document resume - files.eric.ed.gov · document resume ed 266 974 so 016 863 ... microsift...

DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 266 974 SO 016 863

TITLE Social Studies. Microsift Courseware Evaluations.INSTITUTION Northwest Regional Educational Lab., Portland,

Oreg.PUB DATE 85NOTE 32p.; Compilation by Social Science Education

Consortium of NWREL Microsift Courseware EvaluationSheets (May 1984-Dec 1985). For previous evaluation,see ED 248 162.

PUB TYPE Reports - Evaluative/Feasibility (142)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS Civics; *Computer Assisted Instruction; Computer

Simulation; *Courseware; Economics Education;Elementary Secondary Education; GeographyInstruction; History Instruction; *InstructionalMaterial Evaluation; Political Science; *SocialStudies; United States Government (Course)

IDENTIFIERS Law Related Education

ABSTRACTThis compilation of 17 courseware evaluations gives a

general overview of available social studies microcomputer coursewarefor students in grades 1-12. Each evaluation lists titlo, date,producer, date of evaluation, evaluating institution, cost, abilitylevel, topic, medium of transfer, required hardware, requiredsoftware, instructional purpose, instructional techniques, availabledocumentation, instructional objectives, instructional prerequisites,content and structure, estimated student time required, potentialuses, major strengths, and major weaknesses. Evaluation criteria aresummarized in a grid showing evaluator ratings ranging from "stronglyagree" to "strongly disagree." Most of the courseware is suitable foruse with Apple II microcomputers. Courseware titles are "TheMedalists-States" (geography), "U.S. Constitution Tutor" (Americangovernment), "Rails West!" (history, economics), "Geography Series:New England" (geography), "U.S. Geography Quiz" (geography), "Statesand Capitals" (geography), "Political Genie" (political science,history, civics), "States" (geography), "Santa Fe Trail" (history),"Greek Mythology" (history, literature), "Cosmic Carnival"(economics), "U.S. History Databases for PFS: File" (history),"Hometown" (civics, local affairs), "How a Bill Becomes Law"(government), "Law in American History" (history, law), "States andTraits" (geography), and "Countdown, Test Simulator, Authoring andManagement System" (any subject or topic). (LH)

***********************************************************************Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made

from the original document.***********************************************************************

0

SOCIAL STUDIES. MICROSIFT COURSEWARE EVALUATIONS

1985

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue

N-

Portland, Oregon

MICROSIFT EVALUATIONS: CONTENTS

1. The Medalists--States Grades 4-10

2. U.S. Constitution Tutor Grades 7-12+

wO 3. Rails West' Grades 5-12

C=14. Geography Series: New England Grades 7-9

w 5. U.S. Geography Quiz Grades 5-12+

6. States and Capitals Grades 4-10

7. Political Genie Grades 7-12+

8. States Grades 4-8

9. Santa Fe Trail Grades 5-12+

10. Greek Mythology Grades 6-12

11. Cosmic Carnival Grades 7-12+

12. U.S. History Databases for PFS: File Grades 7-12

13. Hometown Grades 5-12+

14. How a Bill becomes Law Grades 7-12

15. Law in American History Grades 7-12

16. States and Traits Grades 3-9

17. Countdown, Test Simulator, Authoringand Management System (any subject) Gradesl-12+

*Compilation by Social Science Education Consortium of

NWREL MicroSIFT Courseware Evaluation Sheets (May 1984-Dec. 1985).

BEST COPY AVAILABLE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)

0 This document has been reproduced asreceived from the person or organizationoriginating a.IfMinor changes have been made to improvereproduction quality.

Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official NIE

Position or policy.2

micro SIFT COURSEWARE EVALUATION

The Medalists - States

PRODUCER: Hartley Courseware, Inc.P.O. Box 419Dimondale, MI 48821

EVALUATION COMPLETED: May 1984 by thestaff and constituents of PREPS, MississippiState, Mi.tsissippi.

COST: $39.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 4 through 10SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: GeographyMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II Family,single disk drive, monitorREQUIRED SOFTWARE: Applesoft, DOS 3.3INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: Standardinstruction, enrichment, remediationINSTRM TIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill andpractice, game

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programprogram operating instructions, student'sinstructions. In supplementary materialssuggested grade/ability level(s), sample programoutput, program operating instructions, teacher'sinformation, student's instructions, follow-upactivities.

INSTR1Z TIONAL OBJECTIVES: (SEATED) Toprovide a way to study and learn important factsabout the states.

9

!NSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES:(INFERRED) The student needs to have learnedfacts about the states.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one disk and a 26-page user's guide. Itprovides a drill and practice game where studentscan compete against themselves for high score oragainst others. The difficulty level is set by thestudent by entering the number of points forcompletion. Points are awarded according to howwell the student can answer questions aboutcertain facts concerning the states. Thequestions cover such things as; postalabbreviations, bordering states, major industries,capital city, state bird, state flower, largestcities, etc. The package keeps records for up to50 students. It also provides a means of creatingand maintaining your own question file.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Thisdepends on how students use the package itcould be used repeatedly by students for 15-50minutes per session.

POTENTIAL USES: The package would be usefulas enrichment for students learning about theUnited States. The target age range is a littlewide it might prove boring for many high schoolstudents and difficult for average fourth graders.

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.

Content is free of stereotypes.

Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.

Content presentation is clear and logi:al.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.

Use of packagels motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.

Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be generalized.

User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.

Users can operate easily and independently.

Teachers can employ package easily.

Computer capabilities are used appropriately.Program is reliable in normal use.

SA - Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD - Strongly Disagree NA - Not Applicable

Evaluators ind bated that they would use or recommend use of this package only if certainchanges were made.

Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to 1 (Low).Content - 4, Instructional Characteristics - 3, Techn bal Characteristics - 4.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 248.6800

3

This evaluation is based on the evaluations of three or more reviewerswho are representative of potential users of the courseware package.

Permission to reproduce this document is hereby granted.


The Medalists - States, continued

MAJOR STRENGTHS: This package wculdprovide valuable supplementary information forclassroom use in social studies. It would alsoprove to be a more motivating means forstimulating students to learn basic facts about thestates. The ab iity for the teacher to add theirown content items is a plus.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: Supplementaryinformation on how to use the package effectivelyat different levels (grade or ability) is notsupplied. No references made to the kind ofstrategies students should use to attempt masteryof this material. Students are not told when theyhave misspelled a word, which could confusethem. The program will crash if control-C isentered.

COMMENTS: Reviewers also felt teachers wouldhay,: to ue careful to prov ice the aompriatebackground for their students.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Port lan.i. Oregon 97204(503) 248-6800

4

This evaluation is based on the evaluations of three or more reviev -rswho are representative of potential users of the courseware packas



U.S. Constitution Tutor

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: IA cro Learn a Division ofMicroLab, Inc.

2699 Skokie Valley RoadHighland Park, IL 60035

EVALUATION COMPLETED: June 1984 by thestaff and constituents of Region 10 ESC, Houston,Texas

COST: $35.00

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 7 through postsecondarySUBJECT: Social Studies .

TOPIC: Amer ban GovernmentMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II, singledisk drive, monitor. Also available forCommodore 64, IBM-PC/PC jr.REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Applesoft, DOS 3.3INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: Standardinstruction, enr b.hment, assessmentINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill andpract 13e, tutorial

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programprogram operating instructions, student'sinstructions. In supplementary materialssuggested grade/ability level(s), instructional

objectives, program operating instructions,teach:les information, resource/referenceinformation, student's instructions, follow-upactivities.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Toprovide content on U.S. government and tin 1J.S.Constitution so that students will understand theconcepts and procedures of Amer ban governmentand thereby improve citizenship. To providecontent on U.S. government and the U.S.Constitution to prepare students for requiredtests. To provide practice in takingmultiple-choice tests under non-stressfulconditions. To improve thinking skills:classification of ideas, analysis, synthesis, mak hggenetalizations, drawing inferences, etc.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES: (STATED)Prior knowledge of concepts in Americangovernment and the U.S. Constitut bn.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packageconsists of multiple-choice questions which arearranged both by subject and by level ofdifficulty. If studied by subject (Legislat ive,Executive, Elections, etc.) users will find thequestions arranged with n each menu topic. Theeasier questions will come first, and theever fences like a lesson. If studied bydifficulty level (Beg finer, Intermediate,

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.Content is free of stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be generalized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independently.Teachers can employ package easily.Computer capabilities are used appropriately.Program is reliable in normal use.

SA - Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD - Strongly Disagree NA - Not Applicable

Evaluators indicated that they would highly recommend this package.

Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to 1 (Low).Content - 5, Instructional Characteristics - 4.5, Technical Characteristics - 4.5.


5




U.S. Constitution Tutor, continued

Advanced) the subject matter will be more "mixedup," but the experience will be like a test. Topicsincluded are Legislative Branch, How a BillBecomes a Law, Executive Branch, Elections,Judicial Branch, Amendments, ConstitutionalPrincipals, and Rights.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: 4 to 5hours.

POTENTIAL USES: This package providesrelevant informat km wh th could be used asreview or re iiforcement pertaining to theConstitution and Legislative Branches. Thepackage could be used with individuals, smallgroups, or in large group situations. It could beused as a tool for discussion.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: All the material is verywell organized and planned. The concepts arepresented clearly and with varying levels ofdifficulty. The feedback is immed ate andappropriate.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The delay while thecomputer retrieves the next quest km is too long.


6




"*1

Rails West!

VERSION: Apple, copyright 1984

PRODUCER: Strategic Simulations, Inc.883 Stierlin Rd., Bldfi..A-200Mountain View, CA 94043-1983

EVALUATION COMPLETED: June 1984 by thestaff and constituents of Region 10 ESC,Richardson, Ten%

COST: $39.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 5 through 12SUBJECT: Social Studies, Business EducationTOPIC: History, EconomicsMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II, II Plus, orIle, single disk dive, color monitor. Also availablefor the Atari 800 series, and Commodore 64.REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Applesoft, DOS 3.3INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: Standard instruction,enrichmentINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Game,simulation, problem solving

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programprogram operating instructions. In supplementarymaterials sample program output, programoperating instructions, student's instructions,student worksheets.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (Inferred) Todevelop an understanding of business finances. To

develop an understanding of the role railroadsplayed during the years from 1870 to 1900.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES: (INFERRED)Prior instruction on stocks, bonds, securities, andloans.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packapcontains one disk, a 16-page users guider a "StartingRailroads" reference board, and a pad of playerscore sheets. The program is a simulation game forup to 8 players where the user attempts to gainwealth by buying, building, and/or selling railroads.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Sincegames cat: he saved for future use, the package timeis variable.

POTENTIAL USES: It would be useful asreinforcement in a business education class. Itdisplays problem solving in a practical situationinvolving a historical railroad setting.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: This program involvesintricate and detailed uses of business managementand ownership strategies. There is an option as tonumber of players.

MAJOR WEAI1NESSES: The documentation isunclear in many areas of game playing. The teacherwould need to preview the packge and be proficientin its use before distributing it to students.Terminology used makes it too advanced forelementary and middle school students.

OTHER COMMENTS: This is a high level strategygame.

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.Content is free of stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content presentation is clear tad breical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphies/sounci/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivrional.Student creativity Is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.


SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree VA -Not Applicable

Evaluators indicated that they would use or recommend use of this package with little or no change.

Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to 1 (Low).Content - 4, Instructional Characteristics - 4, Technical Characteristics - 4.


7

This evaluation is based on the evaluations of three or more reviewerswho are representattve of potential users of the courseware package.Permission to reproduce this document is hereby granted.


Geography Series: New England

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Intellectual Software798 North AvenueBridgeport, CT 06606

EVALUATION COMPLETED: November 1984 by thestaff and constituents of Connecticut Department ofEducation, Hartford, Connecticut.

COST: $29.95. New England is one package in a seriesof seven similar packages covering different regions ofthe United States. Other packages in the series includeMiddle Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Deep South,Central, and Far West Regions. The entire series isavailable for $195.00.

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 7 through 9SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: GeographyMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 inch diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: Apple II, He, one diskdrive, monitor, (printer optional). Also available forIBM PC or IBM PCjr and Macintosh.REQUIRED SOFTWARE,: DOS for IBM version.INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: Standard instructionINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill and practice,tutorial, and record-keeping.

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In Programstudent's instructions In Supplementary Materialinstructional objectives, program operatinginstructions, teacher's information.

BEST COPY AMU ABLE

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED)To provide the student with short tutorials thatemphasize the relationships between countries or statesand geographical features.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES: Prior instructionon the geography of New England.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This package containsone disk, a ten page manual, and a small road atlas ofNorth America. The program provides tutorial and drillon the important geographic, economic, anddemographic features of Maine, New Hampshire,Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and RhodeIsland. There are 10 different modules.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED:20 to 30 minutes per module.

POTENTIAL USES: Individual drill.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The program has a usefulrecord-keeping feature. It tracks the number ofattempts and percent correct for each module. Therecords can be printed at a later time.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The tutorial is poor in that thestudent reads a brief statement and answers 3-5questions. There are grammatical errors in, thestatements. The student can get a correct answer withonly a (return). There is no branching or opportunityfor a second attempt at the answer. The program isvery flat, lacking graphics and motivational features.

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.


Purpose of package is well defined.

Package achieves defined purpose.

Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.

Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.


Instruction integrates with prior learningLearning can be generalized.

User support materials are comprehensiveUser support materials are effectiveInformation displays are effective.

Users can operate easily and independentlyTeachers can employ package easily.

Compute: capabilities are used appropriatelyProgram is reliable in normal use.

SA - Strongly Agree A-Agree D- Disagree SD- Strongly Disagree - :Not spoin.able

Evaluators indicated that they would use or recommend use of this package only if certainchanges were made.

Summary: Scale 5 (High) to 1 (Low)Content - 3, Instructional Characteristics - 2, Technical Characteristics 2.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 2486800 8

This evaluation is based on the etc:duo:tons of three or more reviewer,who are representative of potential users of the ourseware paLLge.


micro SIFT COURSEWARE EVALUATIONBEST COPY AVAILABLE

U. S. Geography Quiz

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Intellectual Software798 North AvenueBridgeport, CT 06606

EVALUATION COMPLETED: November 1984 by thestaff and constituents of Connecticut Department ofEducation, Hartford, Connecticut.

COST: $29.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 5 through post-secondary.SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: GeographyMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 inch diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: Apple II, II+, lie, one disk drive,monitor, (printer optional). Also available for IBM PC,PCjr., and 128k Apple Maclntosh.INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: Remediation and review.INSTRUCTION AL TECHNIQUES: Drill and practice,game, and instructional management.

DOC .JMENTATION AVAILABLE: In Programstudent's instructions In Supplementary Materialsuggested grade/ability level, instructional objectives,program operating instructions, teacher's information.

INSTRUCTION AL OBJECTIVE& (STATED)To serve as a review of American geography. Aftercompleting this program the student should be able toidentify the capitals of states, provinces, and countries;identify the location of major cities, rivers, mountainranges, and major lakes; name the provinces of Canada,states in the United States, counties of Central America,countries of South America and the nations of theCaribbean.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES: Prior instruction onthe material outlined above.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE-. This package containsone disk and a 14 page manual. The program contains 10modules in a game format that quiz or review 10 regionsof American Geography; New England, Middle Atlantic,Southeast, Midwest, Deep South, Central, Far West,Canada, Central America/Caribbean, and South America.Each module gives 24 places (cities or geographicalfeatures) and the user supplies the state, province orcountry name. Each wrong answer is followed by anexplanation.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: 15 to 20minutes each module.

POTENTIAL USES: Individual review and drill.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The program includes arecord-keeping system that logs student use, givingnumber of questions attempted in each module and thepercent correct.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The program does not teachidentificatinn of geographical places and features; it testsability to match names to locations, the program is a veryunsophisticated drill and practice; it lacks graphics andmotivational features. The correct answer is displayedwith only a (return).

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.

Content has educational value.



Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.

Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.

I Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.



User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independently.

Teachers can employ package easily.1 Computer capabilities are used appropriately

1 J j Program is reliable in normal use.

- Strongly .grce A - tgree 1)- Do,orree II) - ..... ugly ltstgree yr - `rot Synth ante


Summary: Scale 5 (High) to 1 (Low)Content - 3, Instructional Characteristics - 2, Technical Characteristics - 2.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 248.6800 9

This evaluation is based on the evaluations of three or more -eviewerswho are representative of potential users of the courseware package.


micro*IFT COURSEWARE EVALUATION

BEST COPY AVAILABLE

States and Capitals

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Gamco Industries, Inc.Box 1911Big Spring, TX 79721

EVALUATION COMPLETED: July 1985 by thestaff and constituents of North Clackamas SchoolDistrict, Milwaukie, Oregon, and the NorthwestRegional Educational Laboratory, Portland,Oregon.

COST: $39.95; with backup $54.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 4 through 10SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: GeographyMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II+, He orIle, single disk drive, monitor. Also available forTRS-80 Models III and IV, and Commodore 64.REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Apple: Applesoft,DOS 3.3INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: StandardinstructionINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill andpractice, game

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programprogram operating instructions. In supplementarymaterials instructional objectives, sample

program output, program operating instructions,teacher's information, student's instructions.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (INFERRED)To learn the 50 states, their capitals and majorcities.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES: None stated.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one diskette, a backup diskette, and an8-page User's Guide. All 50 states are included infour regional maps, and students choose the lessonand region they wish to work on. Students maychoose from 8 lessons, all of which arc drill andpractice in format. The number of questions in alesson may be changed by the teacher to anynumber from 1 to 50. At the end of each set ofquestions, students automatically are moved toanother region or repeat the region they just,finished, depending on their scores. A studentmanagement system automatically records thenames of students who complete a lesson, thelesson and region they complete, the raw score,and the percent correct. The system holds up to200 student files.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Tenminutes per lesson

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.Content has educatior.al value.Content is free of stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integr tes with prior learningLearning can be generalized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials arc effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independentlyTeachers can employ package easily.Computer capat;ilities are used appropriatel',Program is reliable in normal use.

SA- Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Maurer NA -Not Applo.able


Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to 1 (Low).Content - 39 Instructional Characteristics - 3, Technical Characteristics - 3.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 248-6800 10


Permission to reproduce this document is hereb, granted.


States and Capitals, continued

POTENTIAL USES: This r$ackage would be anexcellent supplement to Social Studiescurriculum. It reinforces state locations withinregions and emphasizes important cities, as wellas capitals.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The teacher managementsection of the program makes it easy for theteacher to have accountability. The program hasseveral error traps where it is impossible for theuser to key in incorrect responses. After eachlesson, the user is given a percent score. Tomotivate the user, if a score of 80% or above isachieved, the user has an option to play a gamecalled Snakebite. The game moves very quicklyand gives the user an option for sound. If aquestion is missed in the lesson, it is recycled andused again.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The documentationseems to have several things missing or assumed.Once a student is in a lesson, there are no optionsto get out until they have answered X amount ofquestions. The color scheme of the letters ininformation display screens is distracting (greenand purple).

OTHER COMMENTS: The key response is slowoverall. The program continuously accesses thedisk.

zt Northwest Regional Educanonal Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 2486800

11

This evaluation is based on the eveduattons of three or more reviewerswho are representative of potential users of the courseware package.

Permission to reproduce this document is hereby grunted.


Political Genie

VERSION: IBM

PRODUCER: Boring SoftwareP.O. Box 568Boring, Oregon 97009

EVALUATION COMPLETED: July 1985 by thestaff and constituents of Florida Department ofEducation, Tallahassee, Florida.

COST: $54.95 for IBM, $59.95 for Apple

ABILITY LEVEL: Grade 7 through PostsecondarySUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: Political Science, History, CivicsMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 128K IBM, one or twodisk drives, monitor. Also usable onIBM-compatible systems (i.e., The Leading Edge,AT&T, ITT, and COmPaq). Also available for128K Apple He and He, and TRS-80.REQUIRED SOFTWAF.E: IBM: MS-DOS 2.1INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: EnrichmentINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Simulation,problem solving

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programprogram operating instructions. In supplementarymaterials suggested grade/ability level,instructional objectives, prerequisite skills oractivities, program operating instructions,

BEST COPY AVAILABLE

teacher's information, resource/referenceinformation, follow-up activities.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Thispackage is designed to make it easy and possiblefor voters to evaluate the voting records ofcongressmen and congresswomen during electioncycles. Students will learn the following lesson1) Congress decides important issues affecting ourlives; 2) It is possible to analyze voting records ofpoliticians; 3) Voting is important; and 4) Voterscan hold politicians accountable for their votes.

INSTRUCTIO N AL PREREQUISITES: (STATED)A basic understanding of the federal government,especially the legislative process, and the abilityto read at a junior high level are helpful, but notessential, to use this courseware.

CON'T'ENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains two diskettes and a Technical/TeacherManual. The students select the issues theybelieve are most important to them and thencompare those issues to the voting record of themember of Congress they decide to evaluate.There is no prerequisite for mastery of othermaterial. The program content is designed toelicit opinions and improve knowledge duringdiscussions of issues. The 100 issues selected forinclusion in the Political Genie database containall or most of the following criteria: 1) they will

Continued on backEVALUATION SUMMARY


Content has educational value.Content is free of stereotypes.



o Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.


SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and secii.:nt-e.



Users can operate easily and independently.


Computer capabilities are used zppropriatelyProgram is reliable in normal use.

SA -Strongly Agree A-Agree 0-Disagree SD- Strongly Disagree NA - Not Applicable

Evaluators indicated that they would highly recommend this package.


Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 248.6800 12



BEST COPY AVAILABLE


Political Genie, continued

continue to be, or have the potential to continueto be, open political issues; 2) they generallyrepresent issues with a significant division ofopinion within the Congress and the country; 3)they are interesting because they have thepotential to impact the lives of many people; 4)they reveal the internal operations of the Houseof Representatives; and 5) each is linked directlyto a recorded floor vote.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Thirtyminutes, 2 or 3 times per week to enhancematerial taught in class.

POTENTIAL USES: Use of this package is a superway to inspire class discussion and to get studentsinterested in topics that impact their lives. It canbe used by up to 8 students with little or noteacher guidance.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: This program can be usedin a variety of areas in a Social Studiescurriculum. It is easy to use and reliable. Itaccepts only inputs from required keys. Itincludes thorough documentation,.although theprogram can be operated with little reference toit. The graphic display of comparison of recordsis good. The ability to select issues is a greatoption. The topic is highly motivating forstudents. Students can exit the program andreturn to the place they left off.

MAJOR WEAKN ESSES: The choice of colorcombinations could have been better. The whitetext against the blue background is very hard onthe eyes.

OTHER COMMENTS: The program is most easilyused on a two-drive system, but will operate on asingle drive system. Depending upon thehardware configuration, any screen can bedumped to the printer.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 248-6800

13

This evaluation ts based on the evaluations of three or more reviewerswho are representative of pogenual users Of the , ourseware package.

Permusgon to reproduce this document is hereby ranged.


BESI COPY AVAILABLE

States

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Ventura Educational Systems3440 Brokenhill streetNewbury Park, CA 91320

EVALUATION COMPLETED: July 1985 by thestaff and constituents of Florida Department ofEducation, Tallahassee, Florida, and theNorthwest Regional Educational Laboratory,Portland, Oregon.

COST: $39.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 4 through 8SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: GeographyMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: Apple II, II+ or He,single disk drive, monitor (color preferred)REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Applesoft, DOS 3.3INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: StandardinstructionINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill andpractice, game

DOCUMENTATION' AVAILABLE: Insupplementary materials suggestedgrade/ability level, instructional objectives,program operating instructions.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Tolearn the names of the fifty states and theircapitals.


CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one disk and an 8-pare manual. STATESis a geography study unit in which the user learnsnames of the fifty states and their capitals. Theuser is challenged to recognize each state by itsshape, geographical region and neighboringstates. Many interesting facts about each of thestates are presented during the use of theprogram, including the area,population, electoralvotes, state flower and bird. With the DataRetrieval Utility the user can selectively searchthe data provided with the program to recallspecific information.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REWIRED:Fifteen minutes per session

POTENTIAL USES: The program can be used toreview states and capitals and to learn more factsabout and locations of states. Students can workindividually or compete in small groups. Penciland paper is necessary to maintain scores on thegame. Teachers can create additional activitieswith the Data Retrieval Utility.

Continued on backEVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SDNAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.Content is free of stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Packa,,e achieves defined purpose.

o Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be genci-a:ized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independently.Teachers can employ package easily.Computer capabilities are used appropriatelyProgram is reliable in normal use.

SA -Strongly /.free A-Agree D-Disavee SD- Strongly Disagree NA - Not Applicable


Summary: Seale from 5 (High) to I (Low).Content - 4, Instructional Characteristics - 3, Technical Characteristics - 3.


14



BEST COPY AVAILMLL


States, continued

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The information isaccurate and comprehensive. The graphics arewell done and very useful. The program providesstudents with clues when they are typing inanswers. Students can operate the program easilyas it is menu-driven. The sound is adjustable.The non-punitive approach used is especially goodfor students who have poor academic esteem.Students can choose to guess the whole answer orenter it a letter at a time. Only correct lettersare accepted. Even though points are lost forincorrect inputs, the right letters will earn themback.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: Documentation does notinclude prerequisite skills, program objectives norteacher-directed activities. The Data RetrievalUtility is confusing to use. In the quiz game,some students may be confused about how toselect two categories to match.

OTHER COMMENTS: A teacher's managementsystem would increase the classroom value.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 248-6800

15

This evaluation u based on the evaluations of three or more reviewerswho are representative of potentud user of the courseware package.

Permission w reproduce this document u hereby granted.

micro SIFT COURSEWARE EVALUATION Bbi uuri AvikILABLE

Santa Fe TrailVERSION: Apple II

PRODUCE& Educational Activities, Inc.P.O. Box 392Freeport, NY 11520

EVALUATION COMPLETED: July 1985 by the staff andconstituents of Region X ESC, Richardson, Texas, and theNorthwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Portland,Oregon.

COST: $59.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 5 through PostsecondarySUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: HistoryMEDIUM OF TRANSFER 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: Apple II, single disk drive,monitorREQUIRED SOFTWARE: Appiesoft, DOS 3.3INSTRUCTION AL PURPOSE EnrichmentINSTRUCTION AL TECHNIQUE& Game, simulation,problem solving

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE In supplementarymaterials suggested grade/ability lavas), instructionalobjectives, prerequisite skills or activities, sampleprogram output, program operating instructions, teacher'sinformation, resource/reference information, student'sinstructions, follow-up activities.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVE& (STATED) To givestudents a simulated experience of life along the Santa FeTrail in the 1820's; to give students experienceovercoming historical and geographical obstacles; to havestudents learn that life on the Santa Fe Trail in the 1820'swas considerably different from what life is anywhere onearth today.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITE& (STATED) Studentsshould be reading on at least a 7th grade level, or shouldwork in tandem with someone who is reading at or abovethat level.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE Santa Fe Trail is anadventure simulation which uses high-resolution graphicsfor enhancement. It reflects historical accuracy in thehardships that a traveller along the trail would hr.veencountered.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Thirty toforty-five minutes (one day).

POTENTIAL USE& This program could best be used asenrichment at the end of a social studies unit on the SantaFe Trail or as an introductory activity to stimulatestudents' interest in the unit.

MAJOR STRENGTH& Having students experience life onthe Santa Fe Trail with this simulation is interesting andinvolving. The interaction built into the program is good;for example, students have to decide how to spend theirmoney and what to do in different situations. Thegraphics and sound add to the program.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The major weakness is that thesituations given to participants are repetitious. Moreinteresting situations and a greater variety of them wouldimprove this program. The procedurefor buying goodsand supplies could be improved.

OTHER COMMENT& The documentation is fairlycomplete but poorly edited. The borders for Mexico andthe United States and the lines indicating rivers are hardto distinguish from each other.

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SDNAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.Content is free of stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics /sound /color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be generalized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independently.Teachers can employ package easily.Computer capabilities are used appropriately.. Program is reliable in normal use.

SA - Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD- Strongly Dtsagree NA - Not Aotthnole

Evaluators indicated that they would use or recommend use of this package with little orno change.

Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to I (Low).Content - 4, Instructional Characteristics - 3, Technical Characteristics - 3.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 248.6800 1 t) Permission to reproduce this document is hereby granted.

Thu evaluation is based on the evaluations of three or more reviewerswho are representative of potential users of the courseware package.

micro SIFT COURSEWARE EVALUATIONBLo 16(e AVAILABLE I

Greek MythologyVERSTnN: Apple

PRODUCER: TYC Software2128 W. Jefferson Roadr ittsford, N Y 14534

EVALUATION COMPLETED: July 1985 by thestaff and constituents of Lehigh University,Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and Northwest RegionalEducational Laboratory, Portland, Oregon.

COST: $39.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 6 through 12SUBJECT: Social Studies, Language ArtsTOPIC: History, LiteratureMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II, II+, Ile orHe, single disk drive, monitor (color preferred).REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Applesoft, DOS 3.3INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: StandardinstructionINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill andpractice, tutorial

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: Insupplementary materials suggestedgrade/ability level(s), instructional objectives,program operating instructions, post-test,teacher's information, resource/referenceinformaticn, textbook correlation, follow-upactivities.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: To introducehigh school students to the Olympian gods of thegolden age of Greek history. To be able toidentify: the family tree of the Olympian gods,the characteristics and legends which identifyeach god, the relationships among gods, theinfluence of Greek mythology in literature and art.


CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains two disks, and a 10-page User's Guidewhich includes answer keys and written tests.This tutorial relates the most commonly toldlegends of the gods of Mt. Olympus and looks atthe influence of Greek mythology on art andliterature. Graphics and animation highlight thetext material. Each disk also contains a gradedtest and review options. The user manual includessuggestions for additional activities. This is aLesson-Tutorgraph (tm) for junior high to adults.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Forone disk, 25 minutes are needed. More time willbe needed if students take the written testprovided in the manual.

POTENTIAL USES: This can be used tosupplement or review lessons in Greekmythology. The stated objectives would not bemet over the long term i, this program were theonly material used to teach the objectives.

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.Content is free oi" stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.


SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree NA -Nos Applicable

Evaluators indicated that they would use or recommend use of this package with little orno change.


Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 2486800 17



micro iFT COURSEWARE EVALUATION

Greek Mythology, continued

I

BLS( COPY AVAILABLE

MAJOR STRENGTHS: This program makes gooduse of graphics and color. The reinforcement ismotivating and immediate. It provides somebranching and assessment tests at the end andsuggests pictures for review of incorrectresponses. Different questions are asked on thesame topic throughout the package so thatstudents can't memorize answers.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: Some screens contain toomuch information to store in short term memory.Long term memory could be better aided byreading the myths themselves. No sound isincluded. No file system is provided.

OTHER COMMENTS: The program is still anelectronic textbook.

al, Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 248.6800

18

This evaluation is based on the evaluattons of three or more reviewerswho are representative cf potential users of the courseware package.



BESI COPY AVAILABLE

Cosmic Carnival

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: EPCOT Educational MediaWalt Disney Educational Media Co.500 South Buena Vista StreetBurbank, CA 91521

EVALUATION COMPLETED: September 1985 bythe staff and constituents of Region X ESC,Richardson, Texas and the Northwest RegionalEducational Laboratory, Portland, Oregon.

COST: $59.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grade 7 through PostsecondarySUBJECT: Social Studies, Business Education,MathematicsTOPIC: EconomicsMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II series,one disk drive, printer (optional), joystick(optional), monitor (color recommended).REQUIRED SOFTWARE: One blank disk (optional)BACKUP POLICY: Backup is provided, as well asa guarantee of replacement if damaged within90 days.INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: EnrichmentINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Simulation,problem solving, game

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NA

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programstudent's instructions. In supplementary materials

suggested grade/ability level, instructionalobjectives, program operating instructions,teacher's information, student's instructions,student worksheets.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Tointroduce students to the everyday business world:and to introduce students to economic principlesby providing an opportunity to manage asimulated small business for a week.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES:(INFERRED) The user should be familiar with thebusiness and economic terms of supply, demand,and profit.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one disk, a backup disk, and a 16-pageUser's Guide. In "Cosmic Carnival", the studentassumes the role of the manager and operator ofthree carnival rides for a period of one week,Monday through Friday. They set the opening andclosing time, ticket price, ride length, and decidehow many seats to use. They even have to dealwith such unpredictable factors as bad weather.The goals of the simulation are to make a profitover the one-week period, and to run the carnivalin the most energy efficient way possible. Ifstudents achieve both goals, they are awardedplaying time on the arcade-style computer game,"Cosmic Probe".

Continued on back

Content is accurate.Content has educational value.

Content is free of stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.

Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.

Use of package is motivational.





Users can operate easily and independently


Computer capabilities are used appropriately.Program is reliable in normal use.

SA - Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Datagret SD-Strongly Disagree NA - `+"t Applit.able

The evaluators indicated that they would use or recommend use of this packagewith little or no change.


Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 248-6800


.4 ,-,10 Permission to reproduce this document is hereby granted.


Cosmic Carnival, continued

POTENTIAL USES: This simulation could be usedby individual students or small groups of studentsat the junior high school level for enrichment insocial studies, math, or consumer education.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: 30 to50 minutes

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The graphics and soundeffects are a nice compliment to the program.The program provides numerous options,including: sound/no sound, helps, reviews, savegame to disk, and return to saved game. Duringthe simulation the student has control over a widerange of variables. The results of students'decisions are immediately and graphically shown.The documentation includes follow up activitesuseful for integrating the package into thecurriculum. The arcade game provides anincentive for doing well.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The nature of thepackage and the graphics would not be appealingto many high school students. The arcade gameintended to provide an incentive, may do just theopposite for many females.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Aveuue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 248.45800 20

This evaluation is based on the evaluations of three or more reviewerswho are representative or potential users or the courseware package.

Permission to reproduce this document is hereoy granted.

BES1 COPY AVAILABLE


U.S. History Databases for PFS:File

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Scholastic, Inc.P.O. Box 75022931 East McCarty StreetJefferson City, MO 65102

EVALUATION COMPLETED: October 1985 bythe staff and constituents of the NorthwestRegional Educational Laboratory; PortlandOregon.

COST: $99.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 7 through 12SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: HistoryMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 64K Apple Ile or Ile,two disk drives, monitor, printer. (Some of theactivities can be used with no printer and only onedisk drive.)REQUIRED SOFTWARE: PFS:File and PFS:Reportfor Apple He or Ile (PFS:Graph is optional)BACK UP POLICY: Backup included with packagePREVIEW POLICY: Full refund if returned within30-daysINSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: Standardinstruction, enrichmentINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Informationretrieval, problem solving

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: Insupplementary materials suggestedgrade/ability level, instructional objectivesprerequisite skills or activities, sample programoutput, program operating instructions, teacher'sinformation, student's instructions, studentworksheets, follow-up activities. More detailedobjectives are given for each activity.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Toteach students how to use data files and how tobuild their own; and to provide an opportunity toexplore the topics of: the expanding Americanfrontier, inventors and technology,twentieth-century America, American presidents,local history, and other miscellaneous topics inAmerican history.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES: (STATED)Use of the package requires a prior understandingof databases and particularly the PFS:File andPFS:Report systems. The package includesinstructions for the use of both of these systems.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains three copies of each of two disks, and anextensive 312-page manual. The package is madeup of a teacher's guide, three units involving usingexisting databases, three units involving thecreation of a database, a quick guide for use ofthe PFS series, mini-references for PFS:File andDeport, and a glossary/appendix. The units are asfollows.

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAContent is accurate.Content has t..:ticational value.Content is free o! stereotyper.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content pre'.ent.ition o. clear and logical.Difficulty level is mpropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of pai.kage is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively emplo /ed.

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be generalized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials arc effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independentlyTeachers can employ package easily.Computer capabilities are used appropriately.Program is reliable in normal use.

SA -Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD- Strorgly Disagree NA -Not Applicable

The evaluators indicated that they would use or recommend use of this package with littleor no change.

Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to 1 (Low).Content - 3, Instructional Characteristics - 4, Technical Characteristics 3.

A\ Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 248.6800

21



laic::silk-7 COURSEWARE EVALUATION

U.S. History Databases, continued

THE EXPANDING AMERICAN FRO'.TIERcontains 8 exploratory activities involving the useof a prepared database containing important factsabout people and events that shaped the expansionof the American Frontier. Major topics includethe westward movement, people of the AmericanFrontier, statehood and the exploration of space.

INVENTORS AND TECHNOLOGY contains 8exploratory activities involving the use of aprepared database containing information aboutimportant inventors and inventions.

TWENTIETH-CENTURY AMERICA contains 10exploratory activities involving the use of aprepared database containing statistical data on awide rcmge of topics, including people, thegovernment, and the economy intwentieth-century America.

AMERICAN PRESIDENTS contains 8 activitieswhere students create and explore a database ofinformation on the the presidents of the UnitedStates.

LOCAL HISTORY contains 8 activities wherestudents create ond explore a database taltaininginformation c' their local community.

FUN WITH AMERICAN HISTORY contains 8activities where the students create and explore adatabase containing fun facts and trivia abouttwentieth-century America.

POTENTIAL USE: This program could be usedwith small groups of students or as a classroomdemonstration. It is best used to develop researchprocess skills rather than the content mattercontained in the files. It could also be used asadditional reference materials.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Eachactivity can be completed in about 30 to 45minutes. Extension activities would involve moretime.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 9th04(503) 248.6800

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The purpose of thepackage is to teach the student how to use thedata retrieval capabilities of the computer toanalyze and test hypotheses. The package does agood job of teaching these highly transferrableskills. The manual contains very clearinstructions both for the use of the computer andthe activities in general. The documentationincludes ready-to-use lesson plans andreproducible student worksheets. A detailedscope and sequence makes the package easy tointegrate into long range lesson planning.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: Some of the searchesusing PFS:File take a very long time to complete.The package pieces too much emphasis on themechanics of using the software and not enoughemphasis on the interpretation of the result. Theexploratory nature of this package requires closeteacher monitoring, especially if used witn lowerability students.

OTHER COMMENTS: It is very easy for thestudent to contaminate the data on the diskinadvertently. It is important that the teachercopy the data files from the master disk to thestmlent disks prior to use. Students will need alist of abbreviations for each state in order toperform searches.

2

This evaluation ts based on the evaluations or three or more reviewerswho are representative of potennal users of the courseware package.

Perms:tots to reproduce this document ts hereby granted.


BEST COPY AVAILABLE

HometownVERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Active Learning SystemsPO Box 1984Midland, MI 48640(517) 835-7051

EVALUATION COMPLETED: October 1985 bythe staff and constituents of the NorthwestRegional Educational Laboratory, Portland,Oregon.

COST: $148.00. Volume discounts available.

ABILITY LEVEL: Grade 5 through postsecondarySUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: Civics, Local AffairsMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE 48K Apple II, one diskdrive and monitor, Centronics printer (optional).Also available for Commodore 64, IBM-PC, and64K Microbee.REQUIRED SOFTWARE Applesoft, DOS 3.3BACK UP POLICY: The program disk may not becopied. Data disks may be copied.INSTRUCTION AL PURPOSE: Standardinstruction, enrichmentINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUE: Problem solving,information gathering and retrieval


suggested grads-/ability level, instructionalobjectives, prerequisite skills or activities, sampleprogram output, program operating instructions,teacher's information, resource/referenceinformation, student's instructions, studentworksheets.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Toencourage the feeling of "Let's get involved in ourcommunity." To discover a local area- itsgeography, landforms, character, functions andpotential. To look at the past, present and future,to discover who are the people in a specific"Hometown." To look at short and long termneeds, and how interdependent are local areas.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES: (STATED)student will need to follow basic computerdirections to store, search for data, sort andperform simple statistical calculations.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one program disk, one data disk whichmay be copied, and a manual. The manualcontains teacher notes, a step by step guide andreference manual, and reproducible studentworksheets. Also included are helpful databasecodes and glossary. This package is designed tobe used as a part of a specific demographic studyto facilitate the collection, storage, and analysisof necessary information. The computer is usedas a tool to store information students collect infield surveys. The data disk stores information

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SL` NAContent is accurate.Content has educational value.Content is free of ttereorypei..Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.

...

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be generalized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independently.

1 Teachers can employ package easily.Computer capabilities are used appropriately.Program is reliable in normal use.

SA - Strongly Agree A-Agree 0-Disagree SD - Strongly Disagree NA - Not Applicable

The evaluators indicated that they would highly recommend this package.

Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to 1 (Low).Content - 5, Instructional Characteristics - 5, Technical Characteristics 4.

A\ Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204 23(503) 248.6800




Hometown, continued

which is determined by the user. This data canthen be searched and analyzed, and a statisticalsummary and other "reports" may be obtained.Some skills used in the package include recordinginformation, interpreting results, researching,investigating, and map reading. Worksheets aredivided in six units which involve blirveying,questioning, entering data, and interpreting data.

POTENTIAL USES: This package may be used byany size group of students entering data. Thispackage could be used for a unit which utilizesdata collection and analysis of polled data.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Thisunit of study is designed for a whole class tocover a period of several weeks. Many activitiesmust be completed before the computer programmay be used.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: This package is extremelyadaptable to many different teaching situations.This is a major project to undertake: however, themanual literally takes the teacher by the hand.Lesson plans are clearly presented and theworksheets are helpful. After basic data isentered, students can easily manipulate the datato draw conclusions about their "Hometown", be ita community or even a school. The database forsummarizing and analyzing data is easy to use andhas effective error trapping.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: This package doesn't usegraphics or sound. Graphics, especially pie or bargraphs to illustrate student findings, would behelpful.

OTHER COMMENTS: The database program isspecifically designed for this unit of study. Thepackage needs to be evaluated and chosen basedon the off-computer activities as the computerportion (analyzing data collected in a survey) is aminor portion of the package.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 2484800 24

This evaluation is based on the evaluattorts of three or more rev ewerswho are representative of potential users of the courseware package.Permission to reproduce this document is hereby granted.

BEST COPY AVAILABLE


How a Bill Becomes Law

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Intellectual Software798 N. AvenueBridgeport, CT 06606

EVALUATION COMPLETED: November 1984 bythe staff and constituents of ConnecticutDepartment of Education,Hartford, Connecticutand the Northwest Regional EducationalLaboratory, Portland, Oregon.

COST: $59.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 7 through 12SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: GovernmentMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 inch diskREQUIRED iiARDW ARE: 48K Apple II series,one disk drive, monitor. Also available forIBM-PC or PCjr and Apple Macintosh.INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: StandardinstructionINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Tutorial,game, simulation

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programstudent's instructions. In supplementary material

instructional objectives, program operatinginstructions, teacher's information,resource/reference information.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Tohelp the student gain an understanding of thelegislative and political process.

INSTRUCTION AL PREREQUISITES:(INFERRED) Prior instruction on the legislativeprocess.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one disk and a 14-page Teacher's Guide.Students become Congresspeople trying to getbills passed in the U.S. Congress. Students learnabout the legislative system, lobbying, filibusters,subcommittees, quorums, House-Senatecommittees, motions to table, parlimentaryprocedure, senatorial courtesy, seniority,amendments, vetos and overrides.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED:10-90 minutes

POTENTIAL USES: This package could be used asa supplementary exercise for a unit on nowfederal laws are made. Students can work asindividuals or in teams.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The program concept isexcellent. It makes a nice review of facts abouthow a bill becomes a law. The storyline, with theuser as the central decision-maker, is verymotivational.

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY


Content has educational value.Content is free of stereotypes.



Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.Use of package is motivational.




User support materials are comprehensive

User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.

Users can operate easily and independently.,_,_Teachers can employ package easily.

I Computer capabilities are used appropriately1 Program is reliable in normal use.

SA -Strongly Are A-Agree D-Disagree 5D- strongly Disagree A - Nor Applisahle


Summary: Scale 5 (High) to 1 (Low)Content - 3, Instructional Characteristics 3, Technical Characteristics - 3.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204(503) 2486800

25




How A Bill Becomes A Law, continued

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: It is difficult to recallprevious sections in order to review errors. Thecorrect answers are hidden in subsequentstatements of the storyline; it is not always clearwhat the correct answer is. The package is veryinteractive but Lacks student control.

riNorthwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503)248.6800

This evaluation is based on the evasuatioru or three or more reviewers26 who are representative or potential users or the courseware package.

Perintssion to reproduce this document is hereir! granted.

micro SIFT COURSEWARE EVALUATIONbto tiur r tiVikiLABLE

Law in American History

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Intellectual Software798 N. AvenueBridgeport, CT 06606

EVALUATION COMPLETED: September 1985 bythe staff and constituents of ConnecticutDepartment of Education, Hartford, Connecticutand the Northwest Regional EducationalLaboratory, Portland, Oregon.

COST: $45.00

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 7 through 12SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: History, LawMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 inch diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II series,one disk drive, monitor, printer (optional). Alsoavailable for TRS-80 Model III or IV, IBM andCommodore 64.REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Applesoft, DOS 3.3INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: StandardinstructionINSTRUCTION AL TECHNIQUES: Tutorial,simulation

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programstudent's instructions. In supplementary material

program operating instructions.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Tohelp with the study of American History bystimulating the students' reasoning skills.


CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one disk and a 10-page Teacher'sManual. The program is a collection of seventutorials, exercises, or simulations. They include:The Case of Peter Goodman, an exercise tostimulate students' reasoning skills, drawn fromthe history of Plymouth colony in New England inthe 1630's. Concepts of religious freedom andsocial control are pi esented in a problem-solvingformat. Intolerable Acts is a tutorial designed tohelp the student understand the role of newBritish laws in the pre-revolutionary period. TheBill of Rights presents the student with a series ofactual cases. The students can access the Bill ofRights through a computer database and use whatthey find to explain each of the 20 cases.Vigilante Mock Trial is a complete,()mputer- managed simulation of a trial from1859 in the American west. Students form intotwo teams, one for the prosecution and one forthe defense; each team interviews witnesses, putsthem on the stand, and asks questions in court.Case Study: Brown vs. Board of Educationpresents students with the facts of this landmarkcase and leads them through the classic

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY


SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be generalized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independentlyTeachers can employ package easily.Computer capabilities are used appropriately.Program is reliable in normal use.

SA- Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree JD- Strongly Disagree N., - 'Jot tpp'icable


Summary: Scale 5 (High) to I (Low)Content - 4, Instructional Characteristics -

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 24 &6800

2, Technical Characteristics 1.


Permission to reproduce this document is hereby granted.27


Law in American History, continued

case-study method. They identify the legal issuesinvolved, relate them to the Constitution,examine precedents, and finally render anopinion. A database of relevant Constitutionalphrases and precedents is available for researchby the students. Case Study: Tinker VS. DesMoines is similar in form to the Brown case, butinvolves Constitutional rights in school. Aresearch database and complete printout isaccessible through the computer. SexDiscrimination Mock Trial is a modern case takenThom a federal appeals court, and arranged as acomputer simulation for two teams of students.It is similar in format to the vigilante mock trialdescribed above. All 7 activities are on one diskand all have an easy print feature for a hard copyof all student responses.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED:Variable; depending upon the activity. Perhaps 15to 90 minutes each.

POTENTIAL USES: This package could be usedfor individual or group work as part of a unit ondevelopment in American Law.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The program is veryinteractive. The hard copy capability is helpful.The package is flexible, offering a selection ofactivities. Some activities are stronger thanothers. The actual Supreme Court cases aregood.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The screens are all uppercase text and not laid out with much variety. Thepackage makes no use of graphics, color or sound.The programs have many spelling errors. Themock trial operator control was erratic. Thesupport materials are lacking vital information,such as: instructional objectives, grade levelindicators, textbook correlation, and suggestionsfor classroom use. The instructions to the studentare unclear. If a printer is not used, certainportions of the program are unavailable to theuser without appropriate notification in thedocumentation.

OTHER COMMENTS: If revised technically, thispiece of software would be excellent.

Northwest Regional Ecucational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 7.48-6800

. 28

This evaluation is based on the evaluanon.s of three or more reviewerswho are representative ot pocentgai users of the courseware package.

Permuston co reproduce this document u hereby granted.


BEST COPY AVAILABLE

States & Traits

VERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Design Ware185 Berry StreetSan Francisco, CA(800) 572-7767

suggested grade/ability level, instructionalobjectives, program operating instructions,

94107 teacher's information, student's instructions.

EVALUATION COMPLETED: October 1985 bythe staff and constituents of North ClackamasSchool District, Milwaukie, Oregon and theNorthwest Regional Educational Laboratory,Portland, Oregon.

COST: $44.95

ABILITY LEVEL: Grades 3 through 9SUBJECT: Social StudiesTOPIC: GeographyMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple II, one diskdrive, monitor, joysticks (optional). alsoavailable for 64K IBM-PC (requires color monitoradapter card) and Commodore 64.INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: Standardinstruction, enrichmentINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill andpractice, game

DOCUMENTATION AVAILABLE: In programprogram operating instructions, student'sinstructions. In supplementary materials

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (STATED) Tomake learning geography fun; and to learn statenames, bordering states and rivers, majormountain ranges, rivers and lakes, historicalfacts, current trivia and capitals.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE: This packagecontains one diskette and a 27-page user's guide.The program uses databases to teach geographicalfacts in three game settings. In Place State onMap, students learn where states are by moving astate outline to the correct position on a regionalor United States map. In Match States dc Traits,students match clues (like state names, currentand historical events) to the locations on the U.S.map. In Make Your Own Trait students studyhistory and geography facts by creating their ownclues. Teachers or students may add their owndatabases. Information could include the datesstates entered the union, the location of famousRevolutionary Battle sites, the names of stategovernors and so forth. All three games may beplayed with a map showing state borders or anoutline with just rivers and mountains. A score isgiven at the end of each game.

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY



SA- Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree JD- Strongly Disagree VA -Not Applicable



Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 2486800


29 Permission to reproduce this document is hereby gra. .1.


States and Traits, continued

POTENTIAL USES: The package providesexcellent material to supplement a social studiescurriculum. Students can work independently orin small groups for enrichment, reinforcement orto develop visual and spacial relationships.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED:Students may work from 10 to 30 minutes pergame as a review or to add new knowledge.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: The program is veryfriendly and clear in its instructions to students.It provides excellent map graphics to helpstudents visually locate states. Students willeasily learn relationships. There are enoughdifficult parts to keep advanced studentsinterested since there is always a new challenge.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: When the program givesthe correct answer, it abbreviates the statename. The manual does have a list ofabbreviations. Spelling of state names is notreinforced; however, the new standardabbreviations are.

OTHER COMMENTS: This game would be morefun with a joystick. Use of a color monitorenhances the graphics.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 2413.6800

30

This evaluation is based on the evaluations Of three or more reviewerswho are representative of potential users Of the courseware pacxage.


microliFT COURSEWARE EVALUATIONBEST COPY AVAILABLE

Countdown, Test Simulator,Authoring and Management SystemVERSION: Apple

PRODUCER: Tyson EducationalSystems, Inc.

P.O. Box 2478Miami, FL 33055305/431-4268

EVALUATION COMPLETED: September 1985 bythe staff and constituents of the NorthwestRegional Educational Laboratory, Portland,Oregon

COST: $49.95. Backup disk available for $9.95.Ten to 15 backups for use at one school locationare $5.95 each with purchase of original.

ABILITY LEVEL: Any gradeSUBJECT: Any subject or topicMEDIUM OF TRANSFER: 5-1/4 in. diskREQUIRED HARDWARE: 48K Apple H, one diskdrive, monitor, printer (optional)REQUIRED SOFTWARE: Applesoft, DOS 3.3BACK UP POLICY: Available separatelyPREVIEW POLICY: NoneINSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE: StandardinstructionINSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Drill andpractice, tutorial, game, authoring system


program operating instructions, sampleprogram output, teacher's information.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: (INFERRED)To provide a teacher utility for administeringtests and authoring tutorials and games.

INSTRUCTIONAL PREREQUISITES:(INFERRED) The prerequisites will varyaccording to the content entered by the teacher.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE This packagecontains a master program disk, a sample filedisk, a 20-page Teaching Guide, and 8 pages ofdocumentation. The package contains thefollowing major components: COUNTDOW N is aneducational game which gives the student 10questions and then, displays the name of the highscorer and their rating at the end. TESTSIMULATOR is played like COUNTDOWN, butdoes not display the high score or the rating. Itallows for control of the level of difficulty, theway points are earned, the number of pointsdeducted for incorrect answers, the number ofquestions, the way tutorial screens are displayed,and the option to write the results to a printer ordisk. The AUTOLEARN SYSTEM allows the userto preset the menu selections, questions, andtutorials. The disk will then boot and run for thestudent with all selections preset.

Continued on back

EVALUATION SUMMARY

SA A D SD NAo Content is accurate.e Content has educational value.

Content is free of stereotypes.Purpose of package is well defined.Package achieves defined purpose.Content presentation is clear and logical.Difficulty level is appropriate to audience.Graphics/sound/color are used appropriately.

4 Use of package is motivational.Student creativity is effectively stimulated.Feedback is effectively employed.

SA A D SD NALearner controls rate and sequence.Instruction integrates with prior learning.Learning can be generalized.User support materials are comprehensive.User support materials are effective.Information displays are effective.Users can operate easily and independently.Teachers can employ package easily.Computer capabilities are used appropriately.Pr 3gram is reliable in normal use.

SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D- Diugree SD-Strongly Dhagree NA - Not Applicable


Summary: Scale from 5 (High) to 1 (Low).Content - NA, Instructional Characteristics - 3, Technical Characteristics 3.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204(503) 24&6800

31.

This evaluation is based on thr evaluations of three or more reviewerswho are representative of potential users of the courseware package.


micro4IFT COURSEWARE EVALUATION

Countdown, continued

THE AUTHORING SYSTEM allows the user towrite and ed' questions and tutorials, and storethem on the disk. THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMallows the user to store, average and print studentresults.

POTENTIAL USES: The package would be usefulfor creating tests, tutorials and games for anysubject and almost any grade level. It would beparticularly useful for administering makeup testsand quizzes.

ESTIMATED STUDENT TIME REQUIRED: Theteacher can create a 10-item quiz easily in 20minutes. Students could take the 10-item quiz inabout 5 minutes.

MAJOR STRENGTHS: An option is availablewhich allows the teacher to provide correctivefeedback if the student makes an error. Theauthoring system is fairly easy to use. Theteacher could use the system after a 15 to 20minute orientation.

MAJOR WEAKNESSES: The screen prompts are abit difficult to understand the first time through.The program is highly structured and limited tomultiple choice questions. Student involvement islimited to answering the questions and/or readingtutorial screens.

OTHER COMMENTS: The rate and sequence ofthe presentation is determined by the teacherduring the development of the tutorials. Althoughthe package is quite limited, it could be a usefullow cost authoring system.

Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Thu evaluation u based on the evaluations of three or more reviewers300 S.W. Sixth Avenue Portland. Oregon 97204 who are representative of potential users or the courseware package.(503) 248.6800 32

Penniman to reproduce this document u hereby granted.

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