Simulating life

Article Abstract:

Davidson and Associates Inc's $59.95 Zoo Keeper and First Byte Inc's $34.95 Zug's Race Through Space educational software packages both make good use of digitized color images and a game-type format to teach children about their respective themes, animals and the solar system. Six- to 11-year-olds playing Zoo Keeper are given charge of a host of wild animals while the real zoo keepers return a chimpanzee to Africa. Players must travel around the zoo, returning displaced animals to their appropriate habitats and simultaneously learning about the animals' environment and feeding needs. Zug's Race Through Space, the latest in a series from First Byte, uses text-to-speech synthesis to guide 5-to-12-year-olds through the solar system as interplanetary caterer Zug endeavors to find his destination before the evil Mr Bronto can steal his trade. Maxis' $69.95 SimLife evolution simulation game and the range of sound cards on the market are also reviewed.

Product/Service Evaluation, First Byte Inc., Davidson and Associates Inc. (Torrance, California), Zug's Race Through Space (Educational software), Zoo Keeper (Children's educational software)

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How to find the best software for a child

Article Abstract:

When choosing software for a child, parents and schools can ask a software dealer for a demo disk or if a package can be opened for testing. Not all software stores have demo disks or are willing to open a package, however. Egghead Software, with about 200 stores nationwide, is an exception. Each Egghead store will typically have demo disks of educational software or can load up one. The Educational Products Information Exchange Institute (EPIE), has a data base listing of over 12,000 educational software, including descriptions, ordering information and summaries of reviews. The data base is leased to various educational institutions. EPIE also publishes a book that lists the 'Latest and Best' educational software. EPIE can be reached at (516) 728-9100 by phone and at (516) 728-9228 by fax.

Usage, Purchasing, Children, Databases, Tutorial, End users, Database, User Need, Software Selection, Product selection, User Assistance, Data Bases, Educational Products Information Exchange Institute

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Electrifying teacher

Article Abstract:

The Miracle Piano Teaching System ($349.99), from Software Toolworks Inc, combines a 49-key electronic piano keyboard with software for the Nintendo Entertainment System computer. The value of this product is in the software, which teaches a user how to play a piano and read music using on-screen tutorials, video games and computer-generated tunes. A Software Toolworks executive says the system will be available nationwide in Jan 1990, and an IBM-compatible version should be ready by next summer. This is a product with the potential to capture the imagination of parents, teachers and young people.

Study and teaching, Piano, Pianos, evaluation, Music Synthesizer, Software Toolworks Inc., TWRX, Electronic keyboard instruments, Keyboards (Electronic musical instruments), Nintendo Entertainment System (Computer-based entertainment system), Miracle Piano Teaching System (Educational software)

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