SOFTWARE REVIEW

CASTLE EXPLORER BY DK MULTI-media opens the world of medieval life to the user. This adventure set in a 14th century castle allows you to enter the castle as an honest page or a spy for the king. While exploring the castle, the spy gathers a number of clues and helps the king plot to overthrow the evil baron. Whichever role the user assumes, the wonderful graphics provide a wealth of information about castle life in that century. The typical attention to details found in all DK Multimedia programs is also present. The people living in the castle explain why things happen, how the kitchen functions, how armor is made and tended, as well as numerous other everyday tasks. The library provides further information on various facets of medieval life. An index feature simplifies exploration, and the menu at the bottom of the screen allows for easy navigation. This CD makes a good addition as a learning station for any unit which deals with life around the 14th century.

Davidson has added another excellent program to their Blaster series -- Science blaster Jr. Designed for youngsters ages 4-7, the variety and uniqueness of the activities makes the program educational as well as entertaining. Directed activities are accessed from the navigation map on the spaceship. These activities include sequencing stories in the science library; sorting food, mixing colors and changing states of matter in the engineering room; and going on a photo safari in the transporter room. Exploratory activities include making music with a sound wave machine, gathering weather information from the weather globe, learning about big and small with the size-o-meter, examining the inventions timeline and playing science songs on the radio. Three levels of difficulty are available for the activities. In addition, an activity book with 30 science experiments for off-computer use can be printed. The graphics, sound and the concepts found in this program make it an excellent introduction to science.

One small square: Seashore by Virgin Sound and Vision is based on the One small square book series from Scientific American. The users are treated to superb animations, illustrations, videos and audio descriptions of the creatures that inhabit the sea and seashore. The program has two methods of exploration. It uses either the 3D ecosystem model, which can be rotated and explored at any depth, or the nature guide, which can be accessed via chapters, pictures, activities and experiments. The experiments can be printed for actual use at the seashore. Youngsters can also use the photograph option to take pictures of the screen and include these pictures in a journal. Journals may be printed for sharing with other students or family members. The program utilities are easily accessible in a tool bar at the bottom of the screen. The exquisite illustrations make this program a delight for those who will rarely make an actual visit to the seashore. Teachers wishing to provide some form of structure for the users will find the teachers' guide helpful....