Definitions What is a "Baseline"? What is a "Brain Log"? What is "Chaining"? What is "Chunking"? What is a "Digit Span"? What is "Sequential Processing"? Understanding BrainBuilder How do I install BrainBuilder? How do I turn off the professor? How do I turn off the sound effects? How do I change the visual display speed? How do I adjust the activity level? How do I backup my progress data? How do I restore my progress data? What are the system requirements to run BrainBuilder? Who should use BrainBuilder? What operating systems is BrainBuilder compatible with? What version of BrainBuilder do I have? Using BrainBuilder Why isn't the professor talking? Why aren't the sounds working? Why won't my backup data restore? Why do I get a "Activity Timed Out" message during the Intensity Activity? Why do the colors of the program look funny? Why doesn't Brain Builder write the numbers in the activities when I press the numbers on the numeric keypad on my keyboard? Why is the program so small? Why won't my Brain Log entries save? Why can't I make a progress report for some or all of the activities? How do I clear my user information? Solutions What do I do if I get the "Another application is currently using your sound device" message? What do I do if I get the "computer time is inconsistent, activity time is later than the computer time. Please delete the user or exit and set the clock" message? Why does the program tell me that I have the wrong answer when I am right? Why won't BrainBuilder work with my printer? Why does the sound cut off at the end of a word? How do I fix the "error 105" and "error 104" during installation? What do I do if the program color is too dark to see?

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

Brain Builder™ 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 Brain Builder™ 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.

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Installing BrainBuilder

Windows To install BrainBuilder in Windows, complete the following steps in order: Start Windows 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. Back to top Macintosh To install BrainBuilder on a Macintosh, complete the following steps in order: Start Macintosh (OS 8.5 & lower only) 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. Back to top

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Back to top   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 Back to top

Intended users of BrainBuilder

BrainBuilder is recommended for adults and for children as young as 4 with guidance.

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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 -> BrainBuilder 3.0 -> BrainBuilder. From there you can create a shortcut if you want.

BrainBuilder 3.0 is also compatible with Mac OS 8.5 and lower.

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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.

1. 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.



2. 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.



3. 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.


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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 "Use Professor" is selected under the Preferences menu.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Funny Colors in Program

If the colors on Brain Builder seem strange, you may have your color depth set too low. From the Start menu of Windows (not Brain Builder), 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).

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No Numbers

You must have the NumLock key down in order for Brain Builder to correctly interpret your keystrokes from the numeric keypad.

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Small Window

The graphics for Brain Builder are designed to fit any screen with a resolution of at least 640x480. If your screen is set at a very high resolution, Brain Builder will appear small. To decrease (or increase) the resolution of your screen, press the Start menu button of Windows (not Brain Builder), 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 Brain Builder bigger), slide the bar to the left. To increase your screen resolution (make Brain Builder smaller), slide the bar to the right.

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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.

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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.

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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 or click here. Make sure you are on the same computer that BrainBuilder is installed on. (Note: Uninstalling BrainBuilder will not remove these files.)

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Message: "another application is currently using your sound device"

This is a known error that has to do with your system's time stamp.
Click here to fix this problem

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Message: "computer time is inconsistent, activity time is later than the computer time. Please delete the user or exit and set the clock"

This is a known error that has to do with your system's time stamp.
Click here to fix this problem

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Program Tells Me I am Wrong When I am Right

This is a known error, with a known solution.
Click here to fix this problem

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Printer Won't Work with BrainBuilder

This is a known error that has to do with printer driver compatibility.
Click here to fix this problem

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Sound Cuts Off at the End of a Word

This is a known error that occurs when BrainBuilder is used with certain sound cards.
Click here to fix this problem

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Fixing the "error 105" and "error 104" During Installation

This is a known error, with a known solution.
Click here to fix this problem.

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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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