Compton’s Interactive World Atlas

SoftKey International, Inc.

1-800-227-5609

http://www.comptons.com/

Grade level(s): 5-9

Subject Area(s): Geography/Social Studies

Reviewed by: John Fusari

Software Description

Compton’s World Atlas is an interactive multimedia program designed to broaden one’s geographic knowledge of the world. The software does this in several different and engaging ways. First, there is the world map with various hot spots on the main regions to allow the user to zoom in to a particular country. From there, the user can use various functions to find out extensive information on that country. For instance, if one hits the Profile function, one can read a comprehensive report on France’s culture, landscape, economy, government, climate, vegetation, and even hear its national anthem. While still in the Profile function, the user can play short video clips or see a sweeping picture of Paris in the summer. The software allows one the freedom to leave the Profile function for other functions to find more information on France. For example, if the user wanted to find out what the birth or literacy rates are, they would move to the Statistics function. This feature gives a very comprehensive review of the major statistics kept.

The software allows the user to see the data in either bar graphs or numerically. From there, the user could then use the Map Making feature and make their own custom map, be it a political, a topographical, a major cites map, or a combination. One can also use the Distance Tool to find out how many miles it is from Hartford to San Francisco. There are other functions that cover broader geographic topics about the world. For instance, the function key marked with an erupting volcano allows the user to explore phenomenon such as earthquakes by clicking on hot spot and viewing a short, video explanation. If one is interested in the earth’s weather phenomenon, then the icon marked weather will take the user there. One might view a video clip explaining how hurricanes or tornadoes form. The Sundial feature allows users to pinpoint their own time zone in relation to the rest of the world and find out what time it is in Egypt. The users can also visualize what parts of the world are dark when their part is light. Lastly, there is the 3-D Flight Simulator, which allows users to fly over any part of the world and see its elevation. One can speed over the Rocky Mountains or take it slow over the North European Plain.

Accuracy of Content

The Compton’s World Atlas is extremely thorough research tool that seems to have covered all areas in regards to World Geography. The program has plenty of information for its target audience, and its multimedia approach stimulates the retrieval of this data. The program is copyrighted 1997 so it does not have Canada’s new Province, but most similar software would not have it either. It would be nice if the software had a feature to edit maps, so for example the map of Canada could be updated to reflect recent changes. In the Map Making function, it would also be helpful if users could add more types of maps, for instance ones for economic or religion. All in all, the program’s content is up to date and bias free. For example, the video clips have both male and female narrative.

Technical Quality

The program is relatively easy to use and has a Help feature for explanations for the software. It also has short-cut features that allow users to bounce around quickly from topic to topic. For instance, the Go To feature brings users to a selection of countries to choose from alphabetically. The History function allows users to go back to the previous map they were using. If a classroom or technology center has an Internet Link available, users can access relative web sites by clicking on the Online function. Another feature that could do more is the 3-D Flight Simulator. While it is pleasing to the eye, it would be more helpful if it told users which mountains they were flying over. However, it must be said that the Compton’s World Atlas’ graphics, icons, and video clips are engaging to the eye

Use of Technology

Compton’s World Atlas allows its users not only the chance to make custom maps about various countries but to also find detailed information about those counties. Because of this, it can be a valuable tool for any research project or information gathering activity dealing with geography or social studies. The program makes excellent use of non-linear linking of information by having related icons at one's fingertips. For example, one could be in the Profile feature listening to Spain’s national anthem and within seconds, be making a topographical map of that country. A person could also browse the Find feature for a quick overview of any country’s popular phrases and have them translated into English and spoken in their native tongue. Most of the information found in the program can be printed out for research projects or information scavenger hunts. This is key because, there is no way to assess or track a student's or a group’s work once they have finished with the software.

Role of Students

The program allows students to either leisurely travel to whatever country interests them or to pinpoint various sources for a thorough research probe of a specific country. Because of the software's multimedia set-up, the software empowers students at different learning domains and levels to have access to a wealth of information regarding world geography. For instance, going to the Map Making feature allows one to find the cities of England that are the most populated. Activities that come to mind while using this software are information scavenger hunts, group research projects, or a formal research paper dealing with a country’s geographic feature. However, allowing a student too much unstructured time to browse through the program’s wealth of information might lead to playing on the 3-D Flight Simulator all period long. A student or a group of students need some structured activity like comparing the climates of the United States with those of Africa. Otherwise, they are wandering aimlessly and learning little.

Role of Teacher

Compton’s World Atlas allows the teacher to have a powerful reference source concerning world geography topics in the classroom or the school's technology center. Once the teacher runs through the various features with the students, the program will lead them to where they want to go. As mentioned before, the teacher might want to monitor that the students are on the features that pertain to the activity to guarantee the activity has structure and outcomes. For instance, find all the countries with deserts in them. The teachers may want to use one of the earth or weather features as a set initiation for a particular topic too. For instance, the teacher might show a video clip on ocean currents to start a discussion on the effects of ocean currents on coastal climates around the world.

Classroom Usage

The software would be best used individually or in small group because it is an interactive atlas program. However, the earth and weather features allow for some large group screenings of explanations on volcanoes or the Ring of Fire. There are many other video clips, pictures, songs and sounds from around the world to use if the classroom setting provides projection of software. The program can be used for other social studies courses, like history, but it works best with geography. Compton’s World Atlas provides a great deal of information to complement existing textbooks in the area of world geography, especially if there is only so much time for the subject in the overall curriculum.

Critical Summary

Compton’s World Atlas is a beneficial tool that enhances the research process and complements the existing curriculum dealing with world geography. The program’s multimedia approach and user friendly features enhance the learning process for students and create new learning approaches for teachers. The software is also very appropriate for the target ages of grades 5 through 9. The only shortcomings of the program are that it doesn’t allow for updating new formations of boundaries or states and it needs to have more types of maps to make.

Overall Rating (based on a scale of 1 to 10) 8

Explanation of Rating

Compton’s World Atlas is a valuable research program as an interactive atlas. It brings alive otherwise very stale maps and graphs and draws the students into a deeper understanding of the world around them. Although it has its minor weaknesses, the ease of using this software and its many features enable both students and teachers to truly enjoy learning about geography.

Lesson Plan on Compton's Interactive Atlas

Last revised: January 15, 2001