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SimHealth
review #1

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The Software
Title: SimHealth Copyright date: 1993
Publisher: Maxis Cost $89.95
Computer: DOS Requirements: IBM 386 & above; 100% compatibles; MS-DOS 3.1 or above; 4 MB RAM; hard disk; Mouse; VGA Monitor
Distribution: Floppy Disks (2)
The Reviewer
Name: Larry Woodward college: Paradise Valley Community College
Date: April 3, 1995 Discipline(s) taught: Economics (Macro and Micro)

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 directions were lengthy, but good. As for the ease of SimHealth, I preferred the other 'Sim' games. Concerning the diversity, the game is ageless, faceless, sexless and void of any descriptions - fine, no need for diversity.

Evaluating the Instructor Materials

Instructor materials not available with this game.

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).
    With considerable prep time - I'd set assumptions in concert with students' values in class period. I) Introduction to game and housekeeping in class period; II) Test-drive the whole class on pilot in class period; III) Assign teams to do on their own time during the next 2 weeks or so, then compare results of teams during a later class; IV) Analyze assumptions and behaviors which lead to desired/undesired outcomes.
  2. How could this program be used for teaching and learning in other disciplines?
    Seems perfect for economics, political science, medical administration and management courses. So, all public policy-type courses.
  3. How effective was the simulation environment in providing an enhanced learning experience?
    '8' on a 1 - 10 scale. Provides quick, visual feedback to large, long term public policy related topics.
  4. What factors might limit the use of this program by instructors?
    National political interest in national health plan. This could get pretty boring to students if they aren't periodically re-interfacing by news reports of interest in this issue.
  5. Would your recommend this program for teaching and learning? If yes, why would you recommend this program?
    Yes, if it could be fit into an existing class - or maybe a newly designed course more specifically directed at national U.S. health care systems with political, economic etc., angles
  6. If no, why would you not recommend this program?
Additional Comments