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Hidden Agenda
review #5

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The Software
Title: Hidden Agenda Copyright date: 1990
Publisher: Jim Gasperini/Springboard Software Cost $41.45
Computer: Mac Requirements: Macintosh 512 KE, Plus, SE, or II computer; one 800K drive and hard disk; 16- color Monitor
Distribution: Floppy Disks (1)
The Reviewer
Name: Larry Woodward college: Paradise Valley Community College
Date: June 8, 1995 Discipline(s) taught: Economics, Management

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: X
7. On the whole, the program was: X

COMMENTS
The ease of the program would become excellent as I became familiar with it. The degree of the content has USSR as a world power player, more than it is now. On the whole, this program is the best I've seen.

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
The directions were the best I've seen. The learning objectives were right on, I think. It involved critical thinking - no easy quick solutions, like real- life. The questions were better than textbooks I am using now - great. The completeness of the teaching materials is the best I can tell. On the whole, the instructors guide is excellent based on what I had time to review.

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 macro/micro economic principles. This would be best for higher level economics classes dealing with international economics or world economics which we at PVCC have offered, but never had sufficient enrollment. This kind of involvement would help.
  2. How could this program be used for teaching and learning in other disciplines?
    Political science, government, economics, sociology, international trade, finance, agriculture, business, management - all could and should be incorporated. This is a real global issue - full of real-life choices we as future leaders of the world must better understand.
  3. How effective was the simulation environment in providing an enhanced learning experience?
    10 on a 1-10 scale. This is a chance to 'walk in the moccasins' of those Third world leaders we always are second guessing, here in the U.S. and elsewhere.
  4. What factors might limit the use of this program by instructors?
    It is time-consuming. Teachers not seriously committed to creating real-life learning environments for students might well feel 'too time-consuming' - I have too many other things to cover.
  5. Would your recommend this program for teaching and learning? If yes, why would you recommend this program?
    Yes - because it's a real-time slice out of reality=today. It's very worthy of the time.
  6. If no, why would you not recommend this program?
Additional Comments
Sign me up. How can I get this and class time connected? I will pursue with our International Education Committee at PVCC. We have a grant to 'internationalize' our curriculum - this may work.