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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:	Jesse Chanley, Jr.	college:	Mesa Community College
Date:	June 6, 1995	Discipline(s) taught:	Political Science

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
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).

   The program could be used to illustrate principles of the political economy of our heath care system.

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

   Health care is an issue that crosses disciplines. Economics -- impact of health care on economy. Sociology -- importance of health care for society.

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

   The game is too complex to quickly master. I cannot give an overall response to its effectiveness without exploring it further.

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

   With the available User's Manual and help within the program, it will take several hours to master the program. Unless the program is worth also requiring students to master it, instructors might have to spend a lot of time devising lesson plans to guide students' use.

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

   Because it can be used to enhance students understanding of the 'impact of decisions.' Very good in teaching outcomes and results of process and thinking.

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

   More time and/or better instructions are needed to evaluate this program. The program is complex enough to show promise as a teaching tool. However, I didn't have time to explore all of the options or even to finish a game.