More INFORMATION
 About WORDY
(Than you may want to know)

WORDY was designed to be a tool for the many families who want God's Word to be part of the daily life of their whole family. To that end we created  WORDY for Windows™. I sincerely hope and pray that "WORDY for the Family" will be a helpful and encouraging tool in this endeavor. The paragraphs below give some fairly detailed information about what WORDY is and how it works.

                                                                                                         Bob Rue

        TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. NEW FEATURES
2. WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT WORDY?
    - Purpose and Background
    - WORDY as an Educational Tool 
    - A Word About Competition 
3. QUICK OVERVIEW
4. USING WORDY AT HOME
    - Parent's Dilemma 
    - A Plan of Attack
5. WORDY WALKTHROUGH
    - Signing In
    - Before You Begin...
    - Select a Mode
6. WORDY MODE 1
7. WORDY MODE 2
8. WORDY MODE 3
9. WORDY MODE 4
10. SCORING
    - Scoring Screens
    - ScoreTracking
11. HANDLING VERSE SETS
    - Verse Set and Version Control
    - Editing Verse Sets
12. ADDING and CHANGING VERSE SETS 
    - Adding Verse Sets
    - Editing Verse Sets
    - Adding Verses
    - Modifying Verses
    - Deleting Verses
13. LESSON PLANNING FOR THE PARENT/TEACHER

ABOUT WORDY

 1. SOME NEW FEATURES
-This new version of WORDY has been developed for Windows  with multimedia sounds, music and animation. 
- Players who are new to WORDY will appreciate the built-in help that answers most of their questions at the click of   the right mouse button.
- Keeping track of your progress is fun with a new Scoring Screen that has some ZOOM to it  as your race car moves upward toward the finish line. The "Two Player" scoring screen with two cars gives you a real idea of just how close the competition is!
- Serious students will appreciate the Score Tracking mode that gives order to your memorization progress. Not only does Score Tracking take you through the WORDY modes and levels in an orderly fashion, it stores this progress on each of your last five verse sets and begins there on your next session.
- Forget how you signed in on your last session? No problem! New WORDY allows you to search the previous players names.
- And we've added "WORDY", a character for younger WORDY players to identify with.
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2. WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT WORDY?

Purpose and Background
Who said Scripture memory work has to be drudgery? It is a surprise to some folks when they find out that Scripture memorization can be fun! One of the more gratifying experiences I treasure from teaching classes in scripture memorization is witnessing the reaction of beginning students when they discover this fact. This pleasure becomes a significant motivation in their ongoing efforts. Now, it may be of no great surprise to you that modern computer games can also be fascinating (maybe even addictive). These games demonstrate the power of the computer and software to reach into the minds of all of us. One of the primary goals in the development of WORDY was to make it fun to use and to make the payoff for Scripture memorization as immediate as possible. Fun is not, however, the whole story of WORDY. We believe that WORDY is more than just fun and games.

WORDY as an Educational Tool
The second primary goal of WORDY is to make it a natural and easy-to-use tool for the parent/teacher. WORDY is built such that Modes 1 through 4 are progressively more difficult. In addition, the four levels of difficulty are of course graduated as well. Another result of this emphasis on progression is the way we have constructed the included verse sets, with approximately one-third verse overlap between sets. A suggested approach to the use of these sets in a systematic manner may be found in Section 13 below.
WORDY is not a panacea for every Scripture memorization need. It specializes in motivation. Some memorization will take place as WORDY is used, the amount depends on the individual, but it will be most effective if accompanied by an adjunct program of memorization.

A Word about Competition
Competition - is it good or bad? Obviously, it can be detrimental when found in the extreme, but then, so can eating too many apples! We believe it has its place as part of the motivational tool, especially one that is being used under supervised conditions. WORDY offers two types of competition.
First, it keeps score and, if you are in the Score Tracking Mode, it stores that score for future reference. The single student may then compete with themselves as they compare their achievements with their previous accomplishments.
Secondly, there can be two players who either take turns or try to be the first to recognize a verse. It is important to appreciate that each student is unique in how they respond to direct competition.
If a student (particularly one who is just beginning to read) is observed to be reacting negatively under stress of competition (even if self-imposed), then some measures ought to be taken to minimize this. The key word is "observed". WORDY ought to be used with supervision. This implies that the parent/teacher is aware of the student's actions. One way of handling this problem is to participate with the student in a "team" effort. Studies have shown that team competition is a way to defuse the stress problem. You may want to work as a "partner" with the child, at least for a period of time, sharing the learning experience together.
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3. A QUICK OVERVIEW
Operating WORDY is as intuitive as we can make it. An overall view can be helpful, however, in giving perspective on how to use it best.
After the opening screen is through with its music and dynamics, WORDY asks you to decide, first of all whether there will be one or two players and then asks for their names. It uses these names to "direct the show" and keep track of the overall scores. WORDY may be played in any of four operational modes at one of four levels of difficulty. Each increase in mode and level increases the opportunity for amassing score. A verse is selected either "at random" or "in order" from the active verse set. As you play, either this verse's "words" or "references" are displayed (depending on the mode selected.) Your task is to find the associated reference or verse words. Scoring for each verse is based on a starting score from which points are subtracted for errors by the player such as taking too long to respond. WORDY accumulates these scores over ten sessions and then shows these on a Scoring screen.
After each verse, you are given the choice of 1) continuing with the next verse, 2) viewing your session scoring progress for the present session, 3) returning to the Mode Selection screen, or 4) quitting the session by returning to the "Before You Begin" screen.
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4. USING WORDY AT HOME
Parent's Dilemma
One of the questions facing the parent/teacher is "What control or supervision is required to get the most benefit from WORDY?" Too much control could limit spontaneity and result in the "It can't be any fun because it's supposed to be good for me." feeling. Unlimited and uncontrolled access could result in limiting progress to lower levels of achievement. Also, long periods of video screen usage are not good for eye development of young children. The answer, of course, is somewhere in between based on the primary goals which you have in mind and the specific student. The secret is to be aware of the level and type of progress that is being made.

A Plan of Attack 
Assuming that your main purpose is to motivate, you, as the parent/teacher should involve yourself in the WORDY operation. See for yourself what it takes to be successful at WORDY. Make sure the student understands the basics. They should be aware of facts such as; adjacent verse sets share common verses. Point out that the overall total score for each verse set is a combination of the scores from all the WORDY modes. If possible, interest the student in embarking on a longer range plan of memorization that gives each session meaning beyond the present.
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5. WORDY WALKTHROUGH
Signing In
The first decision after the "Welcome to WORDY" screen appears is whether you are going to compete as an individual or along with someone else. As a single player, click the "1" screen button. If there are two players, click the "2" button. You will be asked to enter your name(s) of 9 characters or less, and you will be on your way. Note that if you are a single player, by entering "YES" in the name field you may see the player's names used in past games. You may then choose one of those names or select "Continue" to enter a name.

Before You Begin...
After pressing enter on the sign in screen, the "Before You Begin" screen will give you some more options that include,
- Selection of the level of difficulty
- Turning the sounds "ON" or "OFF"
- Selection of verses will be selected. In order (Fixed) or at random (Mixed)
- Quitting (QUIT) WORDY or
- Going back to the previous screen (RESET) if you are in the single player mode.
Other important decisions are whether to use the default verse set and whether to use Score Tracking or not. If you decide to change these, choose the "YES" button, What happens then is explained in the VERSE EDIT section below. When ready to play, press the "GO" button.

Select a Mode
The screen for Mode selection with an eye that keeps watch, allows you to choose Modes 1 through 4 by clicking on the appropriate "door". Each door has descriptive titles that remind you what each Mode does. The "playing" part WORDY game now begins! 
The next paragraphs 6 through 9 describe what each Mode does in more detail.
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6. WORDY MODE 1
The MODE 1 playing screen opens with a stack of words from a verse that WORDY has chosen at random from the active verse set (whose name is shown at the upper left of your screen.) A set of lines appear that form the underlines of the words in that verse, followed by the Scripture reference of that verse. The task is simple: select the words of the verse in proper order from the stack by clicking a mouse button on the box containing the correct word. As you select the correct words, you are rewarded by WORDY through screen messages and sounds and the word will appear in its proper place in the verse. If incorrect words are selected you are also notified by the appropriate message and sound, however two other actions take place.
One of the seven flames on the candelabra graphic will go out leaving one less flame burning, and your score (shown below the candelabra) will be reduced by one seventh of the starting value. After you have successfully identified all the words for that verse or if you have missed seven words, you will be given the opportunity to continue reviewing verses, view the session scoring progress, or leave the present session. You may go back to the "Before You Begin..." screen by using the "Return to GO" button, or go to the Mode screen by clicking "Change Mode". If the session is complete, that is, ten verses have been reviewed, the scoring progress screen will automatically appear.
For some verses, you may notice a number with a negative sign at the end of the underlines. This is an indication that due to the large number of words in the verse, WORDY has not used all of them, but has left that many off.
For those of us that sometimes have mental blocks, a "HINT" button has been included. By selecting this button you will automatically be shown the first (or next) word of the verse. To receive this favor, however, will cost you one candle (and resultant score decrease.)
If it a two players game, players are asked to take turns reviewing verses. WORDY will inform you whose turn it is.
Here are some MODE 1 Playing Pointers:
If your mind draws a blank from the reference given, try scanning the stack for words that will trigger your memory. If this fails or time is running out, you may want to select the "HINT". It will cost you a candle and some score but you are about to lose it anyway and it just might get you started. The underline lengths are proportional to the size of the needed words. You can use this as a clue.
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7. WORDY MODE 2
The MODE 2 screen appears very much as the MODE 1 screen except for one thing, there are words in the stack that don't belong to the verse! Your task, of course, is to select only those words that do belong. To make it a little easier, you don't have to select the words in order. Selecting the wrong word, or selecting it more times than it occurs in the verse are errors that will cost you some score. The rest of WORDY MODE 2 play is identical to MODE 1 described above.
Here are some MODE 2 Playing Pointers:
The playing pointers for MODE 1 also apply to MODE 2. In addition, you may find it helpful, once you have identified the verse by its reference, to use a pattern in scanning the stack, selecting the correct words as you go. After completing the scan, you can glance at the verse underline area and note the words still missing. At this point, having just scanned the whole stack, you may remember where the missing words are! You'll soon notice that you can't depend on the capitalization of words in the stack to help you out. WORDY has specifically removed this as a strategy for identifying correct words.
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8. WORDY MODE 3
The task in MODE 3 is to decide what reference goes with the verse WORDY has selected. The verse is progressively revealed until you decide that you recognize it and press the "STOP" button. While you are deciding, however, the score (indicated by the number in the "Score Box " and the water level in the tank in the upper right portion of the screen) is slipping away. The reference is shown in the screen below along with the references of the rest of the verses in the set as well. When you have located the reference, you click a mouse button on that box. WORDY will let you know if you have selected the correct reference by a screen message and sound and will award you the score that is left. If you wait too long or select the wrong reference, you are be informed by another message and sound, and will not receive any score for this verse. There is no hint button for this Mode.
After your reference selection you will be given the opportunity to either continue reviewing verses, view the session scoring progress, or quit the present session. As in Modes 1 and 2, you may go back to the "Before You Begin..." screen by using the "Return to GO" button, or go to the Mode screen by clicking "Change Mode". If the session is complete, that is, ten verses have been reviewed, the scoring progress screen will automatically be shown.
If there are two players, either of the players stop the verse from being revealed by pressing their specified key when they recognize the verse. Whoever is first to press their key gets the opportunity of adding to their session score, leaving the other player with no score for that verse. What makes it more interesting, is that if you stop the verse and don't select the correct reference, the other player gets the score you would have gotten!
Here are some MODE 3 Playing Pointers:
It is best if you do not try to search the stack for the verse reference while the verse is being revealed because it takes too much time to switch your attention between verse and stack. In fact, if you know the verse set well, it is good scoring strategy to stop the verse revelation while you are not yet exactly certain of the reference, especially in the 2 player game!
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9. WORDY MODE 4
In MODE 4, WORDY progressively reveals verse words as in MODE 3 except that the words are selected at random positions in the verse. The rest of the MODE 4 operation is the same as in MODE 3.
Here are some MODE 4 Playing Pointers:
The pointers for MODE 3 are valid for MODE 4 also. However since you can not be sure where the next word will be in the verse, you are somewhat less certain of how much that word may help.
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10. SCORING
Do you wonder, "Why keep scores in WORDY?" Good question! It deserves an answer better than, "All the other popular software packages have it". Beyond the fact that scores seem to help motivate the student/player, we feel that "keeping score" helps to add a broader and longer range perspective. The scoring in WORDY is more than "bragging rights", it is one measure of the memorization level attained on a particular set of verses. We have tried to minimize the effects of artifacts that are specific to WORDY such as giveaways due to capitalization and other unnatural clues. Realistically, this isn't entirely possible. We do believe that the correlation will be high between WORDY scores and corresponding verse set memorization. Therefore, similar total scores for different verse sets indicate roughly the same memorization levels.

Scoring Screens
WORDY remembers the Mode scores of each player while they are at a specific Level and displays them at the press of the "Show Score" button in the form of a race car progress graph along with accompanying "racing" sounds. The Scoring Progress screen will also indicate the "Session Score" as the sum of the ten verse scores in that session, and show the "Total Score" for the that Level as a sum of these mode session scores. When you change to a different Level these scores are set to zero unless you are in the Score Track mode (see the next paragraph). During two player games, in Mode 1 and 2 the scoring screen appears after each pair of verses but keeps score for the whole session. 

Score Tracking
If you click the "Toggle ScoreTracking" button "ON" on the "Verse Set Screen", you are in the "ScoreTrack" mode and two things are happening. First your progress in playing is being tracked and WORDY will place you at the Level and Mode indicated by your previous scoring record. To do this, WORDY stores your scoring progress so it can use it for the next game session. 
to progress from mode to the next, you must get at least 80% of the possible score for that mode. You can see your total scores for the last five Score Tracked verse sets by selecting the "HISTORY" button just below the "Score Tracking" button.
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11. HANDLING VERSE SETS
Verse Set and Version Control
You may see and change to other verse sets by selecting "YES" in the "Before You Begin..." screen. This will take you to the "VERSE SET CHANGE" screen where you can select from different verse sets presently in your Wordywin directory by clicking to highlight them in the "Select Verse Set" box and pressing the associated "OK" button. You may review the verses contained in the active set by selecting the "PREVIEW" button. When you have completed your changes, you may return to the "Before You Begin..." screen to continue with your play by selecting the "DONE" button.
You will notice that each verse set has an "extension" that denotes the version of the verses in that set. The "Select Version" box initially has two; KJV and NIV. By clicking "NIV" to highlight it and pressing the nearby "OK" button, available verse sets of that version appear in "Select Verse Set" box and may be made available for WORDY play using the above change method. Only verse sets in the KJV and NIV are shipped with WORDY. If you have added verse sets with other versions (or extensions) you may search for them by selecting the "VER" button and entering your search extension in the window that will appear in the "Select Version" box. The new version can then be selected as described above. At this time, WORDY does not remember this new version from game to game.
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12. CREATING and CHANGING VERSE SETS 
Creating a New Verse Sets
You are encouraged to add your favorite verses to WORDY by creating your own personal verse sets! You do this by selecting the "EDIT" button on the "Verse Set" screen (You will find it just below the "PREVIEW" button). As you look at the bottom left of the resulting "VERSE SET EDITOR" screen, you will see a button called "New Verse Set". Select this to begin creating your new verse set. Input the new verse name in the little window box and select "ADD". After accepting the default version or inputting a different version you should then continue by adding at least one verse to your new set as described in the "Adding Verses" paragraph below.

Editing Verse Sets
As you look toward the upper portion of the "VERSE SET EDITOR" screen (which you may reach using the method described in item 12 above), you will see three major buttons that have self descriptive titles telling you what they can do to the selected verse set. All of the verse sets included with WORDY are "Protected" and cannot be edited. Any "Present Verse Set" may be printed using the "PRINT Verse Set" button. 

Adding Verses
If you have just created a new set you will want to chose the middle button, "Add A Verse" to add a verse. Enter the verse in the first box then tab over to the Reference box and enter the verse reference. When these are complete, press the "Add Now " button. A confirmation message will appear when this is completed. You may proceed by adding as many other verses as you wish before selecting the "Leave EDITOR" button. You may want to then use the "Preview" function in the Editor screen to check your work.

Modifying Verses
Selection of the "Modify a Verse" button allows you to click on a verse to select it. Press "DONE", to return to the editor screen with the selected verse inserted in the "Verse Edit" box. You may change the verse (or the reference) as needed then finalize these changes by pressing the "Modify Now" button. A confirmation message will appear when this is completed. As above, you may want to use the "Preview" function to check your work.

Deleting Verses
You may delete a verse from the Present Verse Set by selecting the "Delete a Verse" button and clicking on a verse in the "Select a Verse to Delete" screen and pressing "DONE". Finalize the deletion by pressing the "Delete Now" button. A confirmation message will appear when this is completed. If you are planning to delete the whole verse set it would be more appropriate to use Windows Explorer since empty Verse Sets can be a nuisance.
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13. LESSON PLANNING FOR THE PARENT/TEACHER
The use of WORDY as a tool for learning Scripture should always keep in mind that it is primarily a motivational device. As such, it should be used as an adjunct to other methods such as flash cards and rote repetition, or Scripture verse songs.
It seems that the best plan for any student, regardless of age, who is embarking on a WORDY-aided memorization course, is to start with the basic verse set "1", and proceed from there. You will want to monitor the student's progress in order to tailor the course to the unique capabilities of each pupil.
However, we believe that a total score for a given Level (i.e., scores over all of the Modes in that Level) of 70% for preschoolers (e.g., 700 for Level 1), and 80% for intermediates, is about the minimum for advancement to the next Level. Score Tracking requires at least 80% in each Mode to advance. The optimum will vary from student to student, of course. You should be aware that it is not feasible to score 100% in the Modes 3 and 4 .
The included verse sets, "1" through "9", comprise a group of verse sets that can be used as a basis for a graduated Scripture memorization course curriculum. Beginning with the most basic set, Verse Set "1" (in KJV or NIV), each set is, on the average, somewhat larger and has longer and more complete verses than the one preceding it. Each set, however, will have approximately one third of the verses in common with the verse sets either above or below it. The number of unique verses included in these sets is 82. The default set, WORDY, is primarily for WORDY program familiarization. Contact us at the address below, for more information concerning availability of future verse sets.
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