1-800-505-6133 (http://www.cwonders.com)

 SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION

Wide World of Animals is an extensive reference tool and educational program that is designed to teach students about the natural world. Particular focus is placed on animals, though there is also a good deal of non-animal related geography in the program. With the exception of one interactive game focused on identifying animals, the program is a database that focuses on providing factual information about different types of animals. There is no main menu, probably because the program is so extensive, but rather a pull down menu by which all of the different parts can be accessed. The screen that most closely resembles a main menu provides a menu of different topics that can be located. The most extensive menu is that of the animals, and the user can either type in a specific animal, or can cursor down a menu that is in alphabetical order. When an animal is selected, its environment is highlighted on a globe, its photograph appears on the screen, and the user can double click on the animal for more extensive information. Such information includes at least one large picture, several screens of information about the animal, its sound, and often a movie. In addition to locating information about specific types of animals, the program includes a variety of movies about related topics such as "extreme environments" and "animal cooperation", taxonomy trees, information about different types of environments, and tables of vital statistics on animals ("tail length", "number of offspring per birth", etc.). There is also a significant geography component of the program, including information on countries, climates, volcanoes, earthquakes, bodies of water, pollution, and mountains. Each of these features involves the presentation of pictures, many facts, and visual references on different types of maps. The program has multiple sections and is a compilation of a great deal of information.

The software’s content appears to be accurate, and is complete to the extent that it takes hours to begin to explore all of its different informative sections. The content is appropriate for curriculum, and as an interesting, comprehensive reference tool, could be incorporated into a wide variety of science and geography lessons. The program is designed for ages 6 and up, but it is much too difficult to be used by the younger end of this audience. No content errors or omissions are evident, but the addition of a main menu would be beneficial. The software appeared to be free of bias; human beings only occasionally appear in backgrounds of pictures, and in these instances, different races are represented.

Technically, this program is very strong. The program is easy to install, and no experience with installation is necessary, as the user simply has to click the mouse when given the initial option to install. Navigation systems are easy to use if the user is very familiar with pull-down menus and links. Because of the extensive nature of the software, it might take a while for students to become acquainted with all of the program’s features, but the icons and maps are easy to use. It is aesthetically pleasing, and sounds include pleasant background music, animal sounds and a narrator’s voice. The photographs and videos are technically excellent, and there are few solely decorative features in this functional program.

One of the strongest features of this program is its excellent use of technology. The technology allows the user to experience the animal kingdom in a manner that would be impossible through reading a textbook or watching TV. The sound is excellent, and the animal noises are authentic and interesting. When a student watches a video, he or she can freeze it and view frames, and can start and restart the video at any point from its beginning to end. Two particularly interesting animated videos are those that show the evolution of the horse and elephant. The software is a textbook example of non-linear programming! This is a particularly strong feature that maximizes its use of technology. At any point in the program, the user has the option of going to numerous different areas. When the user is viewing a description of a particular animal, he or she can click on any highlighted word for its definition, click on a "more information" key, which could lead elsewhere, go to a related animal’s page, find out more about a habitat, or use a pull-down menu to visit any of the past animals’ sites that had been explored.

In general, I think that the software is non-constraining because of its wide variety of topics and the amount of control it gave the user to freely explore many different areas. At no point in the program is a student "stuck" in a particular area. Due to the non-linear design of the software, it is always easy to exit a particular section and explore a new area. This easy access during the entirety of the program is a significant strength. For younger students, the program would likely be constricting because of their lack of reading skills necessary to properly explore and learn. The software does not provide students with the opportunity to construct a product in the program, but this is not necessarily a weakness. It is not designed for students to create a project through it, but it would be an excellent reference tool for a project being done in the classroom or any external environment. The program could be used to empower students by demonstrating that they can successfully research topics and find much information that is useful and interesting. In addition, it will help them realize that research can be fun!

The teacher’s role in the use of the software could vary greatly. If children are sufficiently independent, the teacher need not be involved, but I think that because the program is so extensive, students should be given a specific topic and direction in order to maximize its resources and not get distracted. Excellent teaching manuals are included, with many specific ideas for lesson plans that include a great deal of teacher involvement. Students will not need much monitoring, but a teacher should be accessible because the program’s non-linear and extensive nature might facilitate questions. No internal management tools for the monitoring of student learning are included. Students or teachers can modify the software in only one area: they are able to insert ‘map pins’ on a globe with locations that could be of particular interest to the class members (hometown, nearby cities, etc.) Such changes can be saved to the program, and provide an interesting manner through which to personalize the software.

The software can be easily used by one student, but can also be used with small groups. It could be effectively used as a demonstration on one computer that is projected to the entire class. This method would be particularly beneficial with younger students. It could be easily incorporated into units on geography or science, it would be advisable for teachers to consult the sample lesson plans. The software could also be used by students to explore during their free time without being assigned to a specific topic. The program could either be used in a classroom where only one student could use it while the rest of the class was otherwise occupied, or in a lab situation where each student had his or her own computer.

The software is technically excellent, interesting, and enjoyable. It contains an extensive amount of information, and would be a beneficial reference tool for lessons and projects in the areas of science and geography. Because of its extensive nature, students will need direction in its utilization, but during free time, it can also be used a means to let users freely explore its many directions. It is too difficult to be used by children under 5^th grade, but its graphics and videos would be of interest to all. Computer experience is needed to use the program, because the student must be very familiar with non-linear programming and pull-down menus. In is an excellent program that would be a definite asset to students in their research and would encourage interest in the natural world.

The program is an extensive database that makes excellent use of technology. It is accurate, non-biased, enjoyable, and provides the opportunity for the user to explore many areas of interest. It allows students to explore the fascinating world of animals in a manner that would be impossible without such technology. It can be used in a wide variety of settings, would be interesting to many age groups, and would be an asset to any classroom.