CD-ROM

-- School Library Journal, 11/1/2005

Computer Skills

My First Computer Game: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. CD-ROM.Systems: Win 98 & later. Prod. by Advanced Brain Technologies Interactive. Dist. by AV Café. 2004. $29.95

PreS-Gr 1–The first title in a planned series, this animated program aims to teach young children the main parts of a computer, how to type on the keys, and how to click the mouse. Shelley the Snail leads users through the lesson, and at its conclusion a certificate can be printed. The storybook and activity module is launched next. A portion of the story about "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" is read aloud while the text is displayed in large, easy-to-read type. As each word is spoken, it is shown in red type. Every few pages, an activity sheet related to what has just been read is displayed. At the bottom of the page there are three or four keyboard letters, along with a mouse or two. For each letter shown that is correctly depressed on the keyboard, an action occurs on the screen, and a star flies from the top of the page to a star counter on the bottom. These actions are repeated each time the mouse is clicked on specific spots on the screen. Students can only access the activity center after they have acquired some stars. An option on the menu permits users to just read the story without accessing the activity pages. There are seven activities ranging from coloring pages to a card-matching memory game to word typing. Users are rewarded with verbal praise for making correct selections in the games, augmented at times with hand clapping. For incorrect responses, Shelley offers encouragement by saying "Almost" or "Try again."Preschool students learning computer skills will especially enjoy these activities.–Judy Czarnecki, Chippewa River District Library System, Mt. Plesant, MI

Health

Family Health Series. 5 CD-ROMs. Systems: Win 98 & later, Macintosh 8.1 & later. Prod. by Liquid Animation. Dist. by Core Learning. 2004 release. $19.95 ea. Includes: Family Health Series: The Body (ISBN 1-887016-34-4); Family Health Series: Illnesses & Injuries (ISBN 1-887016-35-2); Family Health Series: Staying Healthy (ISBN 1-887016-36-0 ); Family Health Series: Becoming an Adult (ISBN 1-887016-37-9 ); Family Health Series: Emotional Health (ISBN 1-887016-38-7).

Gr 5 Up–This series offers basic health information in small doses. Music, colorful animated characters, and graphics along with positive rewards in the way of applause hold users' interest. The Body provides information about the brain, heart, blood, skeleton, teeth, immune system, respiratory system, and more. By clicking on different objects, students are taken on a journey through the body. "The Senses Scramble," a health food quiz, and activities related to the digestive and respiratory system are among the activities that teach important facts. In Illnesses & Injuries, students enter a clinic to learn the definitions, causes, prevention, and treatment of illnesses and injuries through games and a text bank. Acne, asthma, fractures, cancer, colds, diabetes, epilepsy, and other illnesses are briefly examined. In Staying Healthy, users enter the rooms of a house to learn how to remain fit and healthy. Information about nutrition, sun safety, immunizations, maintaining a healthy heart, and more precedes numerous fun activities such as "Health Food Hijinx" and "Culinary Capers." In Becoming an Adult, students go into an amusement park with mazes, games, and a growing body quiz. Text files answer questions about body image, realistic goal setting, puberty, harassment, and more. Emotional Health covers dealing with anger and bullying, coping with school, family roles, conflict resolution, and other issues. "The Scenario Café" is especially useful for discovering how to make decisions and deal with stress and bullying. The program is easy to navigate with quick response time. Students will find the animated game activities enjoyable as they apply what they have learned from the text and graphic segments. For health and science classes as well as small group counseling sessions.–Gay Ann Loesch, Sun Valley Middle School, Indian Trail, NC

Health for Kids Series. 2 CD-ROMs. with tchr's. guide. Systems: Win 98 & later, Macintosh 8.1 & later. Prod. by Liquid Animation. Dist. by Core Learning. 2004 release. single site: $19.95 ea. vol.; 5-copy lab pack: $94.86 ea. vol.; network: $249.95 ea. vol. Includes: Volume 1–Health for Kids: Explore Your Body (ISBN 1-897016-32-8); Volume 2–Health for Kids: Explore Your Health (ISBN 1-897016-33-6).

Gr 2-5–Three kids, ages 11 to 13, and the Doc take an amazing journey through 15-year-old Lenny's body. Along the way, users learn about the digestive, respiratory, and immune systems, and are given information on teeth and dental hygiene as well as taste and smell. The explorers face dangers as Lenny coughs, bacteria attack, and the immune system kicks in to repel the invaders. Users are given humorous quizzes to reinforce key facts. These titles feature simple, yet bold and colorful cartoon-like animation; a light-hearted sense of humor; and even places where users can learn about the "yucky bits." Explore Your Body introduces our intrepid explorers, shrinks them, and takes them into the mouth and down the throat. Explore Your Health continues the journey as they visit Lenny's lungs and face the immune system, and rampant pus. This is a visually appealing, user-friendly program—everything is point-and-click. You can install it, or run it straight off the CD-ROM. Each CD-ROM contains character bios, information on the program, overviews of body systems, and introductions to the doctor's inventions. The adventure itself is presented in a series of episodes, each with opportunities for user involvement. There's a British flavor to the program, and a lively sense of the ridiculous that should appeal to adolescent users. A slight glitch was encountered going between episodes 15 and 16, but was easily overcome. Occasionally animation doesn't exactly match sound, but this is a minor problem and in no way detracts from the program itself. This fun, if irreverent, introduction to body systems will have young users clamoring for more.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Mathematics

Gingerbread Multiplication Table. CD-ROM. Systems: Win. Lern-Learn. 2005. ISBN 0-9763195-1-9. $9.95.

Gr 3-4–This program attempts to make learning multiplication tables interesting. Different characters (including Santa Claus and Noah) introduce each table (2s through 9s) for students to memorize, then takes them to a quiz. After passing the quiz, they may proceed to the next multiplication table. A menu may be accessed to skip ahead rather than to always begin at the 2s. After the 9 times table, there is an advanced section that may challenge more sophisticated students, although it will be over the heads of those learning their tables. The graphics and music are simple and will not overwhelm struggling students. However, the slow pace and non-interacting characters will not engage tech-savvy third and fourth graders.–Linda Fortino, Library Media Consultant, Fontana, WI

Multiplicacion/Division (Multiplication/Division). CD-ROM. Systems: Win 95 & later, Mac 7.6.1 & later. School Zone. 2005. ISBN 0-88743-738-9. $12.99.

Gr 3 Up–This drill program for learning times tables, 0 through 12, and the reciprocal division facts offers several options for students. They can either "play the game" by answering a set of 25 problems within a given time, alone or with a competitor, or opt to take a test, which sets a variable number of problems for solution. After taking the test, players are given the results as percentage correct, with an option to printout those problems missed. The game tells competitors their bonus points (for completion within the time frame) and percentage correct. Another option is a number chart, which can also be printed out, showing multiplication and division facts from 0 x 0 through 12 x 12. The printed products are clear, attractive, and easy to understand. When the CD is loaded, the first screen shows a black space with a start button at the bottom. The instructions do not indicate that in order to enter the programa name must be entered in the space before clicking the start button. Once past this hurdle, there is one basic screen in bright colors, shaped like an artist's palette. At the top is a button for selecting language, either English or Spanish. When using the Spanish mode, the button says English, though the rest of the command buttons are in Spanish. The reverse is true in the English mode. A number line along the bottom of the screen runs 0 through 9. Problems are shown, in both horizontal and vertical forms, in the center of the screen. Users must click on the numbers to answer the problem. A relatively pleasant computer voice says the numbers and repeats the label on each key. When a test or round of the game is finished, a celebratory graphic appears–for example, a shaggy dog romping wildly–before statistics and printout options are given. Instructions are both printed and spoken, and are clear and easy to understand in both English and Spanish. A "set" button allows students to pick one number to drill, and three other buttons allow for play or testing on multiplication, division, or a mix. The exit/salida button does not merely exit from a game, but from the entire CD, a slight inconvenience. The graphics are simple but attractive, response time is excellent on both platforms, and the auditory components are clear (though the repeating tinkling background tune becomes a bit annoying). This is a good basic program for drilling number facts, and most useful for computation support in the classroom or for practice at home.–Ann Welton, Grant Elementary School, Tacoma, WA