Product Description

BrainBuilder® is a "neurobic", computer-based training program that is designed to assess and build auditory and visual sequential processing abilities. With as little as ten minutes of daily mental exercise powerful gains can be made in short-term memory and thinking skills. In an intensive series of adaptive, interactive exercises, BrainBuilder trains the brain to expand its ability to sequentially process auditory and visual information. Sequential processing is fundamental to all learning activities, communication, social interaction and higher order cognitive functions. The BrainBuilder Home Version allows up to five family members to use the program on a single computer. It includes all seven of the neurodevelopmental activities with individual data and progress reporting and analysis. This version of BrainBuilder is intended for families for private, personal use only.

System requirements:

Windows:

* 486 processor or better
* 8MB RAM
* Microsoft Windows 95 or higher (does not run on Vista)
* 640 X 480, 256 color display
* 2X CD-ROM drive
* Windows compatible sound card

Mac:

* 68040 processor or higher, or Power PC
* 8 MB RAM
* OS 7.1 to 8.5 (English versions only)
* 640 X 480, 8 bit video
* 2X CD-ROM drive

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3927 in Software
• Platforms: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Mac
• Format: CD

Customer Reviews

USEFUL EXERCISES
Brain Builder is a series of visual and auditory exercises aimed at improving attention, concentration and memory. This consists of seven exercises, one involving visual reaction speed and accuracy and six memorizing a sting of randomly generated numbers presented audiably or visually in one of three modes--BASE (straightforward) REVERSE (you must give back the string in reverse the order given) and FLASH (visual numbers presented one at a time instead of all at once like BASE) or RANDOM (auditory where you cope with numbers being read at an uneven pace). You are then immediately tested by having to type in what those were. There is no time limit on response. You progress to higher levels--which means memorizing more numbers faster during the viewing or listening--from an initially determined baseline test taken when first starting. Different voices--men, women, adults, and children--read the auditory presentations. All and all, I found it to be fairly sophisticated and the exercises do seem help even beyond matters of number memorization. The primary shortcoming seemed to be the lack of feedback or coaching other than telling you not to get discouraged and to keep working hard. Also, the progress summeraries (bar graphs) fail to take into account the higher levels for scoring purposes so day to day comparison of results seems too flat. Overall, I have enjoyed the program and have stuck with it although there are some days I wish for more variety and to do something else than just repeat numbers. What they say about only having to practice about 10 minutes a day--well--I've had to spend more like 30 minutes or more to do enough exercises to feel satisfied with my progress.

Wonderful wonderful product
I don't write reviews often but this product is so great I had to share my thoughts on it. I bought this product because I was going back to graduate school(mechanical engineering so please excuse my grammar) and I wanted an extra boost in brain power. I have been using this product just about everyday for weeks now and the results are very apparent. I have noticed two obvious improvements in myself.

First, I can now navigate a city with ease. I always knew my short term memory was the limiting factor in my navigation abilities. Before I'd always forget where I came from, left or right,what street Im on, etc. I always had people correct me. Now I am the one leading and its not because I am paying more attention. Without directly thinking of my orientation I just know where to orient myself(My gf would always correct me, but now Im correcting her).

The second obvious improvement is my improved speech and listening abilities. I'd always have trouble fumbling in my speech and understanding people. But now I feel I can think of what to say more quickly and clearly.

I have been doing many puzzles this past summer and the combination of that and brain builder really changed my life. I think more clearly and I can think "better" now. Hard to explain but the "fog has been lifted". Everything is easier now whether its putting something together or understanding the environment around me. Also my IQ scores appear to shoot up really high but thats up to debate.

I just want to say what a great product this is and I highly recommend it to anyone. Im sure when I start school this fall I'll see a leap in my abilities.


Jason

Works. Takes time but it works.
I have been using the product for over a month and half and just now am I finally experiencing noticeable results. My ability to hold and manipulate information in my head is better. For example, Math is coming to me much easier. I've noticed that I need to write out my problems less and can finish them in my head. This is great for me because just two 2 years ago I dropped out of calculus but now Im doing fine. Another thing, for the longest time I hit a wall with my reading speed (I bought sofware for that too) but now that is starting to increase once more. The best way to describe it is that things are growing clearer.

Now for the bad. The software is very basic. For most, the exercises will probably too boring to do every day. This has been my experience trying to get friends to use it. And in my opinion, ten minutes a day isn't enough. I've been using for about an hour a day. The way I look at it is there will always be a diet that works or a method that gets you rich or a philosophy that makes you happy and there will always only be a few individuals that have the drive to become better. Without being too preachy, this software is for the individual that understands the importance of intelligence in succeeding at life and has the drive to do something about it.