Title: Cats
Overall Rating:
C
Source: http://www.download.com/mac/software/0,332,0-51004-s,1000.html?st
.dl.subcat15.list.tdtl
Playing Time: Not timed, looped
to allow the student to complete the game.
Date: June 17, 1998
Cost: $5,
donation
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed:Mac/PC
1.5MB needed
Subject Area: Science
Objectives: To learn about wild
cats by giving a brief profile and then by quizzed to see if the student
maintained the information.
Entry Capabilities Required: System 7
is the minimum requirements
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 5,
Allows the student to click on the mouse to see the different cats.
Gives a lot of information about cats and quizzes to make sure the student
reads.
Provides practice of relevant skills:
5, The quiz allows the student to become familiar with quick knowledge
and understanding. It is not clear how many questions are asked when
you answer wrong. I am not sure if it asks questions more than once.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 3,
The sound and graphics are okay but very reputitious. After many
correct questions I did not catch the mouse which is supposed to be the
point. I got bored very easily. When children play this it
will take a long time for them to catch the mouse since they take longer
to read. There is little feedback to make the child feel he/she is
doing well, just a purrr-fect if you get it right.
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 5,
Instructions are easily understandable, but there is not much to the program
so it is very simplistic.
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
1, Looks like very old graphics, background isn't even realistic looking.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): N/A
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): 2, Why are
we clicking on the mouse to find out about cats? Facts are interesting,
but if you get a question wrong you go on to a new one. There is
no feedback about the right answer.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results):
N/A
Clear directions for play: 5, Easy
instructions.
Effectiveness of debriefing:
Young children (7-12) will find the game amusing but I believe will get
bored after the 10 min. If there is another game for them to play
they will play it. At this point children will even find this to
be an old computer program.
Strong Points:
Sounds effects and graphics are a plus, but more due to the sound effects.
The detail in the profiles give the major points and the most relative
information.
Weak Points:
You can't lose and you actually wish you could. It gets so boring
getting the answers right or wrong with hardly any feedback that you wish
it would end somehow!!
Reviewer: Doane K. Graves
Position: Student
Date: June 7, 1999
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
PowerPC 6500/250, 32mb ram.