Title: Encarta '97
Overall Rating: A
Source: Microsoft
Playing Time: not applicable
Date: 1997
Cost: (for 1998 version since 1997 is now outdated )$79.95 http://ms.warehouse.com/Microsoft/Reference/Education/
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: CD-Rom
Subject Area: All
Objectives: To help in research, learning, and discovery through multimedia.
Brief Description: A complete encyclopedia full oif text information, colour photographs, and multimedia presentations.
Entry Capabilities Required: User should know how to read and manoeuvre the mouse (basic reading and computer skills.)

Rating: (1-5)

Strong Points: The program has beautiful photographs and drawings which can easily be copied for use in school projects.  The text of the articles is written in layman's terms and contains many links to related articles contained in the encyclopedia.  Pull down menus make it easy to navigate/search through the encyclopedia.  The text can also be enlarged to accommodate children and those with visual impairments.  There are some games which can be played to use learned information and there is also an atlas which can be ued to gather informationa nd sights and sounds associated with different places.
Weak Points: Some of the information contained in the encyclopedia is excellent for all age of learners but occasionally, some of the information is a little advanced for younger children, who might need some adult help.  Children might also have trouble finding particular items without an adult's help.
Reviewer: Jennifer Heidemann
Position:Student
Date:3/19/98
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh PowerPC 6500/250, 32mb ram.

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