Title:
Madeline's European Adventure-Know Europe Game
Overall Rating:
B+
Source: Internet (this is the download
site for Macs) http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/mac/knoweurope.html
(this is the download site for Windows) http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/pc/madelinesep1.html
Playing Time: Games are timed and
usually last about 5 minutes (Only the demo is available)
Software Release Date: May 8, 1997
Cost: $9.99 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JLB5/o/qid=951417243/sr=2-3/102-2631295-2912038
Operating System:
Windows or Maciontosh
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed:
CD-ROM
Subject Area: Elementary Social Studies--European
History
Objectives: To learn where European
countries are, their languages, and their important characteristics.
Brief Description: Madeline gives
hints about European countries, and then the child matches the hint to
the country by clicking on the map of Europe. The game is timed,
so the faster the child matches the country correctly, the more points
that are awarded. There are three different settings--easy, medium,
and difficult. In the entire game, children can travel across Europe
and learn geography as well as some languages.
Entry Capabilities Required: Should
know basic European geography and some important facts of the countries.
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 4 (Children
leave the game with a better understanding of the countries of Europe.
Also, the game encourages fast response time and coordination. However,
not all of the countries of Europe are included.)
Provides practice of relevant skills:
5 (Children learn to manipulate the mouse quicker as well as learning social
studies skills, such as geography, languages, and basic European history)
Likely to arouse/maintain interest:
4 (The game is colorful and entertaining, and Madeline serves as an amusing
host character)
Likely to be comprehended clearly:
5 (The directions for the game are straightforward; the child simply has
to match the country to the information presented by Madeline in the fastest
possible time.)
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
5 (The game is easy to learn and use, and the illustrations are good.
The game proceeds smoothly.)
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): 5 (The child can only
win if they know the countries and the information about the countries.)
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): N/A--It is a game
and not a simulation
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results):
N/A (Could not find any. Although, on amazon.com, where the download
is available, there is a space to write reviews on the software.)
Clear directions for play:
5 (The game is easy to follow, and has a help feature if the child gets
stuck or does not comprehend the directions.)
Effectiveness of debriefing:
2 (The post-game information is present, but not as helpful as it could
be. Instead of telling the child what she did wrong,. it simply states
the score.)
Strong Points:
This game clearly developes the child's knowledge of European countries
in a fun, interesting manner. It would keep the attention of younger
students, while at the same time teaching them basics they should know.
It was colorful and the storyline was one which would keep even the unmotivated
history student entertained. Madeline serves as an amusing host to
the game, and the game seems to be wonderfully targeted to the 4 to 10
range of students. By letting children this age play this game, history
perhaps won't seem as boring.
Weak Points:
This game only had a few weak points. The main one I found was that
only the main, traditional countries in Europe was addressed. It
focused on Western Europe as well. This could make learning the other
countries harder to children, if they have been only exposed to the main
countries of Western Europe. Also, even though Madeline is an interesting
and fun character, I think that young boys would not be as eager to play
the game.
Reviewer: Amanda Ciampolillo
Position: Student in EDUC 410 class.
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2000
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
G3 233, 64mb ram