I have included this game because it is a great and fun way for students to learn things about the United States and it's land marks. My fiance's younger brother is in fifth grade and loves to play this game and loves it when he wins a round without asking anyone for help. This is another game that I grew up playing and it really helped me to learn state's nicknames and what famous thing took place there or what famous person was from there. This would be a great game to play with your kids for a Social Studies lesson, maybe even breaking the class up into groups and having them play as a team.
Instructional Software Evaluation Form
Evaluator: Meredith Tidd Date Evaluated: March 4, 2007
Software Title (include version): Where in the U.S.A. is Carmen San Diego? Version 3.0
Publisher: Broderbund
Detailed Description:
This game was fun and fast paced. I remember playing this game when I was younger, it helped me out with learning where famous people in history lived and where battles took place and it helped me learn the nicknames for the states. As you begin the game you are informed of an overview of the game and then asks you if you would like a new mission. After requesting for a new mission the chief tells you what has been stolen and where you then leave for that location. Upon arrival you talk to witnesses and ask them for information about what the suspect looked like and where the suspect went. After you have talked to enough witnesses you are able to issue a warrant for the suspect. After listening to the witnesses you determine where the suspect went. You then get more testimonies until you run out of fuel, there is a gage on the screen so you are able to determine how much you have used, or you arrest the suspect. After you discover if you arrested the right suspect you are given the option to start a new mission, sight see the city you made the arrest in or quit. If you quit the next time you log in you are able to start a new game under your old status.
Main Curricular Goals/Objectives Addressed:
CCSD CEF (3) 1.11 “Complete tasks independently”
CCSD CEF (3) 4.4 “Ask history-related questions”
Minimum System Requirements:
33 MHz 486 (or faster) 8MB of RAM, Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, SVGA card (640X480, 256 colors), a sound card and a double-speed (or faster) CD-ROM drive.
Potentially Problematic for Students with (describe):
Learning Disabilities: If a student has difficult reading and is unable to listen to the game at the same time, this game will cause difficulty, but as long as the student is able to listen at the same time this problem will be fixed.
Mental Disabilities: If a student has a learning disability and is unable to understand the material being presented, maybe not knowing the differences between what happened in one state to the other. There is no way that this problem was addressed within the game because it is all mentally challenging.
Physical Disabilities: If a student has difficulty using their hands, or is unable to use their hands, they would be unable to use this game.
Emotional Disabilities: If a student were unable to take rejection or loss well this game would not be good for them. “The Chief” says either that you did a good job or that you did a bad job. If a student is unable to handle hearing that they did a bad job this game would be bad for that type of student and there is no way to disable this function.
Inclusion of Bias: Not Noticeable
Description of bias: From what I was able to tell the only form of bias available may be an idea that America is great and better than any other country because this game only deals with things being stolen from the United States of America.
Includes Statistical Results for Each Student: Yes
Additional Comments:
This game gives the students a status of rookie, investigator, etc. from this information I can determine how well they have done since beginning to play the game.
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