Christy+Krobath

The TimeMaps software The purpose of this software is to help students find order in information through timelines and sequences. The subject area is History but also gives some geographical information also. This software is appropriate for all grades K-12, but it seems more geared towards K-8 because the characters are portrayed in a cartoon styles and it may seem childish for the older student. It is instructional software that gives students information in an easy and fun way to learn. The use of this software would be ideal for a history class in a middle school setting. I could implement TimeMaps software to help students track the lineage of ruling families and the placement of events and their relation to other events. I could give the students a blank example of a family tree and have the students track the Tudor dynasty. This program is best for giving students a visual picture of history and helping them create a complete understanding for cultural dynamics and historically significant events and people. The program was a little tough to get the concept of when first starting the program and it is only available for purchase online in the UK. For any purchase made from outside of the UK one must contact the company by email. The cost of the program for single user and license is 49.50 Euros, for full network use and license is 249.50 Euros. The system requirements are: Windows NT4, 2000m ME, XP or MAC OS, Intel Pentium III 400 MHz or higher or Intel Celeron 400 MHz, 256 Mb RAM. The website link is: []

3D Weather Globe & Atlas 2 software The instructional/simulation software enables the students to view and understand the Earth and our Solar System. This software is suitable for grades 3-12 and the subject area is Geography and a bit of Geology. The program is similar to Google Earth (which is free), but allows the students to view the stars and planets, locate constellations, see weather elements, real-time weather data and gives detailed information on certain locations. The use of this software would be ideal in a middle school setting with the students assigned to investigate and explore a certain region that is being discussed in class. This program is best for providing the students with an in-depth look into the different regions. The cost is $69.95 for the School Version. The system requirements are: Win XP or G4, Mac OSX, 256 MB. The website link is: [|http://sotre.sunburst.com/ProductInfo.aspx?itemid-194080#complete]

Thinkwell-Economics This instructional/drill and practice software covers both microeconomics and macroeconomics and is an entire economics course that provides students with 10 minute lectures, practice examples, exercises, and the students’ activities are tracked. The software is suitable for grades 9-12 and even into college level of an economic course. This software could also apply to any business class that the school might provide as well. Since economics can be a difficult course, this software would be ideal for reinforcement of lessons learned in the classroom. The students could use the program as part of the lesson with grading the student on their tracked progress, or for extra practice for students who need additional support. This program also prepares the students for Advance Placement Exams and general College Prep Work. The cost of the software is $122.95 with a discount that makes the total cost $94.95. The system requirements are: an internet connection (56Kb or faster, broadband recommended), sound card; speakers or headphones, Intel Pentium II 450 MHz CPU or faster (or equivalent), Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista or later, 256 MB RAM, Mac Power PC G3 500 MHz or faster or Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz or faster, Mac OSX v10.4 or later, 256 MB RAM. The website link is: []

The Complete National Geographic This instructional software provides the students with every issue of the National Geographic Magazine of the last 120 years in an easy to use digital format. It is suitable for grades K-12, but would most likely be more suitable for the older students of 6-12. The use of this software is ideal for any subject area that requires research. For use in a History class, the software will allow students to study maps, learn about different cultures, and use for reference to research papers or other projects. I could give the students a lesson that requires them to be investigative reports that have been sent to different regions of the world. They would be able to reference any articles on their assigned place, and view pictures to gain a visual idea that places them in their journalist role. A weakness for this program might be that some of the information that is found on this program could be researched over the internet for free or through the library’s online article database. The cost of this program is $69.95 for 6 dvd-roms. The system requirements are: Intel Pentium III, 1 GHz or faster processor, 512 MB of RAM; Windows 7, Windows Vista Home Premium, Business Ultimate, or Enterprise including 64 bit editions, Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2 and SP3, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows 2000 SP4, and Windows 2003 server; Mac OS X, Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz or faster processor, Mac OS X 10.4.11 or Mac OS X 10.5.4 and 10.5.5 or Mac OS 10.6; 512 MB of RAM; internet access is required for some features. The website link is: []

Decision Decisions: Life on the Campaign Trail This simulation software provides the students with an opportunity to role-play an election scenario. It is suitable for grades 3-12, but would be best used in the higher levels. The use of this software would be ideal in a history, government, or leadership class. The students role-play as a third party candidate, are prompted with questions one would experience on the trail, teach them steps of Presidential elections, party politics, liberal vs. conservative policies, and the electoral college system. I could assign the students to groups of 5 and have each student within the group take a position in campaigning. The students could then share their experiences in the role-play with a presentation. The cost of this program is $111.98. The system requirements are: Windows OS 3.1/95/98, 8 MB, 256 colors, 640x480 resolution; Mac OS, 5 MB, 256 colors, 640x480 resolution. The website link is: []

Decisions Decisions sounds interesting for an American government class or history class. It sounds like it would encourage critical thinking skills since it makes students answer questions that they may be met with on a campaign trail. I think it would be a fun way to learn about government. Anne Marie Lay

The “TimeMaps” software seems very interesting to me. I didn’t find many history types of software, and this is a great one. I know some students don’t find history very interesting, and this kind of a program would make learning history very fun for them. I also really like the “Decisions Decisions” software. When election time rolls around this type of a program would be great in helping students to better understand politics. You found a lot of really good software for history and geography, I will remember to look at these when I begin teaching because I would really like to incorporate them into my lessons. Carlee Snarich

Kevin Davenport I think all of these programs can be implemented in a history class. I really liked the TimeMaps software because it will help students become more interested in history. Many kids now are just bored by books and even though the information is interesting the students just don't care. With Time Maps the students can interact with different time periods and know and understand a complete timeline. The 3D Weather Globe is also very interesting. Students are able to play around with the program and have fun and when it comes to actually doing work with the program I think students will find the work very interesting and visually stimulating.

The software called Decisions Decisions seems very educational!! It seems like students do not get a good grasp on politcs, and if they do it isn't until they are much older. Me being 19 I still do not get a good understanding on Politcs, and if I had this program I believe I would be real educated in this area. It also seems like students understand subjects better when they are actually acting the lesson out!! I wish this was used when I was learning about Politics!! Stephanie Zelones ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

I really like the first software you found called TimeMaps. It sounds like a big help in the classroom. I wish that would have been around for me to use. All of these sound really good for a history classroom. Samantha Osenbaugh