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The
Map Detectives |
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Contact phone:
01666 843200, Triple Platform CD (Acorn, Mac and Windows). Price - (Do check Sherston for latest
prices)
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The
Map Detectives |
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Contact phone:
01666 843200, Triple Platform CD (Acorn, Mac and Windows). Price - (Do check Sherston for latest
prices)
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Program evaluation I say: This review is of the original Map Detectives. Now there are two new versions: Map Detectives Rural Mystery and Map Detectives Urban Mystery. These sound as good or better than this original version. Visit the Sherston site to see for yourself. This is software which helps students use maps to some purpose - rather than just learning about maps - which is pretty boring. For students who need to practise direction and sequence this is a fun way to do it. Use it with students from "8-13" says the blurb - but I reckon it'd be useful for older students also, especially those who want to practise directions! There are two adventures within the program. The first is a gentle introduction to maps, beginning with large-scale plans inside a house where the student has to match a picture to a plan of the same area in order to decide what is missing in the picture. Then the action moves to smaller-scale plans of the garden and grounds around the house and then to a larger area with a simplified OS-style map. The second adventure involves larger areas and smaller-scale maps again of different types. This is harder and does involve the use of paper maps which are supplied with the adventure. The teacher or student may set the difficulty levels, both for the mystery and the maps. This is a useful feature. I'd recommend this highly - it integrates mapwork, direction, distance, grid references and scale work in a meaningful manner. After using this it is hard to understand why anyone would want to go back to "traditional" ways of teaching mapwork . . . Perhaps one of its great features is that reading is also integrated into the mystery - you have to read to make progress. Perfect. |
Program Details Sherston say of the two new versions: The Map Detectives: Rural Mystery is the first in a series of two CD-ROMS that aim to teach geography and map skills in a highly original and motivating way. This impressive program not only contains new graphics, photographs and maps, it also introduces the exciting new Night time feature, providing a more challenging environment for pupils to practice and extend their map skills. In addition, The Map Detectives: Rural Mystery includes the new Explore mode, allowing pupils full access to each map, without having to complete the mystery. This mode has great potential for teachers wishing to promote open-ended exploration and set their own tasks. The Map Detectives: Urban Mystery Rich Spangle’s celebrity party was ruined when someone stole one of his most treasured possessions. Can your pupils use their geography and map reading skills to help track down the culprit? The strengths of the original Map Detectives now blend with many great new features and enhancements, including an exciting ‘Night time’ mode, route planning tools, alphabetical index, high-quality maps, and a ‘Beat the clock’ option. And of the original version (now no longer available) "This truly interactive CD ROM teaches geography, mapping and compass skills in a highly original way. Full of mystery and fun, this stimulating program, by best selling author Simon Hosler, requires children to make decisions which will effect the course of the adventure; their skill will determine how quickly they solve the mysteries. The program contains all the high quality resources you‘d expect to find on a CD ROM - including photographs, animations, sound etc., all cleverly interlinked in an ingenious story that changes every time you take up the challenge. Content includes: Grid references and route planning Perfect for use with 8 to 13 year olds." |
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