Title: The Animals!
Overall Rating:A
Source: Satterlee 300 Software Cabinet
Playing Time: Students can spend as much
time needed on this program
Date: 1993
Cost: $ 8.00
Number of Players: As many or as little
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: CD-Rom
Subject Area: Science
Objectives: To learn about different animals,
their biomes, and the geography surrounding these biomes
Brief Description: The software gives
the sound animals make, pictures and brief description of the animals,
as well as descriptions of the biomes of the world.
Entry Capabilities Required: Reading Ability,
Slight Computer Ability
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 5 (This software
follows the objectives very well, straightforward and interesting)
Provides practice of relevant skills:
5 (The students use their skills to wander around the zoo)
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 5
(This program has wonderful pictures and sound that can keep the students
interested for hours)
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 5 (the
explanation and descriptions are clear and simple, but can attract students
of all ages)
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
5 (The short films and graphics are very appealing and colorful, almost
like watching TV)
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): There are no games
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): There are
no games
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results):
Clear directions for play: There are no
games
Effectiveness of debriefing:
There are no games
Strong Points:
For each animal there are at least three pictures and approximately three
articles. The software covers a wide array of animals some that even
I didn't know exsisted. The pictures are appealing to the eye and
the sound system is clear. I found this to be a great piece of software
that I wanted to keep looking at for hours. The program is set up
like a zoo that allows the students to pick and chose which part of the
zoo they want to see. It gives the students the opportunity to visit
the places that interest them. This program would be most effective
with a junior high school class doing reports on different areas and their
asnimal life. Students can also do a word search that will allow
them to search by animal instead of by biome.
Weak Points:
I really couldn't find any weak points with this program. I found
it to be an extremely useful program.
Reviewer: Jennifer Alford
Position: EDUC 410
Date: September 19, 1998
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
PowerPC 6500/250, 32mb ram.