| NAME OF PRODUCT: Operation Neptune |
| PUBLISHER: The Learning Company |
| COPYRIGHT DATE: 1996 |
| Version Reviewed |
| Platform: WIN | Format: CD |
| Content Areas/Topics Covered: Math
|
| Intended Audience |
| Early Childhood (preschool-grade 1) | Adult Remedial |
| Elementary (grades 1-6) | Educator |
| Middle (grades 5-8) |
Special Needs |
| Secondary (grades 7-12) | General Interest/Other |
| Please rate the software on each of the listed categories according to the scale given. After completing each section, please provide supporting comments for your ratings. |
| Content | Poor | Fair | Average | Very Good | Excellent |
| Developmental/Age Appropriateness | 1 | 2 | |
4 | 5 |
| Educational Value | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
5 |
| Accuracy | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Interest Level/Appeal | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
5 |
| Interactivity | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Technical Quality (Audio, Visual, etc.) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| COMMENTS
Again, I'm not familiar enough with the developmental stages of kids to truly evaluate whether Operation Neptune is appropriate, but I know I enjoy it. It combines an arcade-style game where a submarine picks up capsules and dodging bobbing plants, threatening sharks, and fish that shoot arrows from their tails. However, every so often, in order to continue the game, the player has to do some type of math problem dealing with the Neptune mission: for example, determine how many quadrants have been searched by looking at a grid with part of it filled in, or adjusting the depth by adding or subtracting feet. Each time the player retrieves all the capsules in a sector, she also must complete some math problems. There is also an audio that updates the player on the status of the "operation". Kids may find this game a bit tame, but as I said, I get hooked on playing it! |
| USE | POOR | FAIR | AVERAGE | VERY GOOD | EXCELLENT |
| Ease of Use | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
5 |
| Clarity of Instructions | 1 | 2 | |
4 | 5 |
| Quality
of Support
Materials |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| COMMENTS
I'm not a computer-game devotee, so at first it was difficult for me to figure out how to work the controls, but I'm sure most kids wouldn't have too much trouble with it. There are no support materials for the version I had. |
| FEATURES | POOR | FAIR | AVERAGE | VERY GOOD | EXCELLENT |
| Feedback | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Adjustability/Multiple
Levels Offered |
1 | 2 | 3 | |
5 |
| COMMENTS
The player gets feedback in the form of continuing the game or have your oxygen depleted -- and if you don't get the right math answer, you have to start over looking for the canisters. The multiple levels come with practice -- the longer you play, the higher level you achieve. |
| OVERALL |
| Strengths
I enjoy this type of computer game that combines more of a video game with learning. I've played Operation Neptune for half an hour at a time just trying to make it to higher levels. I think kids would enjoy this because they get to practice math and play a game at the same time. Plus, you never know what kind of critter you will run into, so it's always surprising. |
Areas for Improvement
I can't see much to improve, unless making the directions easier to find. |
