Title: All About Science
Overall Rating:
C
Source: Queue, Inc.
Playing Time: Varies upon topics - 20min
is suggested
Date:1992
Cost: Not Available
Number of Players: 1 is preferred
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: None
Subject Area: Natural and social sciences
grades 7-12 (varies by subject - for instance, chemistry is suggested as
advanced for 7/8, normal for 9/10, and remedial for 11/12)
Objectives: To give an overview of the
basic concepts in each content area of science.
Brief Description: Within a topic, brief
summaries of major concepts in the topic are given with pertinent questions
following. After typing in a multiple choice response, the correct
answer is given. After 7-15 questions, statistics of performance
are displayed on the screen.
Entry Capabilities Required: No prior
computer or accessory knowledge of science is required, but it would
make it easier to fill in the finer details.
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 4.0 - Maybe "All
About Science" should be renamed "A Little About a Lot of Fields of Science"
Provides practice of relevant skills:
4.0 - The questions repeat themselves, and the answers are often taken
word for word from the passage above it.
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 2.0
- It is sort of like reading an encyclopedia for fun. But hey, it
could happen.
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 4.0
- It depends on who is using the program. Middle schoolers might
have difficulties in understanding physics and psychology.
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
2.0 - The program is a seamless hypercard but lacks color and has only
a few pictures
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): 2.0 - There are
no consequences for doing poorly. Likewise, there is no motivation
for doing well except for seeing a 100% on the screen.
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): It isn't
really a game. It more models a test in basic reading comprehension
than one in science.
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test
results):
2.5 - I was able to pick up a few new facts that I didn't previously
know.
But it didn't seem like I was having any fun so it might affect my motivation
to succeed.
Clear directions for play: 4.5 - Pretty
easy to follow directions as long as you read the "read me" file.
Effectiveness of debriefing:1.5
- The information probably won't linger around in a students head for long
unless they are interested in science, or the teacher does something to
apply the knowledge from the game. Its lack of visual aides dosen't
help either.
Strong Points:
Basic overviews are comprehensive for every field, mobility within the
program, instant feedback and statistics on performance.
Weak Points: Hypercard
lacks pictures, no consequences for incorrect responses, answering is not
challenging (word for word answers)
Reviewer: Rory "gator" Szwed
Position: Undergraduate Student - Potsdam
Date: September 1998
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
PowerPC 6500/250, 32mb ram.