| Q
1 |
Is
the PSP really a good platform to learn mathematics on? |
| |
Maths is
an important life skill, and students need a good teacher, well
structured lessons, and lots of practice. SUMS Online games
and activities are fun. They work well on a PC or Mac, but there
really is a lot of added motivation for a student in being able
to enjoy math on a gaming platform like the PSP. It means that
they can do it at home, with their friends, at a moment of their
own choice. |
| Q
2 |
You
sent me the software on a memory stick. Is it easy to make SUMS
software run on my PSP? |
| |
In most
cases very easy. If Flash is enabled (true for most recently purchased PSPs) then simply read question
4 below. |
| Q
3 |
You
sent me the software on a CD. Is it easy to put SUMS
onto my PSP? |
| |
It works
exactly like in Q2 above, except that you first need to copy
the files from the CD onto your memory stick - which needs about
20MB spare. The easiest way to do this is with a mini-USB cable to connect your PSP
(small connector) to your desktop computer (standard size USB).
If you have purchased a new memory stick you will need to Format
it first using the PSP's inbuilt facility. |
| Q
4 |
I've
enabled Flash, now where is the SUMS software so I can
get started? |
| |
On the
memory stick, the SUMS Maths software is at file location PSP/FLASH/sums.htm
This means that the browser page has to point at the location
below. If we supplied the memory stick then we will have already
setup a BOOKMARK for you that points to this page. If not, then
you need to enter it yourself (a painful process - but it only
needs doing once). Capital letters are not needed, and you should
note the single '/' character after the word file. |
| |
file:/psp/flash/sums.htm |
| Q
5 |
I
get a message
"Do you want to run the plugin embedded
in this page?" |
| |
Say
Yes. It is just a standard message
that comes up whenever a Flash plugin is run. |
| Q
6 |
I
can see the SUMS activity, but it is really big and does
not fit on the page. |
| |
Press the
triangle button to get a menu at the bottom of the page. Use
the arrow keys to move along the bottom to the 'A' symbol (View).
Select Just-Fit. The activity should now fit well on the page
with no scrolling needed. |
| Q
7 |
I
clicked on the SUMS activity and nothing happened. |
| |
Another
strange browser thing, but all you need to do is click again.
The first click tells the browser to switch its attention to
the Flash based activity. |
| Q
8 |
I
haven't got access to a wireless network. How can I enable Flash? |
| |
Are you
sure that you have not got access? Very many shopping malls
and hotels now offer a free wireless service to visitors, many
with no password protection. Try going there and using the SCAN
facility on your PSP to see what is available. |
| Q
9 |
I
can't see where it says to enable Flash on the PSP menu? |
| |
First find
SYSTEM SETTINGS on the PSP menu, and go into it. You should
find the option ENABLE FLASH PLAYER there. If not, you may have
an older version of the firmware that you will need to update
(a simple process in principle - see the menu above for help).
To test whether you have an old version, continue scrolling
down to reach SYSTEM INFORMATION. If your System Software is
earlier than version 2.7 then you will need to update it. |
| Q
10 |
I
have not connected to the internet before, and when I try I
get a message "An internal
error has occurred (80410A0B)". |
| |
Sorry.
We don't know what causes that message. Some sources suggest
resetting the Default Settings but it hasn't worked for us.
If you find a solution, do let us know. |
| Q
11 |
I
am a teacher and we are thinking of letting our pupils bring
in their PSPs to have SUMS online software put on them - we will buy the home licences. How
much time will it take, what problems will happen, and is it
worth it? |
| |
Yes, it
is certainly worth it to see the increased motivation. As for
time, the first few will take you a while because it is unfamiliar
and any problems you meet are new. After that, and assuming
you have a simple password on your wireless network to speed
things up, allow about 10 minutes per PSP. In our experience
it will go as below, though we cannot guarantee it. |
| |
a) 60%
of PSPs. Straightforward. if needed enable
Flash, then connect the USB cable and copy the files over AND the
bookmark which is also stored on the memory stick. Get this
from the first PSP you do yourself. |
| |
b)Some
PSPs. As above except that there is not enough space on the
existing memory stick. NB Most already have memory sticks in
because they are used to save game progress. Either tell the
owner to get another card, which can be costly at high street
prices, or to remove some MP3s etc. If necessary we stock a
range of loose packed lower capacity cards (about 256 MB £10)
we are happy to supply to schools if available. |
| |
c) A few
PSPs. As above except there is a password on internet access,
to prevent the child viewing unsuitable content. This is easily
removed by restoring the Default Settings (again in the SYSTEM
SETTINGS menu). You need to warn the parent to replace the password.
This also loses existing network settings, but does not change
or erase information on the memory stick |
| |
d) A few
PSPs. The operating system is older than 2.7 and so you first
need to connect to the internet using NETWORK UPDATE. You follow
the instructions on the PSP to automatically download the file
and run it. You then are back to the standard situation. |
| |
e) 5% of
PSPs. There is some form of error on the system that stops you
connecting to the internet or doing some other part of the process.
If we find a fix we will post it here. |
| |
SUMMARY.
This is not a technical process, but it needs good organisation,
not least to restore the PSPs to the correct students. We also
recommend you get them (or their parents) to sign a brief note
agreeing to their PSPs being upgraded and having minor changes
made as necessary. Most parents are delighted to see PSPs being
put to good educational use. |
