CD-ROM Reviews

-- School Library Journal, 3/1/2007

Also in this article: Mathematics  Science

K-Gr 1—Intended for classroom use, the series introduces numbers, calculations, measurements, shapes, and problem solving through a range of multimedia tasks. Fifty video episodes are presented in 3-D animation, each taking place aboard the SS Mathematica The episodes are also hosted by a human named Matthew. The crew encounters a variety of dilemmas that can only be solved by using mathematics. Among the concepts covered are counting to 20; counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s; counting with pennies, dimes, and nickels; identifying patterns, and more. The concepts are aligned with NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) standards. Explanations and narration are clear and easy to understand. The main screen is set up as a ship's dashboard. Users can select "Activity," "Video," or "Skill." By clicking on a life preserver that appears on every screen, the narrator either repeats the question, repeats the instruction, or introduces the activity. In Activity, children are first shown a short video to introduce the concept and then are taken to an activity based on a specific mathematical skill. In Video, they can choose to watch videos about the crew and the ship. In Skill, users take assessments of their skills, available on three levels for each concept. The CD-ROM is password protected so that teachers can track progress by student or by class. A useful program to supplement the mathematics curriculum for young learners.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

PreS-Gr 2—This introduction to basic math skills covers number recognition, counting skills, place value, math symbolism, money, time, simple and more complex addition and subtraction, and more. Each skill builds on the previous one with an emphasis on mastering basic skills before moving on to more complex ones. Important math vocabulary is introduced and defined. Within each concept there are often several mini-lessons. The math concepts and organization are solid, and this program could provide a basic math education for young students. Oddly, however, it fails to take full advantage of the format. There is no sound or animation. The program acts much like a series of extended PowerPoint presentations. Professor B, a cartoon bee, provides lectures in written format making it essential that an adult teach the concepts to the users. There are notes for teacher instruction and cues for the teacher to follow. There's a lot of repetition, and some attempts at interactivity, but the final result, while educationally sound, is not very interesting. Still, for a home-schooling parent who wants a sequential math routine, or for remediation, this might be a useful resource.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Gr 2–7—Gary Gadget has a workshop and the most amazing collection of "stuff." Young mechanics and creative inventors can choose from his huge piles of more than 127 assorted parts and thingamajigs to build cars that are fantastical or realistic. Once the car is finished, they can take a picture of it and save it in a scrapbook for reuse, and then Gary can take the car for a spin around the countryside. Along the way, his car has to overcome slippery mud, steep slopes, rickety bridges, and roadblocks. Gary can enter the car in a competition, visit friends, and have a variety of adventures. Good mechanics can earn medals and printable certificates for building excellent cars that have the right combination of parts to complete Gary's 16 missions. For example, Gary may have to rescue a kitten from a tree for his schoolteacher friend or find his neighbor's runaway dog. Most of the people who are helped thank Gary with more junk parts which can be used to build more cars. Additional parts and a bonus game can be downloaded from www.Gary-gadget.com. Games can be saved and restarted easily, and games and vehicles can be saved in scrapbooks. The game is easy enough for younger children to play, while aspiring mechanics will delight in building cool and crazy cars. However, once the cars are built, the youngest players may be frustrated by the lack of action while waiting to get the right parts to finish missions. Just like Viva Media's Crazy Machines: The Wacky Contraptions Game (Feb. 2006, p. 78), this game is wildly addictive and engaging. There are so many parts, so many cars, and so many places to explore that this terrific introduction to engineering and mechanics will keep youngsters engaged for a very long time. A 2007 ALSC Notable Software for Children winner.—MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY