Title: MPj Astro
Overall Rating:
B-
Source: http://www.download.com/mac/software/0,332,0-26795-s,1000.html?st
.dl.subcat15.list.tdtl
Playing Time: Varies no actual time limit
Date: June 7, 1999
Cost: $ 25.00
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: none
Subject Area: Science
Objectives: Educational Astronomy
Brief Description: click on a star and
get information about it
Entry Capabilities Required: must be able
to click with a mouse on a star
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 4 It does show
you the stars and there is a part to show the solar system
Provides practice of relevant skills:
2 not really
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 2
I got bored very quickly
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 1 very
difficult to understand without a lot of astronomy background
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
3 good models
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): n/a
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): 5 accurate
depiction of the stars
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test
results):
3 A scientist might like it but it is not on a child's level
Clear directions for play: 2 directions
are very unclear and I just went through the options
Effectiveness of debriefing:2
not very effective
Strong Points:
Designed for a person with a strong desire to know more about astronomy.
It will give you more information than you will ever learn from
school.
It gave everything from the size of a star, location, system it is located
in. I enjoyed being able to see the stars from any point in the world
and changing the color. I thought this software would be designed
for grade school students, but it is more for college students. This
program is like spending time in a planetarium.
Weak Points:
boring!!!I was hoping for more of an educational game and this was more
of a chart you could have looked up in the library. It would have
been fun if you were able to be in a spaceship and able to travel for a
starwars effect. This is not a program for young children.
Reviewer: Jill Dixon
Position: Gred 518 student
Date: June 7, 1999
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
PowerPC G3 233 64mb ram.