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 How The West Was One + Three x Four (West) is a math strategy game. The primary focus is on the mathematical order of operations. The object of the game is to race down the "number trail" and get to "Red Gulch" in as few moves as possible. To be successful the participant must construct and solve arithmetic equations. The player constructs the arithmetic equations from three randomly generated whole numbers. The game is devised in such a way that creating an equation with the largest whole number solution isn’t always the best move. There are short cuts, bumping of opponents and jumping ahead to the next town to consider. The "Sheriff" can offer "friendly" hints that will help students expand their understanding of mathematical operations and their ability to rationalize and solve problems.

  ACCURACY OF CONTENT

The software is accurate and complete. The package literature suggests that the game is applicable for students from grades 4 through 12 while the Sunburst "Best Seller" description asserts that the software is intended for grades 4 through 8. Nevertheless, this game is an excellent tool for introducing the operations concepts to students through the middle school level. Students in grades 4 through 8 will be challenged in strategy development and equation building while racing to Red Gulch against a peer; the computer opponent whose play is adjusted to his or her level; or the computer playing very well. More advanced middle school students will find the "round trip" contest that requires the students to create equations with negative solutions tricky and thought provoking. The package is applicable to those students in grades 9 through 12 who are mathematically challenged and may have difficulty grasping mathematical operations concepts. It also serves as a fine refresher for these students. Advanced students at the high school level may find the game too simplistic and unchallenging in short order. West provides for cooperative participation allowing students to team together. No content errors are evident and the software instructions are straightforward. The game could be made more applicable to the advanced student by incorporating construction of equations with powers and roots. This could be done as an advanced level without making the current game structure too complicated for the average or challenged student. The game may be visually more appealing to boys with its "Wild West" motif, but asides from that the game is not gender specific with no appearance of ethnic stereotyping. A nice feature of the software game is that it allows the student to choose either a male of female voice for the game host.

 The software installation is straightforward and it is very easy to run. Computer expertise is not necessary for installation, as the written instructions are easy to navigate through. West is offered in MAC and Widows versions and is also available in disk or CD-ROM. At startup, the player has the option to select his or her opponent by choosing one of four game selections. After that point the players can start playing or choose any one of four menus. The File menu enables students to print screens and load and save games. The Games menu allows students to select another game. The Directions menu explains the object and the rules of the game. This is an especially nice feature in that the instructions overlap the game board making the directions very clear. However, I was unable to print the screen with the game board and directions. This would be a nice feature when working with slower or learning disabled students. The game board by itself can be printed. The directions are easy to read and follow. Another nice feature of the Directions menu is an "order of operations" selection that encourages the player to self-quiz and review the mathematic operations principals that are necessary to successfully play the game. The Top 10 menu may be viewed to show the most recent winners. The Options menu allows students to alter the game board settings unless locked by the teacher. The Teacher menu permits the teacher to customize the game difficulty to a desired level. The software graphics, sound and animation are simple and border on the austere in comparison to other similar software packages. This is also the charm of the software. The game keeps the players on task with very little to distract them.

 USE OF TECHNOLOGY

 This is a no frills software package. The game board appears flat and would be more appealing if it were given some dimension. The board also takes up about half the screen. It would be easier on the eyes if it were larger. The software allows the teacher to set the level of difficulty if desired and integrates a feature for student tracking. This package incorporates a Student Data sheet. It’s laid out well and gives the teacher insight as to who is and is not grasping the concepts of operations. The data sheet provided for teacher viewing is a condensed version of the data a participant can obtain at the end of his or her game.

West enables those students who benefit from drill and practice teaching techniques to expand their abilities in the problem-solving forum. This product is well suited for topic introduction and evaluation of student progress, but should not be considered for final assessment. The software creates a spirit of healthy competition between students and ultimately promotes student interaction and discussion. West is certainly a confidence builder for those students struggling to grasp the mathematics operations concepts.

Sunburst provides excellent lesson and activity material for the teacher to utilize in conjunction with the software. The teacher should introduce students to the concepts of operations prior to game playing as West suggests with Classroom Lesson 1. The game is straightforward and students will not require much monitoring. However, since this product is well suited for slow or learning disabled students the teacher will have to adjust accordingly. Sunburst includes five lesson plans and fourteen classroom activities with this package. The plans and activities allow the teacher to expand on the concepts and familiarize students with game strategy at the same time. The teacher will want to supplement the software worksheet activities with appropriate text material.

 CLASSROOM USAGE

The software can fit into the classroom in a variety of ways. Students can play singularly or in pairs while independent class work is being done. If there is access to an LCD the whole class can participate in a collaborative effort to win the race to Red Gulch. The software complements classroom material as either part of the lesson, fun review, or for teacher evaluation of student progress.

 CRITICAL SUMMARY

Overall, this software package can be a very effective teacher’s aid in motivating and encouraging students to master the fundamental concepts of mathematical operations. It is not a glitzy package and could certainly use a little spicing up. Its user friendliness makes it a winner with students who may be otherwise intimidated with math and technology.

 OVERALL RATING (ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10) 8

 EXPLANATION OF RATING

How the West Was One + Three x Four is introduced as a "strategy game in which the students are introduced to the order of operations ..." The software achieves that objective. While the more gifted students may find the game tedious after they have mastered the mathematical concepts, the struggling and average student will find the game enlightening, challenging and most of all helpful.

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 Last revised: January 15, 2001