Publisher: DNA Multimedia

Reviewer: Thomas Palmer

Target Population: Grades 7 -12

 INTRODUCTION:

To be honest, when I started this program I had very little knowledge of the number or quality of educational social studies and history programs that could be had. Basically, I walked into our classroom and was inundated with the enormous multitude of available programs. With a bit of sweat on my brow, I decided to jump into this project head first and start with the educational software that would most benefit my own educational interests. "Where are the social studies or history programs?" I exclaimed to my instructor. She quickly pointed to a pile of boxes that were teetering next to a fellow student, who was abusing her keyboard with a fury that was unparalleled by anyone else in the class. Undaunted, I approached this rickety stack of boxes and my instructor immediately pointed out a newly acquired product called "The Silk Road." My first thought was, "Oh yes, that deals with the travels of Marco Polo." Well, to be truthful, this program deals with a lot more than just our famous Mr. Polo. The point of telling you (the reader) about this episode in my life, is that I am like many of you. I have little knowledge of what's out there for us teachers to use when it comes to educational software. So, really, we're doing this review together as novices. I encourage you to explore and review this program for yourself if you are not satisfied with my appraisal.

I believe that educational software should:

• Be easy to comprehend
• Be easy to use
• Facilitate the teacher
• Have good lesson plans
• Be geared toward the assigned target group

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Silk Road is an interactive CD ROM that explores both the past and the present-day functions of this historic trade route. This software covers five different aspects of the Silk Road: (1) The history, (2) the religions, (3) the various peoples cultures and ethnicity's, (4) the languages and (5) the explorers that made the road famous. The user begins at a main screen that is designed to look like an open marketplace. There are five different colored bags of grain that each pertain, respectively, to the five different sections covered within the program. When the user points the cursor into the open top of any one of the bags of grain, he or she will get a preview of one of the particular topics covered. The previews are audio descriptions and images that cleverly entice the user to explore further.

Each of the five main sections has a "University Test" at the end. These tests, if passed, provide the user with a "key word", which can be used to enter another section of the program called "The Cave."

The Cave and Journey are two additional sections that add interest to the program for the user. "The Cave" is an enigmatic part of this program. In order to enter this cave, one must solve a puzzle and in order to solve the puzzle, one must pass a myriad of multiple choice questions (the University Tests) that increase in their level of difficulty. These questions are worth a set number of points. The most difficult questions are worth 55 points, least difficult questions are worth 25 points and questions of medium difficulty are either 35 or 45 points. To make the multiple choice testing portion of the program even more challenging, the programmers designed the tests along a number line that is both negative and positive, so that an incorrect answer could place the user into the negative numbers. Even more interesting, is the standard passing score that is set at 325 points. If the user does not meet or exceed 325 points, he or she is told to try again later after studying the books some more. The first time I tried the "peoples" test, I scored a spectacular -110! To add even greater anxiety, the programmers confined the total number of attempts to ten. There are a total of sixteen questions, four for each set number of points (4 @ 55, 4 @ 45…etc.). So, if a student attempts to answer only the less difficult questions he or she will not have enough points to pass the test. The student is forced to answer at least two of the harder questions; and remember, if the student misses a question they lose points! Every time a person attempts a test, the questions are rearranged so that he or she cannot choose only the questions that they are sure of in order to get the 325 points necessary. If all goes well, and the user passes all the tests, he or she is given a "key word" at the university, which can be used to solve the puzzle grid at the entrance to The Cave. These tests are well conceived and implemented and, in my opinion, would keep the student interested.

The "Journey" section, mentioned earlier, takes the user along the full length of the Silk Road today, from its beginning to its end. The Journey section also gives the user more control over the learning process. One is asked if they would prefer to travel with Marco Polo or another guide. Another question concerns the mode of transportation that one might want to use. In any case, the "Journey" section is mainly a personal preference area. Incidentally, personal choice is also encouraged during the testing parts of the program. The user is given a choice of music to listen to while taking the test (nice touch).

The five main sections of this program are the primary learning centers for the user.

1. The history section contains narrated, animated presentations frequently accompanied by photographs and additional articles of interest. There are four different topics in the history section and one of the four has three subtopics. The first topic, "Zeus Meets Buddha," describes how the mixing of cultures can affect the cultures of all involved. Many aspects of Greek culture can be found in foreign cultures that were conquered by the prominent figure of Alexander the Great. On the other hand, the Greeks incorporated many aspects of their conquered cultures into their own. The second topic, "Birth of the Silk Road," relates the history of how the Silk Road came into being. The third topic, "Exchange and Routes," has three subtopics: "Silk and Gold," "Exchange," and "The Routes and the Misleading Name." Finally, "Eclipse" looks at five factors that led to the demise of the Silk Road.

 

2. The religions section contains in-depth looks at Buddhism and Islam, while just touching on Manichaenism, Nestorian Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. This section has a number of activities designed to teach the user about the basic principles of these religions. One is taught about the holy books of five different religions and there is a simulation to help the user grasp Buddhist principles.

 

3. The peoples section looks at eight different cultural groups in the Silk Road region. Each group is explored using photographs, audio commentary, articles, indigenous music, animations and onscreen activities.

 

4. The language section leads the user through three main parts: The Languages of the Silk Road, the "How Difficult Are They" part and the "Survival Basics" part. The "How Difficult Are They" subsection examines the four families to which most Silk Road languages belong. Survival Basics, looks at how travelers can use body language and gestures to overcome language barriers.

 

5. The explorers section consists of three subsections: (1) The Chinese Explorers, the Medieval Explorers and the Treasure Hunt. The first two are somewhat self explanatory, the third subsection examines the European and Russian explorers and mercenaries.

CONTENT CLARITY:

The program is historically accurate, but I did find some syntax errors in the religious section (something that I believe a good editor could easily take care of). The information provided within this program is vast. Though some of the content may not be appropriate for certain ages within the target population, there is enough age appropriate data for a good teacher to adapt lesson plans that would suit his or her students. The content is easy to access, once the program is up and running, and the aesthetics of the program are outstanding.

TECHNICAL QUALITY:

The graphics and sound quality of this software are very good. The user is offered a choice of five to six different styles of indigenous music to listen to throughout the program's testing stages. There are frequent interactive-multiple choice quizzes that are included in every section; and the student is required to move animated or graphic images, during these phases, in order to answer a majority of the questions. The colors and photos that are used in each section are both pleasing to the eye and fantastic examples of the people and environments of the Silk Road area. Some of the interactive pop quizzes are a bit ambiguous in certain areas, but other than that, the overall technical quality is good.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY:

This software allows students great personal freedom and an entertaining learning structure that will keep their interest. The program also uses a number of the multiple intelligence's and makes effective use of the natural curiosities of kids. Both concrete and abstract questions are asked of the user. Students are exposed to the do's and don'ts of body language, the connections between the languages of the Silk Road and the rest of the world, and the historical significance of this famous transportation route. The only negative technology factors of this program that I find are:

1. The vague nature of some of the quizzes (which might keep students

from working independently)

2. Some of the information provided may not be appropriate for the target age group
3. The syntax errors need to be rectified before the software is distributed

ROLE OF THE STUDENT:

Once the students become more familiar with the software, and they are assigned to the age appropriate content, there should be few problems. This program does not lend itself well to independent work. The students will need to have the program demonstrated to them until they become more relaxed with its modus operandi.

ROLE OF THE TEACHER:

As stated before, this program is vast! Therefore, the teacher will need to design, implement and assist the students in deciphering the meanings behind some of the information provided. Demonstrations in proper usage will be required, and further assistance with comprehension and/or understanding of religious doctrines might also be necessary. This program emphasizes religious teachings that are found in the vicinity of the Silk Road. For instance, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and other religious doctrines are reviewed, some more thoroughly than others. Religious and political topics are subjects that can easily stir the orderly atmosphere of many a classroom. Teachers should certainly use the lesson plans provided by the company, but they should also see to it that those lesson plans are modified into something that is acceptable for their particular classroom environment.

CLASSROOM USAGE:

This software is best suited to individuals or small groups, because of the nature of the information. The Silk Road program should have direct instruction and assistance from the professor. The information provided is good, but it could be controversial for some students or easily misunderstood.

CRITICAL SUMMARY:

The Silk Road is an ingenious concept in educational programming that needs further revision. This program (CD ROM) has imagination, variety, and an entertaining quality that gives it a unique niche within the subject of social studies and history; but I do have some concerns about its scope, level of content, and lack of editing.

OVERALL RATING:

The content of this program is good, but it could be sensitive for some. Furthermore, parts of the content might be above the heads (in my opinion) of the younger members of the target audience. Overall, the program's design is fair to good and with a little more revision it could be spectacular all the way around!

RATING: