CD-ROM Reviews: November, 2004

-- School Library Journal, 11/1/2004

Health

Health (Version 2.0). 1 CD-ROM. Systems: Win 98 & later, Macintosh. Discovery Channel School. 2004. ISBN 1-58738-533-3. $59.95.

Gr 6-12-This interactive CD-ROM enables students to create multimedia presentations, conduct hands-on explorations, engage in writing activities, and much more. A journal is available at each site for students' notes and questions. Topics in each section cover material relevant to middle and high school students: the teen brain and brain development, healthy skin, melanoma, nutrition, hormones, and genetics are explored in all sections through presentations, hands-on activities, reports, and quizzes. It is suggested that users begin in the "Discovery Theater" where five Quick-Time videos are available in English or Spanish. World Book Encyclopedia articles accessible in "The World Book Library" section are for reference only, so students can't copy and paste articles in their journal or in any other word-processing application. The "Laboratory" is a student-focused area where various activities are prompted by "Can You Relate?," "What If?," and "Eyewitness" in which students are given information and asked to write about their observations. New for this version is a tutorial/study guide called "Brainteasers" which quizzes students on material covered by the CD ROM; incorrect answers trigger World Book articles to drop down for additional research. The "Simulations" section contains three to five simulations with 30 to 40 activities. The "Studio" contains 80 screens captured from the videos in the "Discovery Theater" and title cards that can be filled in or edited to create dynamic slide shows. Three "Lesson Launchers" are included for teacher use. The teacher's guide is accessible at any time from the desktop and includes standards, correlations, pre- and post-viewing questions, and more. This quality program will intrigue students and satisfy teachers.-MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School,Binghamton, NY

Music

Pianomouse Goes to Preschool. 1 CD-ROM. Systems: Win 98 & later, Mac OS 9.1 & later. Prod. by Pianomouse Prods. Dist. by AV Café. 2003. $19.99.

PreS-K-This lively and engaging game aims to teach young children their musical ABCs through 12 games and three different levels of play. Pianomouse and his mouse friend Clara, as well as Puccini the cat and Khachaturian the Kangaroo, host the various activities. Among them are "Khachaturian's Keyboards" where children are asked to identify portions of a keyboard; "Pianomouse Concentration" where kids play concentration with cards featuring various musical symbols, composers, or instruments; and "Puccini's Musical Hopscotch" in which players have to identify the musical note that doesn't belong. In the other games, children learn about beginning music theory, including the musical alphabet, notes, patterns, instruments, and four great composers (Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven). The interactive games feature age-appropriate colorful graphics. The software is extremely easy to use and is completely narrated. The only drawback is that it is mouse driven, so younger players who are not comfortable with a mouse will require adult assistance. Preschoolers are certain to find the games engaging. An excellent way to introduce young children to the basics of music, the program will be popular in public libraries and useful as part of a music curriculum.-Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Bellevue, WA

Nutrition

Hungry Red Planet: Adventures in Space & Good Nutrition. 1 CD-ROM. Systems: Win 95 & later. Health Media Lab. 2002, 2003 release. $29.95 (+$5 s/h); classroom version with guide and manual: $149.

Gr 4-9-This excellent space adventure features animated graphics and combines information on nutrition with the excitement of creating a Martian colony. In the game, the player is governor of the colony. A previous colony failed when the colonists became mutants due to bad nutrition. After selecting a healthy diet for the colonists, the player has a limited number of turns to create a successful colony. Each year the player has a chance to explore Mars and to build onto the colony. In any year, the colonists may find or lose food sources, the inhabitants may refuse to eat something on their menu, or they may be attacked by mutants. Mutants can be turned back into humans by supplying them with missing nutrients. To gain maximum points, the player needs to find all the previous settlers, but the game can be won by surviving the turns and sending food to Earth. The game installs easily and runs without problems. Students can play individually or form teams The comprehensive nutrition database provides information to teach players about good nutrition in a non-didactic manner. By using real food choices in a science fiction setting, the game makes players think about their own eating habits. A useful addition to health, science, or home economics classes.-Suzanne Libra, Huron Middle School, Northglenn, CO

Science

Bacteria (Version 2.0). 1 CD-ROM. Systems: Win 98 & later, Macintosh. Discovery Channel School. 2004. ISBN 1-58738-518-X. $59.95

Gr 6-12-A variety of instructional tools for teachers and a rich array of options for independent learners are found here. There are five sections-"Discovery Theater," "World Book Library," "Laboratory," "Studio," and "Simulations"-as well as a handy student journal for note-taking. "Discovery Theater" includes five short QuickTime video clips with adequate coverage of such topics as good bacteria in food, bacteria in the history of health care, and infectious diseases. English and Spanish language options, closed captions, and a full-screen option for use with large groups are a plus. "World Book Library" offers 15 articles with key word search or a scrollable topic list abridged from the 2004 edition of World Book Encyclopedia. Students are prevented from copying information and pasting it into a word processing program, which encourages correct taking of notes. "Laboratory" is a varied collection of activities to test what users have learned after completing the other two sections. A drop down list of World Book Encyclopedia articles will help students who have answered incorrectly. "Studio," a slide show maker, includes three pre-made presentations called "lesson launchers" that teachers could use for an entire class. Students can also make their own slide presentations. Four video game-style sections of "Simulations"-Infectious Disease, Cell Division, Food & Nutrition, and Scientific Inquiry-have sophisticated computer graphics with lots of interactive activities. Some are not specific to the topic of bacteria and could be used with other science units. PDF format activity worksheets in the "Simulation" section are excellent for class handouts. The teacher's guide offers wonderful ideas for structuring the use of the program. Navigation between sections is easy, and all but a few buttons respond quickly. Mac users may need to double click in some spots. There are many fun options here to help students learn about bacteria. An ideal program to set up at a learning station in any biology class or to use for whole class instruction.-Joan Karasick, Greenwich High School, CT

Volcanoes (Version 2.0). 1 CD-ROM. Systems: Win 98 & later, Macintosh. Discovery Channel School. 2004. ISBN 1-58738-558-9. $59.95.

Gr 6-12-Designed to teach middle and high school students about the different types of volcanoes and volcanic activity, the composition of lava, plate tectonics, and more, the CD-ROM has five sections. The "World Book Library" consists of selected articles on volcanoes and related subjects. The five sort videos in the "Theater" section alone might be worth the price of the disc. They provide some wonderful images of volcanoes and an explanation of theories and volcanology. The "Simulation" portion offers interactive activities on scientific principles. The "Laboratory" consists of activities to extend student knowledge such as "Brain Teasers," "Circle Logic (Venn diagrams)," "Investigation," "What If," and "Can You Relate." In the "Studio," users can create a slide show by selecting slides to which they can add their own text. There is also a "Journal" where students can type notes or questions as they move from section to section. The narration and navigation are easy to follow. Saving, printing, and editing functions are quick and easily accomplished. In a class or small group setting, the program presents valuable curriculum-related information in an interesting and informative way.-Suzanne Libra, Huron Middle School, Northglenn, CO

Browse the October CD-ROM reviews