Rating: (1-5)

Relevance to objectives: 5- The game challenges you to learn what elements make a civilization survive
Provides practice of relevant skills: 5- The more you know about social studies and science, the better your civilization will do
Likely to arouse/maintain interest: 3-4 - It takes a lot of work to get the civilization going, but its your creation, you want to see what happens
Likely to be comprehended clearly: 3-4- There is a lot of reading to prepare your civilization, may not be easy for the learning disabled
Technical quality (durable, attractive): 3-4- It doesn't break down, cool looking but graphics not as great as could be.
Game: Winning dependent on player actions (rather than chance):  5- Need to know what you are doing, can't just pick it up and play it
Simulation: Validity of game model (realistic, accurate depiction):  5- very realistic, you have to know what you are doing to make your civilization thrive
Evidence of effectiveness (e.g. field-test results): n/a
Clear directions for play: 4- directions clear,  has a chart to help but directions could have been organized better.
Effectiveness of debriefing: 5- The activity will show what works and doesn't work in a civilization based on what  we know in history.

Strong Points: Excellent teaching tool to see all the complex pieces and parts that are involved in the life of a civilization.  The more you know the better you do.
Weak Points: Very slow starting because you must read a lot before you can play.  Organization of directions could be better because some of it you have to read and some you really don't need to.
Reviewer: Jessica E. Donnelly
Position: Grad Student and English Teacher
Date: 3/21/99
Computer System Reviewed on: Power Macintosh G3/223 64mb ram