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The Software
Title:	SimEarth	Copyright date:	1993
Publisher:	Maxis	Cost	$59.95
Computer:	DOS, Windows, Macintosh	Requirements:	DOS:IBM 286 & above; 12 MHz, VGA 640K RAM and hard disk required; MS-Dos 3.1 or above; Mouse recommended Windows:IBM 386 and above; VGA 2 MB RAM and hard disk required; Windows 3.0 & 3.1; Mouse required. Mac:Macintosh Plus, SE, Classic, LC, Color Classic, II series, Centris, Performa, or Quadra; 2.5 MB RAM System 6.0.2 or above
		Distribution:	Floppy Disks (2)
The Reviewer
Name:	Roberta Delaney	college:	Glendale Community College
Date:	April 4, 1995	Discipline(s) taught:	Reading

Evaluating the Computer Game
STATEMENT	RATING
	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor	N/A
1. The directions for the program are:				X
2. The program's screen design was:				X
3. The ease of use of this program was:				X
4. Help provided within this program was:				X
5. The degree to which the content was up to date was:		X
6. The degree to which the program represented the diversity of our student population was:
7. On the whole, the program was:				X
COMMENTS The screen's design is too complicated.
Evaluating the Instructor Materials
STATEMENT	RATING
	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor	N/A
1. The directions in the instructor guide was:	X
2. Learning objectives of the lessons were:		X
3. The organization of the lesson was:		X
4. The appropriateness of lessons for college level student was:	X
5. The assessment/discussion questions at the end of the lessons were:	X
6. The completeness of the teaching materials was:	X
7. On the whole, the instructor guide was:	X
COMMENTS

Evaluating the Program as a Tool for Teaching and Learning

1. How would you use this program in your class? Identify a specific application for part of your curriculum (if possible).

   I teach in the reading dept. and on one section of the reading, we read about environmental issues. Students don't have much background on species extinction, bio-diversity, global warming, etc. The activities are excellent although very advanced. If students had computer experience than section IV might work.

2. How could this program be used for teaching and learning in other disciplines?

3. How effective was the simulation environment in providing an enhanced learning experience?

   Well, I'm prejudiced and I like to read. But, I think it would work well with reading if less complicated or used with good computer users.

4. What factors might limit the use of this program by instructors?

   Computer literacy in the sense of knowing and understanding Windows and/or Macintosh very well. Also, expertise in the subject matter. Also, a time factor in many ways. Lots of time to familiarize students and teachers, time to use.

5. Would your recommend this program for teaching and learning? If yes, why would you recommend this program?

6. If no, why would you not recommend this program?