Title:
Compton's Interactive World Atlas
Overall Rating:
A
Source: http://new.shoptlc.com/Search.asp<
BR>Playing Time:5 minutes to hours
Date: 1997
Cost: $ 19.95 http://new.shoptlc.com/pro
duct.asp?OID=4140165
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: PC
with Win95/3.1
Subject Area: Middle School and above
for the InteractiveWorld Atlas
Objectives: Students will learn about
geography, earth and life science, history, reading, music, and interactive
web sites.
Brief Description: The Interactive World
Atlas enables students to click onto geographical regions that they are
studying and learn about the topography, culture, history, demographics,
wildlife, and experience video and audio clips about their particular region.
Entry Capabilities Required: PC with
Win98/95/3.1,
CD-ROM 2X or better, 486/66MHz or better, 8MB RAM, Super VGA, Windows compliant
16 bit sound device, speakers, Microsoft mouse or compatible
Rating: (1-5)
-
Relevance to objectives: (5) I thought the
program was very relevant to providing students with an interactive learning
experience in which they can learn about not only geography, which one
would expect in an atlas, but also the history, culture, legends,
abbreviations,
international organizations, changes to places, demographics, flags, music,
and wildlife of the particular area.
Provides practice of relevant skills:
(5)The information provided in the different categories was divided very
well so it would not seem overwhelming to the student. There was a data
button in the suitcase menu in which information about tempatures, fertility,
GNP, the economy, average daily calorie intake could be utilized where
the student could compare 2 countries or the world which appeared in a
chart form. There was also a flag button in the suitcase for information
about the history, legend, and controversies surrounding flags and a world
button which provided information about abbreviations, international
organizations
for the particular country, changes to places, and distances guides. There
was a multimedia option in which video and audio clips could be utilized
along with a latitude, longitude, legend, scale, and a locator item that
enabled the user to zoom into any area in the world that they were interested
in.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: (5)
I believe the software is presented in such an interesting manner that
the student will click onto other areas and explore their topic further.
I know when I was experimenting with the CD-ROM I couldn't believe the
amount of information available on any country or particular fact that
I needed to research. I can't wait to explore it further and know I will
learn many new facts and now know if I am looking for information on a
country or fact related to it, I now know where I will start my search.
Likely to be comprehended clearly:(5)
I thought the menu buttons were very helpful and when I did have a question
I asked the glossary and it was very informative. The only question that
I had was how to open the suitcase menu and I looked in the glossary and
it informed me to add it to my main menu bar.
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
(5) I thought the technical quality was great. The video and audio clips
were very informative and I thought the graphics were very realistic when
a topography was presented or a clip of a wild animal was depicted.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance):(5) Dependant on the student
choosing the correct category and researching their topic. The glossary
and help buttons were very informative.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction):(5) I thought the atlas
presented great audio and video of different areas of the world and the
demographics associated with the particular area.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test
results):
Clear directions for play: (4) I thought
the directions were clear all except how to open the suitcase and view
the information in the flag, data, and world icons.
Effectiveness of debriefing:(5)
I thought the student could exit the program at any moment through the
use of the exit symbol on the main menu bar. It was very easy to maneuver
around the program and gather the information requested.
Strong Points:
The audio and video clips sent this program over the top in terms of quality
and wealth of information. The vast amount of information on different
countries and any topic one could associate with that country was great.
I really enjoyed the option of being able to compare the world or just
2 countries and a table would be automatically compiled that would clearly
demonstrate the distinctions.
Weak Points:
I just was a little confused about the opening the suitcase. I also wish
the authors had left a little more room on the menu bar so the flag, data,
and world icon could be transferred onto the main menu bar. As the program
presently is designed the student can only add two out of those three options
and has to keep switching back and adding one and deleting the other one.
That was a little frustrating. Overall a great program and should be in
a teacher's software collection.
Reviewer: Leslie LaRose
Position: Graduate MST Student
Date: 6/6/99
Computer System Reviewed on: Packard Bell
Platinum 40, Pentium, 24 RAM