Title:
Be Fruitful and Multiply version 1.5.1
Overall Rating:
B
Source: ftp://mirrors.aol.com/pub/info-mac/edu/yng/be-fruitful-and-multiply151.hqx
Playing Time: varies, user determines
number of correct responses needed to win
Date: Feb 1996
Cost: $0 (donation requested by programmer...e-mail
address - bobs@saintjoe.edu)
Number of Players: 1
Special Equipment/Facilities Needed: none
Subject Area: mathematics (multiplication
facts)
Objectives: to drill multiplication facts
and to illustrate multiplication arrays
Brief Description: After selecting the
range of the multiplicand (1-9), the range of the multiplier (1-12), the
maximum product (108), and the number of correct responses to win (up to
999); the game presents word problems requiring multiplication. A
multiplication array is presented with corresponding graphics. For
example, if the problem is "If 4 chickens each have 2 eggs, how many will
there be?," the illustration will be an array of eggs two by four.
The player attempts to answer the problem. If the player is unsuccessful
after three attempts, the correct answer is given.
Entry Capabilities Required: basic multiplication
facts, understanding of arrays
Rating: (1-5)
Relevance to objectives: 5
(All problems presented are multiplication problems.)
Provides practice of relevant skills:
5 (Problems offer students practice using arrays
to solve multiplication problems.)
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 3
(Problems are similar to those found in textbooks or on paper and pencil
worksheets. Students may at first enjoy the idea of using a computer.
I question the game's ability to maintain interest.)
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 5
(Game is easy to operate.)
Technical quality (durable, attractive):
5 (No glitches or bugs revealed.)
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather
than chance): 5
(Player's responses to problems are sole determinants of winning.
Nearly impossible a player could guess frequently enough to win.
The number of wrong answers is subtracted from the number of correct first
responses to determine when the player has reached the predetermined threshold
to win.)
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic,
accurate depiction): NA
(Software not intended for simulation, but rather for drill of multiplication
facts.)
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results):
not available
Clear directions for play: 5
(Game is easy to play.)
Effectiveness of debriefing:
3
(Score tells number of questions, number of correct responses on the first
try, number of correct responses on the second try, number of correct responses
on the third try, and number missed. The game does not provide insight
into patterns of error. Following the player's second incorrect response,
the student is prompted to count the items in the array.)
Strong Points:
+ The visual representation of the multiplication problem as an array does
reinforce the idea of multiplication as repeated addition
+ The teacher can set the limits of the product, multiplicand, multiplier,
and winning threshold to modify the game for individual student abilities.
Weak Points:
- The game offers little of the move and shoot or highly advanced graphics
that most students demand.
- Following the first incorrect response, the game says "Not right.
Try harder." This implies that the incorrect response is the result
of insufficient effort, which may or may not be true. For students
trying their hardest, this is a discouraging remark.
Reviewer: Douglas Saber
Position: student GRED 518 Summer Session
I 1999
Date: June 7, 1999
Computer System Reviewed on: Macintosh
Power G3, 233, 64mb ram.