit. 3. Turn the unit ON. 4. To ensure the mouse is kept clean, keep it on a clean mouse pad. Mouse Jack Cleaning and Maintenance The unit should be regularly examined for damage to the cord, plug, enclosure and other parts. In the event of such damage, the unit must not be used with the adaptor until the damage has been repaired. Always disconnect the power supply before cleaning. Wipe the unit with a dry cloth. Do not get the unit wet. Do not dismantle the unit. Cleaning the Mouse Turn the round mouse-ball cover in counter-clockwise direction and lift open the cover. Take the ball out, and wipe the ball and the inside of the mouse with a dry cloth cleaning out all the dust. Starting Zip the Robot Learning PC Open the unit by pushing the safety catch located on the front of the unit. Turn on your Zip the Robot Learning PC using the [On] button located on the lower left of the keyboard. At the end of your session, remember to turn off the power using the [Off] button on the lower left of the keyboard. (Attention: Zip the Robot Learning PC has no data storage capacity.) 4 Chapter 3 Useful Features and Controls The Keyboard The keyboard operates in the same way as a real computer keyboard. The Mouse Move the mouse in the direction that you want to move the cursor arrow. (see How to Make a Selection and Submit Your Answer) The Cursor Buttons You can use this to control the cursor arrow. Press the arrowheads on the directional cursor button indicating the direction you want the cursor arrow to go. Then press either the left or the right cursor button to enter your selection. Cursor Arrow The mouse or the cursor buttons can control the cursor arrow. The Flashing Cursor This shows you the position in which the next keyboard entry will appear. Smart Card (sold separately) Do not scratch or damage the metal contact plate of the Smart Card. Only insert Oregon Scientific Smart Cards into the Smart Card drive. 1. Plug the Smart Card into the Smart Card drive on the right side of the unit. 5 The current activity will be interrupted and the Smart Card animation begins. After the title screens, a menu screen appears. On this menu screen are two direction icons and a title of one of the activities included on the Smart Card. 2. Use the arrow cursor or directional cursor button to scroll through the titles. 3. Press [Enter] to play the displayed activity. Expansion questions for the following activities are included on each Smart Card. Name of Smart Card Word Fun Spelling Fun Activities Cap-It, Mark Me!, Rhyme Time Word In Word, Sound Check, Sir Plus While the Smart Card is plugged in, only those activities included on the Smart Card are available. To play other games in the learning PC, unplug the Smart Card. Press [Game Code] to go to the Game Code screen, and enter a Game Code from the Game Menu. Demo When the [Demo] button is pressed, you will be shown a demonstration of some of the exciting features and activities on your Zip the Robot Learning PC. Volume You may adjust the volume to a lower setting. The volume switch is located at the lower left corner of the screen. Volume Switch 6 Contrast Depending on your surrounding lighting conditions, adjust the contrast for better viewing. The contrast switch is located at the lower right corner of the screen. Chapter 4 Game Selection From the game menu above the keyboard, choose a game. When the Game Code screen opens, enter the game code of the game you want to play. If no game is selected, Zip the Robot Learning PC will automatically make a selection for you. Press [Game Code] to go back to the Game Code screen anytime you want to play another game. Contrast Switch Game Selection Chapter 5 Game Rules (These apply to most games.) Attempts Game questions come in groups of 10. You will be given 3 attempts to answer each question. Points are awarded according to the number of attempts taken to answer each question correctly. Time Limit Each attempt to answer a question is timed (1 minute for levels 1-5, 30 seconds for level 6). If you are unable to answer the question in the allotted time period, it is counted as an incorrect attempt. The clock will reset after each incorrect attempt. 7 Scores If the question is answered correctly in the first attempt, 10 points are awarded. If the question is answered correctly in the second attempt, 6 points are awarded. If the question is answered correctly in the third attempt, 3 points are awarded. Score 85 points or higher after a group of 10 questions to go to the next HIGHER level of difficulty. Score 60 points or lower, to go to the next LOWER level of difficulty. Help Press [Help] to repeat the audio instruction prompt. Hints If you find any question too difficult, press the [Hint] button to get a clue. But remember you can only use a maximum of 2 hints per question, and a point will be deducted for each hint used. Summary Screen After a round of questions, a summary screen appears to show the score of the last round and whether you will go up a level, go down a level or stay at the same level. The summary screen disappears, and the game resumes automatically. Winning a Game Beat level 6 with a score of over 85 points and discover a special surprise. Good Luck! Chapter 6 Two-Player Mode Basics Go to two-player mode by pressing [Player1/2] . Return to one-player mode by pressing [Player1/2] again . Most games follow a basic format in the two-player mode. The left cursor button is the Player 1 button, and the right cursor button is the Player 2 button. 8 1. Initiate the two-player mode by pressing [Player 1/2] on the keyboard after the first question appears. The "Two-Player-sign-in screen" appears. 2. Player 1: Type in your name and press [Enter]. 3. Player 2: Type in your name and press [Enter]. The two-player mode screen disappears, and the names are saved. After the player sign-in screen has been filled in, the game proceeds similar to the one-player mode except the players must compete to answer the questions. The first player to hit his/her button (Player 1: left cursor button, Player 2: right cursor button) is awarded an attempt to answer the question. 1. If the first player answers the question correctly, points are awarded to the first player, and the game continues. If the first player answers the question incorrectly, the second player is invited to answer the question. 2. If the second player is correct, points are awarded to the second player, and the game continues. 3. If the second player is incorrect, the correct answer is revealed, and the game continues. Two-Player Game Rules Each attempt to answer a question is timed (1 minute for levels 1-5, 30 seconds for level 6). Each player is given one attempt to answer a given question. Ten points are given for the first correct answer and zero points for an incorrect answer. In the second attempt, 6 points are awarded. No hints are available in the two-player mode. Game questions come in groups of ten. After a group of ten questions, the summary screen will show both players' scores and announce the winner. Chapter 7 Make a Selection and Submit Your In some games, you must select your answer from a list shown on the screen. Mouse Keys Arrow cursor Cursor Buttons 9 Method 1 1. Press the arrows on the directional cursor button to move the arrow cursor over the chosen object. 2. Press the left cursor button once. Method 2 1. Use the mouse to move the arrow cursor over the chosen icon. 2. Press the left-button on the mouse once. Method 3 Press the letter key that corresponds to the choice. a > Spatter b > Platter c > Cider d > Sputter Method 4 In some cases, you do not need to make a selection. Use the keyboard to type in your answer at the flashing cursor. Type in the answer Method 5 Press [Enter] or either cursor button when the object you want to select is directly above the monkey's hand (Monkeyshines), the monster (Monster Mash) or under the dropper (Cap-it). MONKEY SHINES MONSTER MASH CAP-IT 10 Chapter 8 Scroll Sometimes there will be more information than can be displayed on the screen. In such cases, there will be a "scrollbar". Move the cursor arrow over the arrow tips on the scroll bar, and press the left cursor button. Chapter 9 Spelling (Games and Game Codes) (01) Plug It In Remember the animated vocabulary word presented by Zip the Robot. After the animation, the vocabulary word appears with a missing letter. Type in the missing letter. (02) Mumbo Jumbo The word that Zip the Robot says is shown scrambled. Unscramble the word and spell the word correctly in the given spaces. (03) Show & Spell An animated vocabulary word is shown briefly. Spell the word in the spaces given. Each space represents a letter. (01) (02) (03) 11 (04) Monkeyshines A word with an extra letter scrolls across the top of the screen. When the extra letter is directly above the monkey's hand, press [Enter] or either cursor button to remove it. (05) Sound Check An animated vocabulary word is briefly shown, and the word is said. From the four words shown on the screen, select the word that begins with the same sound. (06) Sir Plus Below the word shown, type in its plural form. (04) (05) (06) Word (07) Cap-it A sentence scrolls across the bottom of the screen. 1. Identify the letters that should be capitalized. 2. When the desired letter is underneath the dropper, press [Enter] or either cursor button so the magic potion will capitalize the letter. (08) Phonics Fun Press letter keys and learn the alphabet. (09) Mark Me! A sentence without the correct punctuation mark scrolls across the screen. Replace the blank with the correct punctuation mark. Use the keys or the left cursor button to select the proper punctuation mark from the choices given below the sentence. (You can make the sentence scroll faster by pressing any key.) (07) (08) (09) 12 (10) Double Dare Challenge your opponent to solve a mystery word. 1. Player 1: Type in a word (maximum 7 letters) without Player 2 seeing it, and press [Enter]. 2. Player 2: Guess the word one letter at a time, and use the keyboard to type in your (10) guesses (maximum 8 wrong attempts). 3. Player 2: T ...