Title: Math blaster Grades 4-6
Overall Rating:
At
Source: http://www.blasternaut.com/
Playing Time: No set limit, playing is
varied depending on player's skill level and attention span.
Date: 1997 Davidson & Associates,
Inc.
Cost: $14.95 h
ttps://store.knowledgeadventure.com/ObjectBuilder/ObjectBuilder.iwx?ProcessName=
SectionPageKnowledge&Merchant_ID=1&pcount=0&Catalog_ID=2&Section
_ID=14
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: Windows
95
Subject Area: Math skills, reading skills.
Objectives: Children will learn about
adding, subtracting, multiplying equations, estimating, fractions, spreadsheet,
and problem solving.
Brief Description: The Math Blaster enables
students to learn and expand their knowledge in utilize logic. And they
will be able to print out their awards.
Entry Capabilities Required: Pentium 60
MHz with 16 MB of RAM using Windows 95, 16-bit high color graphics,
Windows-compatible
sound card, Double-speed CD-ROM drive (4x recommended), Power Macintosh,
System 7.1.2 or higher, 16 MB of RAM with 10 MB free, 16-bit high color
graphics, 14" monitor, Quick Time TM 2.5 or higher, Double-speed CD-ROM
drive (4x recommended)
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: (5) I thought
that the program was relevant to the objectives to help students with expanding
their knowledge in Mathematics.
Provides practice of relevant skills:
(5) Excellent practice for students for solving problems, and using
spreadsheets working them out on their own.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest:(5)
The games and levels were easy at first to give students a sense of achievement
as the game went on the levels became a little harder but kept the students
interest to continue. Color and graphics were excellent. This would definitely
kept the interest of students.
Likely to be comprehended clearly:
(5) Clear instructions, games and levels were age appropriate. Easy accessible
for students.
Technical quality (durable, attractive): (5)
This software is very durable. I enjoyed the graphics, sounds, and colors.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): (5) The game is dependent on
one player at a time. The student can master a level and then move on.
This program will tell the student the correct answer if the student does
not get it right after three times.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): (5) The software was
very easy to want to keep playing. It was not very realistic in some levels,
but they were colorful. This was very fun to play.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test
results):
(5) World' best selling math series.
Clear directions for play: (5) Very clear,
straight forward directions, and easy for the students to follow along
and move from level to level.
Effectiveness of debriefing:(5) I liked the way that you could save your work and record m
any players
on a spreadsheet. They can print out awards, and keep track of other players
scores.
Strong Points:
The graphics, animation, visual, and color. This definitely would maintain
a students interest.
Weak Points:
If the students did not have much experience on certain areas in math
(fractions).
They would have a difficult time moving to the next level.
Reviewer: Amy Jones
Position: Graduate Student
Date: 6/7/99
Computer System Reviewed on: 486 IBM
Compatible,
Pentium, 32.0 MB RAM, CD-ROM drive, Printer (optional)