Educational Insights GeoSafari Laptop Jr. Manual

EI-8545
Ages 3+
Grades Pre-K+
Instruction Guide

GeoSafari®Laptop Jr.
Table of Contents
Operating Your Laptop Jr. Machine .....................1
Let’s Look at Laptop Jr. ................................2
Using Your Laptop Jr. .................................4
Single-PlayerGame:................................4
EntertheCode..................................4
—Changing the Default Program
—Changing the Response Time
StartingPlay...................................5
Ending and Scoring a Game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ReviewOption..................................7
PlayingAnotherGame...........................7
Two-PlayerGame:..................................8
EntertheCode&Mode...........................8
—Changing the Default Program
—Changing the Response Time
—Setting Bonus Points
StartingPlay..................................10
EndingtheGame ..............................11
PlayingAnotherGame..........................11
Two-Player Head-to-Head Game: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
EntertheCode&Mode..........................12
—Changing the Default Program
—Changing the Response Times
—Setting Bonus Points
StartingPlay..................................14
Scoring a Head-to-Head Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
EndingtheGame ..............................15
PlayingAnotherGame..........................15
Troubleshooting.....................................16
1
Operating Your
Laptop Jr. Machine
Laptop Jr. is packed with features that will help you learn and
remember all kinds of interesting and useful information—while
you’re having fun! This guide will show you how to make the most
of Laptop Jr..
Installing Batteries
For the best operation always use fresh alkaline batteries.
1. Carefully loosen the screw to open the battery compartment door
located on the back of your machine.
2. Install four fresh AA-cell batteries in the battery compartment
as shown.
3. Close the compartment door and tighten the screws.
NOTE: Remove batteries if the machine will not be used for a
long time.
• Batteries must be inserted with the correct polarity.
• Do not mix old and new batteries.
• Do not mix alkaline standard (carbon-zinc) or recharge-
able (nickel-cadmium) batteries.
• The supply terminals must not be short-circuited.
• Non-rechargeable batteries must not be recharged.
• Rechargeable batteries must be removed from the machine
before being recharged.
• Charging of rechargeable batteries must be carried out
under adult supervision.

3
2
Note:
• If you forget to turn your
Laptop Jr. machine off it
will shut off automatically
in five minutes.
SET TIME: 1-99 SECS
[Enter a response time and press to
continue programming]
MODE: 1 2 3
[Enter a number and press to continue
programming]
RANDOM 1/SEQUENTIAL 2
Enter either 1 or 2 and press .
The default is for random play.
ENTER CODE
[Enter a code and press to continue
programming]
Display Window Step-by-Step
Instructions and Responses:
• Right GO Light
This flashing GO light
identifies Player B on
the right.
• Display Window
This shows entered codes
programming prompts
answers score(s) and time
remaining to answer.
BONUS POINTS: 0-20
[0 Player A for the Player on the left—enter
number of points and press to continue
programming]
[0 Player B for the Player on the right—enter
number of points and press ]
•
Press after selecting
and entering
numbers answers
letters or codes.
•?
Press to reveal
the correct
answer.
• CLEAR
Press once if you would
like to change an answer
before pressing . Press
twice to end a game and
begin a new one.
REVIEW
[Available in Mode 1 only]
• ON
Press this key to turn
on the machine.
Let’s Loo at Laptop Jr.
• OFF
Press this key to turn
off the machine.
• VOLUME
Press here to
increase volume.
Press here to
decrease volume.
• Left GO Light
This flashing GO light
identifies Player A on
the left.
• Left GO Pad
Press the left GO pad when
the left GO light is flashing
to start a game or to have
Laptop Jr. choose the
next question.
•Enter Code Light Prompt
This light flashes by the
upper left-hand corner of a
card next to the code. Enter
this number.
•Card Storage
•Question Lights
During a game these 20 side
lights show which question to
answer. At the end of the
game they indicate questions
incorrectly answered.
23
456
789 0
1
BONUS POINTS: 0-20
RANDOM 1/ SEQUENTIAL 2
REVIEW
ON VOL OFF
ENTER CODE
SET TIME: 1-99 SECS
?
CLEAR
MODE: 1 2 3
+
-
23
456
789 0
1
BONUS POINTS: 0-20
RANDOM 1/ SEQUENTIAL 2
REVIEW
ON VOL OFF
ENTER CODE
SET TIME: 1-99 SECS
?
CLEAR
MODE: 1 2 3
+
-
{
•Keyboard
with numbers 0–9
• Right GO Pad
Press the right GO pad when
the right GO light is flashing
to start a game or to have
Laptop Jr. choose the next
question.

STARTING PLAY
After either GO pad is pressed the question
lights will blink in random order then stop
at a question.
Play Guidelines
1. Read the question next to the flashing light.
5
4
Keep Your Eye on the Cloc ! After the
flashing light has sto ed by a question, a
“countdown clock” will a ear on the left-
hand side of the dis lay window. As it
counts down, this clock shows the time
remaining for answering the question. You’ll
hear a ticking sound when 5 seconds are left.
Changing the Default Program
If you want to change any part of the default programming
press after entering the code. The prompt arrow will first
flash next to MODE: 1 2 3. A numeral 1 (for Mode 1) will
appear in the display window.
• To stay in Mode 1 simply press .
• To change mode enter 2 or 3 and then press .
(If you change modes see separate directions for playing those
games.)
Changing the Response Time
Next the prompt arrow will flash next to SET TIME: 1-99 SECS.
The number 20 will appear in the display window. (This is the
default time for the number of seconds a player has to answer
a question.)
• To change your response time enter a new time setting
(from 1-99 seconds) and press .
After pressing both GO lights will flash. Press either of the
GO pads to start your game.
Always
read the directions
near the top of the
card before you
begin play
Using Your Laptop Jr.
Laptop Jr. games can be played in three different modes:
• Mode 1—Single-Player Game
• Mode 2—Two-Player Game
• Mode 3—Two-Player “Head-to-Head” Game
On the following pages you’ll find directions for using Laptop Jr.
in each of the three modes.
Single-Player Game
(Mode 1)
A single-player game is just between you and Laptop Jr. !
Here’s how to play:
Choose a lesson and place it on the machine. Press the ON button
on the keyboard. You’ll hear a musical salute the question lights
will blink the display window will greet you with “Hi ” and a
prompt arrow in the window will point to ENTER CODE.
ENTER THE CODE
Enter the four-digit code located in the upper left-hand corner of the
lesson card. (The machine will sound an error if the code is not
entered correctly.)
After the code is entered the green GO lights will flash. The game
can be started right away (in the default program) by pressing either
GO pad.
Your Laptop Jr. machine is rogrammed
with a default setting for fast and easy use.
The default rogram consists of the single-
layer mode and a re-set res onse time
of 20 seconds for answering each question.
You may change the default rogram
before starting a game.

7
6
REVIEW OPTION
Laptop Jr. lets y ou practice ‘til you get it right!
At the end of a game red lights will blink next to any questions that
were answered incorrectly and the prompt arrow will flash next to
REVIEW in the display window. If you want to replay your missed
questions press either GO button. The questions you missed in the
game will be presented randomly and you’ll have another chance
to answer correctly!
• If a question is answered correctly (one try only) you’ll hear a
musical salute.
• If a question is answered incorrectly an error tone will be
heard the correct answer will appear in the display window
and the red light by that question will remain lit.
When all of the missed questions have been presented you’ll hear
another musical salute. If any questions still were not answered cor-
rectly the prompt arrow will flash next to REVIEW and the red lights
will flash next to those missed questions. Press GO to continue the
review cycle. The review sequence may be continued until all missed
questions have been answered correctly until the CLEAR button is
pressed twice or until the machine is turned off.
PLAYING ANOTHER GAME
You can move easily from one game to the next. Here’s how:
Replaying the Same Single-Player Game
The same lesson can be replayed with the same programming by
pressing CLEAR twice and then either GO pad.
Playing a Different Game
To play a different lesson remove the card and put another
lesson on the machine. Press CLEAR twice and enter the new code.
• If you want to play a single player game with the same
response time as your last game simply press either GO pad
to start.
Tip: A layer’s final score will not be changed
by getting questions right during the review.
But this is great ractice for earning a erfect
score on the next game!
2. Answer the question by entering the appropriate number key(s)
then pressing . (The prompt symbol will flash in the display
window.)
Note:
If you wish to change an answer before pressing press CLEAR
re-enter the answer and press .
• If your answer is correct a musical salute will sound.
Congratulations!
• If your answer is incorrect you’ll hear an error tone. But you
can try again! Laptop Jr. gives you three chances to answer
each question.
If a question is not answered before the clock runs out an error tone
will sound and the correct answer will appear in the display window.
At the end of each turn your score will appear in the lower left-
hand corner of the display window.
3. Press either GO pad for the next question.
ENDING AND SCORING A GAME
A game is over when all the questions in the lesson have been pre-
sented and the final musical salute has been heard. If every ques-
tion has been answered correctly you’ll also see a congratulatory
light show! The final score will appear in the lower left-hand corner
of the display window. The total score a player can earn depends on
the number of questions on the card.
How Games Are Scored
• A correct answer on the first try earns 3 points.
• A correct answer on the second try earns 2 points.
• A correct answer on the third try is worth 1 point.
Tip: If you kee running out of time, you may
want to reset your res onse time for the next
game.

9
8
• If you want to change the response time for Player A enter
a new time setting (from 1-99 seconds) and press to con-
tinue programming.
The prompt arrow will again flash next to SET TIME: 1-99 SECS.
You’ll see 20 Player B (20 for the default time and Player B for the
player on the right) in the display window.
• If you want to change the response time for Player B enter
the new time setting (from 1-99 seconds).
—Press the left GO pad to start the game right away.
—Press to set Bonus Points.
Note: Just press if you want to leave any player’s response time at
20 seconds.
Setting Bonus Points
Sometimes less experienced players need a little help when com-
peting with more experienced players. In a 2-player game you
can give another player a head start by giving him or her some
Bonus Points to make the game more even. The maximum
number of Bonus Points any player may receive is 20.
Here’s how to award Bonus Points:
After response times have been entered the prompt arrow will
flash next to BONUS POINTS: 0-20. You’ll see 0 Player A (no
Bonus Points currently for Player A) in the display window.
• If no Bonus Points are to be awarded to Player A press
to move ahead and set Bonus Points for Player B.
• If Bonus Points are to be awarded to Player A enter the
desired number of points. Then . . .
—Press the left GO pad to start the game right away or
—Press if you want to set Bonus Points for Player B.
If you pressed the prompt arrow will flash again by BONUS
POINTS: 0-20. This time you’ll see 0 Player B (no Bonus Points
currently for Player B) in the display window.
• If no Bonus Points are to be awarded to Player B press the
left GO pad to start the game.
• If Bonus Points are to be awarded to Player B enter the
desired number of points.
The left GO light will flash. Player A begins the game by pressing
the left GO pad.
• If you want to change modes press enter 2 or 3 then press
the GO button under the flashing green GO light. This will start
the game with the default programming for that mode.
• If you want to change modes and change any default
programming press and enter new information at the
appropriate prompts. Press GO to start the new game whenever
a GO light is flashing.
Two-Player Game
(Mode 2)
Any Laptop Jr. lesson can be played as a two-player game—and
can be individualized for players of different skill levels: You can
choose different response times for each player and if you wish
award Bonus Points to one or both players so that a less experienced
or younger player can compete with a more experienced player.
Here’s how to play:
Choose a lesson and place it on the machine. Press the ON button
on the keyboard. You’ll hear a musical greeting the question lights
will blink the display window will say “Hi ” and a prompt arrow
will point to ENTER CODE.
ENTER THE CODE & MODE
Type in the lesson’s four-digit code located in the upper left-hand
corner of the card. Press . When the prompt arrow in the display
window flashes next to MODE enter the number 2.
• If the default programming is acceptable to both players (20
second-response time; no Bonus Points) press the left GO pad
to start the game right away. (Skip ahead in this guide to
“Starting Play” on page 10.)
• Press if you want to change response times and/or award
Bonus Points for either player.
Changing the Response Time
The prompt arrow will flash next to SET TIME: 1-99 SECS. You’ll see
20 Player A (20 for the default time and Player A for the player on
the left) in the display window.

STARTING PLAY
As soon as Player A presses the left GO pad
each player’s Bonus Points will appear in the
display window. The question lights will blink
in random order then stop at a question.
Player A begins the game.
Play Guidelines
1. Player A reads the first question next to the
flashing light.
2. Player A answers the question by entering the appropriate
number key(s) then pressing . (The prompt symbol will
flash in the display window.)
• If the answer is correct a musical salute
will sound. Good job!
• If the answer is incorrect an error tone
will be heard. The player has three
chances to answer each question within
the time allotted.
Watch the countdown clock! If the question is not
answered within the response time an error
tone will sound and the correct answer will
appear in the display window.
3. Players’ turns alternate with each question. The blinking player
GO light shows which player answers the question.
4. Scores are shown and updated throughout the game. Player A’s
score appears on the left-hand side of the display window and
Player B’s score on the right-hand side. The scores include Bonus
Points if they were awarded at the beginning of the game.
11
10
ENDING THE GAME
Your 2-player game is over when all questions in the lesson have
been presented. If Player A has earned a perfect score a musical
salute will sound a light display will blink and Player A’s final
score will be shown in the display window. If Player B has a perfect
score the same congratulatory sequence will occur.
If a player has missed any questions there will be no light display.
Instead the question(s) missed will be highlighted by blinking
question lights as that player’s score is displayed.
The two players’ score-and-light displays will continue alternating
until CLEAR has been pressed twice or the machine is turned off.
Note: There is no REVIEW of missed questions available for Mode 2.
PLAYING ANOTHER GAME
It’s easy to move from one game to another. Read on . . .
Replaying the Same Two-Player Game
The same lesson can be replayed with the same programming by
simply pressing CLEAR twice and then either GO pad.
Playing a Different Game
To play a different lesson remove the card and put another
lesson on the machine. Press CLEAR twice and enter the new code.
• If you want to play a two-player game with the same response
times and Bonus Points as your last game press the left
flashing GO pad to start.
• If you want to change modes press then enter 1or 3and
press the GO button under the flashing green GO light. This
will start the game with the default programming for that
mode.
Tip: Remember, your score will not be
affected if you choose a longer res onse
time. It’s smart to give yourself the time
you need! If you kee running out of time,
and find yourself too rushed, you may
want to reset your res onse time for the
next game.
After the flashing light has sto ed by a
question, a countdown clock will a ear on
the left-hand side of the dis lay window.
The clock will count down as the layer’s
answer time la ses. During the last five
seconds of the res onse time, a ticking sound
will signal that time’s running out!
If you want to
change an answer
at any time before
ressing , ress
CLEAR, re-enter
the answer, and
ress .
Always
read the directions
near the top of the
card before you
begin play

13
12
Changing the Default Program
Press after selecting Mode 3 and follow these directions:
Changing the Response Times
The prompt arrow will flash next to SET TIME and you’ll see
20 Player A, Player B 1 (the default time of 20 seconds for the
first response time for both players) in the display window. If
you want a response time other than 20 seconds (from 1-99 sec-
onds) enter it and press to continue programming.
Note: Remember this response time will be the same for both players.
Therefore both players must agree to it.
The prompt arrow will again flash next to SET TIME and you’ll
see 5 Player A, Player B 2 in the display window. This indicates
the time (5 seconds) allotted for the player who “gets the ques-
tion” to enter an answer and press . If you want a response
time other than 5 seconds enter the appropriate numerals.
Note: This response time will also be the same for both players.
• If you want to award Bonus Points press to continue
programming.
• If you don’t want to award Bonus Points and you’re ready
to get into the game either player may press GO when
both GO lights start flashing. (Skip ahead in this guide to
“Starting Play” on page 14.)
Setting Bonus Points
You may award from 1 to 20 Bonus Points per player.
The prompt arrow will flash next to BONUS POINTS 0-20. You’ll
see 0 Player A (no Bonus Points currently for Player A) in the
display window.
• If no Bonus Points are to be awarded to Player A press
to move ahead and set Bonus Points for Player B.
• If Bonus Points are to be awarded to Player A enter the
desired number of points. Then . . .
—Press the left GO pad to start the game right away or
—Press if you want to set Bonus Points for Player B.
If you pressed the prompt arrow will flash again by BONUS
POINTS: 0-20. You’ll see 0 Player B (no Bonus Points currently
for Player B) in the display window.
• Enter the desired number of points. Whenever both GO
lights are flashing the game can be started.
• If you want to change modes and change any default
programming press after entering the mode and then
enter new information at the appropriate prompts. Press GO
to start the new game whenever a GO light is flashing.
Two-Player Head-to-Head Game
(Mode 3)
In a Head-to-Head game each question is up for grabs! After a
question is presented the player who hits the GO pad first gets to
answer—for 3 points. But watch out! If you are wrong you’ll lose
1 point! Your opponent can then choose to give the question a try.
If correct he or she gets 2 points. If incorrect 1 point is lost.
Here’s how to play:
Any Laptop Jr. lesson can be played as a head-to-head game.
Choose a lesson and place it on the machine. Press the ON button
on the keyboard. You’ll hear a musical greeting the question lights
will flash the display window will greet players with “Hi ” and a
prompt arrow will point to ENTER CODE.
ENTER THE CODE & MODE
Enter the four-digit code located in the upper left-hand corner of the
card. Press . When the prompt arrow in the window flashes next
to MODE enter the number 3. Both players’ GO lights will flash
slowly. The game can be started right away (in the default program)
by pressing either GO pad.
In a Head-to-Head game, there are two
re rogrammed res onse times. The first, 20
seconds, is the time allotted for either layer to
ress the GO button and “get the question.” The
second re rogrammed time, 5 seconds, is the
time allotted for that layer to enter his or her
answer. You may change either or both of these
default times.

STARTING PLAY
Once any programming changes have been
entered either player may press GO to start
the game. When the question lights stop at a
question the countdown clock will appear in
the display window and begin to count down.
Bonus points will also appear if they have
been awarded.
Play Guidelines
Always read the directions near the top of the card
before you answer any questions.
1. Both players read the question next to the flashing light.
2. The first player to press his/her GO pad within the allotted time
gets to answer first.
3. When the first player presses GO a series of musical notes will
sound and that player’s GO light will flash. That player then has
a specific amount of time in which to enter an answer and press
. Watch the clock!
If the answer is correct the player earns 3 points. The GO lights will
flash for both players and either player can press GO to go on to the
next question.
SCORING A HEAD-TO-HEAD GAME
If the first player’s answer is wrong or if the time to answer runs out
without an answer being entered a point is subtracted from that
player’s score. A “whooping” sound will be heard and the second
player’s GO light will come on. This alerts the second player that
he/she now has a chance to answer the question. If the second
player decides to answer the question he/she keys in an answer
and presses .
• If the question is answered correctly in the available time that
player receives 2 points.
• If the second player answers incorrectly a point is subtracted
from his/her score.
• If the second player decides not to answer the question at all
no answer is entered and his/her score will remain the same.
What if neither player wants to take a chance with a question?
If neither GO pad is pressed after a question has been
selected the scores remain the same and no points are
added or subtracted from either player’s score. When the
clock runs out the machine will sound the error tone the
answer will show on the screen and both GO lights will
flash. This signals that either player may press GO to con-
tinue the game.
ENDING THE GAME
The head-to-head game is over when all the questions in the lesson
have been presented and the ending musical salute has been
heard. At the end of the game the lights will blink by the questions
not answered and the questions missed. If all of the questions were
answered correctly there is a light display after the ending musical
salute. The scores for each player are displayed throughout the
game.
Note: There is no REVIEW in Mode 3.
PLAYING ANOTHER GAME
Here’s how to continue game play:
Replaying the Same Head-to-Head Game
The same lesson can be replayed with the same programming by
pressing CLEAR twice and then either GO pad.
Playing a Different Game
To play a different lesson remove the card and put another lesson
on the machine. Press CLEAR twice and enter the new code.
• If you want to play a head-to-head game with the same
response times and Bonus Points as your last game press
either flashing GO pad to start.
• If you want to change mode press then enter 1or 2and
press the GO button under the flashing green GO light. This
will start the game with the default programming for that
mode.
• If you want to change modes and change any default pro-
gramming press after entering the mode and then enter
new information at the appropriate prompts. Press GO to start
the new game whenever a GO light is flashing.
15
14
Always
read the directions
near the top of the
card before you
begin play

16
Troubleshooting
If your Laptop Jr. machine fails to operate properly check the
batteries. Weak batteries can cause a variety of malfunctions.
Dim lights are the first sign of weak or drained batteries.
Replace the batteries with a fresh set. If your unit will not be
used for a long period of time remove the batteries to prevent
possible corrosion.

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