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SimLife
review #1

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The Software
Title: SimLife Copyright date: 1992
Publisher: Maxis Cost $59.95
Computer: DOS, Windows, Macintosh Requirements: DOS:IBM 386 & above; 16 MHz; VGA monochrome monitor; 2 MB RAM (4MB recommended) and hard disk required; MS-DOS 3.1 or above; Mouse required

Windows:IBM 386 & above; 20 MHz; VGA monitor; 4 MB RAM & hard disk required; Windows 3.0 or above; Mouse required

Mac:SE and above; Color or Monochrome; 2.5MB RAM for Monochrome; 3MB of RAM for Color; hard disk required; System 6.0.2 or above; System 7.0 compatible
Distribution: Floppy Disks (2-3)
The Reviewer
Name: John Arle college: Rio Salado Community College
Date: April 16, 1995 Discipline(s) taught: Biology

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 X
7. On the whole, the program was:

COMMENTS
The degree to which the content was up-to-date was something I could not assess.

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).
    Software might be used as in class lab simulation or could be used as 'open entry' independent study simulation.
  2. How could this program be used for teaching and learning in other disciplines?
    I'm not sure it could. Perhaps in physical geography?
  3. How effective was the simulation environment in providing an enhanced learning experience?
    Environment was good but was a bit complicated. Further experience would help.
  4. What factors might limit the use of this program by instructors?
    Time needed to familiarize students with the environment.
  5. Would your recommend this program for teaching and learning? If yes, why would you recommend this program?
    Yes, the program provides an opportunity to see the scientific method in ecological experimentation which is otherwise impossible.
  6. If no, why would you not recommend this program?
Additional Comments