Uncle Julius and the Anywhere Machine

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Program evaluation

I say:

This is a another fun adventure from Aha! Family Games but which again demands careful reading and problem-solving. Children can explore without reading the bite-sized chunks of text which accompany the excellent graphics, but eventually they realise that it's easier if they do read!

As with Santa's Secret Valley, I use this adventure in the homework club that I run as a way of encouraging reluctant readers. It's also good for boosting self-confidence and encouraging co-operative working.

And at Can$25 for the full version it's just got to be great value for money if your budget is tight. (And, again, if your budget is really, really tight, the shareware version with its restrictions is still a good start.)

Some of the puzzles are quite demanding so some students might need additional support, from an adult or older peer. Used like that it's great for providing a scenario in which higher level oral language skills are needed. I use it with 11-16 year-olds. It could be used with very able primary students?

It doesn't exactly fit into the UK's National Curriculum, but it does provide a setting where students have to learn not a series of facts but HOW to recognise and solve a problem. So, you probably couldn't use it in the school day (unless you're very, very brave and can take on the Woodhead / Ofsted demon), but it would be very valuable for your students during break, lunchtimes and after school. It's not drill and practice - it's fun. And, it does encourage higher level spoken language uses.

It's a sort of Canadian 4Mation / Mike Matson -type program. If you don't know what that implies then maybe it's not for you? If you do know what I'm talking about then you'll like this program.

Program Details

Family Games say:

"A dazzling, light-hearted blend of science and magic, fact and fancy, perplexing puzzles and quiet humor.
Parents will appreciate that this is a game that lets kids exercise their imaginations instead of their trigger fingers. Children of reading age can play on their own. Younger children can play along with an adult and develop their reading, mouse, and problem-solving skills while they have fun and share quality time.

Our story begins with a visit to Uncle Julius - that famous scientist and adventurer - at his house in the country. The bus brings you to his door - but Uncle Julius isn't there! It turns out that he's managed to land himself in some pretty serious trouble, and it's up to you to come to the rescue! Characters like the quaint little fellow at left may be of some help - or not - you'll have to find out for yourself.

In the end, you'll have to depend on your resourcefulness and perseverance to carry the day!"