eval.htm

Software Evaluation

For Educational Purposes

Colorforms: Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts

Computer fun set

TITLE of the software
Sailor Moon Colorforms Computer Fun Set, Shareware and on CD ROM.

Where can you get it, and what resources ($) are needed

The Gryphon Software Corporation, 1996.

7220 Trade Street, Suite 120, San diego, CA 92121

Phone: (800) 795-0981, FAX: (619) 536-8815

Down load : http://www.gryphonsw.com/

Registration:$20.87 Aus

E-mail: info@gryphonsw.com

For the CDROM the cost is: US$ 39, AUST $ 50

Is it worth it? (will the cost be worth x hours of time over its foreseeable life?)
This review comes from a demo on a CD Rom. So please bear in mind that the full potential of this software with any students should be evaluated with a fully functional program. The functional program comes with nine background images and four modules. The text is also pronounced while been typed. Although the software is focussed on a selection of cartoon characters that can fall out of favour with students as in the case of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles . The educational aspects can be extended through the use of import images and backgrounds to involve the students in creating their own scenes and publications. This can be seen as a lower primary school introduction to desk top publication and Web page construction.

Which Grade level(s) is it for?
A student in the Gr 1, 2 lower primary school with a focus accent on interpersonal and social relationship skills

Which Area(s) of the National Curriculum could it relate to?

Studies of the Environment and Society, English, Mathematics.

Band A, Level 1, 1.2, 1.9, 1.10, 1.17 for the SOSE area

In what KITO model(s) could it be expected to be used in ?
Kito: Level 1, Publishing, Construction of simple text with graphics and print out the result for class review. Peer assessment should be a part of the process at this level to further encourage group interaction

What are the system requirements?

This program comes in both Macintosh and Windows versions.

Windows:

IBM PC or compatible, 386/16 or higher, 4MB of RAM, 5MB of Hard Disk space available,VGA 256 colour display, Microsoft 3.1 or later, Mouse or Compatible pointing device, Sound Blaster Compatible Sound Card

Macintosh

Macintosh II or greater, 4MB of Ram, 4MB of hard disk space, Colour monitor, System 7.0 or later. Sound Card

What does a typical target student think of it in a classroom environment ?
This software was trialed with a Gr 1 student in a classroom situation. The start up was easy enough on the PC with a click on the colorform icon. The child typed in their name and clicked on the "thumbs up" ok sign to enter into the first screen . The geometric shapes were the first focus of attention, an attempt to place the shape on the screen resulted in disappoinment. The child then saw the "hand icon" and cliced on it with the mouse. A further click and drag on the "smiley face icon" resulted in a circle apperaing with a colour within the circle. A click on another colour then on to the shape failed to change the colour there. The"paint can" icon was then clicked and a resulting change in colour registered the fact that this icon changed the colour. An attempt to change the background , led the student to click the background icon. The resulting change in the screen led to a question "Are there any people to put there" By clicking on the arrows the student found a new selection of images. The student then started placing these imges into a social setting of a male and female with a cat, in front of the background image of a house. Each image as it was placed, created the sound effects associated with the image. This sound effect the student found very interesting, but as they pointed out did little for the image. A print out was attempted but the icon was not available in this demo. I then showed through creative modelling, how to hit the print option uder the file task bar. The print out on a Colour printer created a exceptional sense of pride in the student from the finished product. An inquiring question from me asked as to the possiability of a book being created using this publishing method. This brought a vigorous amount of head nodding and smiling.

How did I get it going and was is the installation process?
The CD ROM was loaded and the CD drive "D" clicked to bring up the screen .The "Educat" folder was opened then a folder with "Smcfs" came on screen . A double click on the "ColorForm icon" then opened the screen for the input of a name on to the registration screen. The instructions for entering your name were spoken as well asin a large text form. Double click on the "OK" button opened up the first blank page. A short cut icon for the screen was created for later easier access when loading the CD ROM.

Was there any documentation?
This demo was fully functional with documentation outlining the limitations associated with the demo and including read.me instructions for set up. The production team credits and order form for the CD ROM were also part of the demo release notes. See the above

Could I use it easily?
The access was very easy as shown in the installation process, but the exit was hard, as there is no exit icon or button on screen. The exit was made by going to file and then to quit. The frustration to a child without this knowledge of how to exit from the screen would be a sure way of encouraging disinterest in the software. Saving and printing on the fully functioning version is a simple click on the appropriate task button operation located on the bottom of the screen.

Do I have to make a file to go with it
Only if the software is downloaded shareware Down loading the software will require a file to be setup in the hard drive. The protection of this software can be established with the creation of a short cut icon on screen to avoid the possiability of accidental trashing. Since the CD ROM was self loading on the demo, a short cut icon was established once the program had being run to facilitate easier access.

Description of the activity in the software, and how it might fit into a curriculum or classroom context.

The activity consists of the placement of preformatted images and development of a scene from this to create a story line. The Drop and Drag capabilities of this program make the ease of page construction a breeze. The student also has the option of importing a personal scene (bedroom or house in a BMP or JPEG format) from another file as a background. The program provides a selection of colours, shapes to fill the images and backgrounds if needed on a blank screen. Writing and typing skills are included witha type and speak component. The student types in a sentence or word in a font and size preselected by the teacher. This sentence or word is then repeated back to the student upon clicking the speaker tool button located on the bottom task bar. The selection of fonts available is dependent on the platform used and can range from 20 to 75 styles of font depiction. The best for Gr1 to 2 is "Lucida Handwritng and Sand Writing " both available on Macintosh platforms. NOTE when students activate the text button a "T" appears on the screen as a pointer. This is not a letter, the mouse button has to be double clicked to create a text box. This box disappears on completion of the word or sentence, leaving the text directly on the screen image. Geometric objects are also included as a maths oriented facet of the software with an emphasis on place value using the different size shapes.

The game when first approached as a uninitiated adult seems to be a collection of characters that have no relationship to real life. But as you start to create the scenery from the imagery and colours provided, they can be used to play out various social settings. The house scene, night time scene are very much like any suburban setting in Australia. The character of Sailor moon and her Sailor Friends (mostly female and a CAT) have already been seen by a number of Gr1, 2 students at home on the television (e.g. on the ABC in Victoria). A young school girl Serena who when shouting the words "Moon Prism Power" brings her alter ego the female character Sailor Moon to life. This character, along with other like friends have adventures bringing help to those in need. They do include a male "Tuxedo Mask" who has been called the ultimate new age guy. Tough yet with out malice or overt violence from the character's role in the cartoon series.

These characters to children have a synonymous relationship with been the instigators of social actions that assist people in need. The essential skills of cooperative learning have a foundation in the creation of positive role models that the students recognise and relate to.

Included are some screen shots with a description of the characters and task bar actions

A screen shot of Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask and cat in a street scene. The background was loaded as one of the scene images. The task bar showing the selection of images is to the right of the screen. The "hand" button is depressed to indicate this action is on . The text tool is indicated with a "T" on the button.

The geometric module of the demo below showing a selection of shapes used and the task bar on the left of the screen. The colour palette is on the right of the screen with a sample of patterns available. The print icon was unavailable in the demo version. The wand button to the left of the bottom task bar is used to clear individual images from the screen by touching them with the pointer. This is changed into a wand by activating the button.

To return to Neil Harris home page

To go to the lesson plan associated with this software

This text is a hyper link and will be displayed in blue. When clicked it will give you the Faculty of Education Home Page

This is a UTAS student page. Complaints to web-manager@educ.utas.edu.au

TITLE of the software	Sailor Moon Colorforms Computer Fun Set, Shareware and on CD ROM.
Where can you get it, and what resources ($) are needed	The Gryphon Software Corporation, 1996. 7220 Trade Street, Suite 120, San diego, CA 92121 Phone: (800) 795-0981, FAX: (619) 536-8815 Down load : http://www.gryphonsw.com/ Registration:$20.87 Aus E-mail: info@gryphonsw.com For the CDROM the cost is: US$ 39, AUST $ 50
Is it worth it? (will the cost be worth x hours of time over its foreseeable life?)	This review comes from a demo on a CD Rom. So please bear in mind that the full potential of this software with any students should be evaluated with a fully functional program. The functional program comes with nine background images and four modules. The text is also pronounced while been typed. Although the software is focussed on a selection of cartoon characters that can fall out of favour with students as in the case of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles . The educational aspects can be extended through the use of import images and backgrounds to involve the students in creating their own scenes and publications. This can be seen as a lower primary school introduction to desk top publication and Web page construction.
Which Grade level(s) is it for?	A student in the Gr 1, 2 lower primary school with a focus accent on interpersonal and social relationship skills
Which Area(s) of the National Curriculum could it relate to?	Studies of the Environment and Society, English, Mathematics. Band A, Level 1, 1.2, 1.9, 1.10, 1.17 for the SOSE area
In what KITO model(s) could it be expected to be used in ?	Kito: Level 1, Publishing, Construction of simple text with graphics and print out the result for class review. Peer assessment should be a part of the process at this level to further encourage group interaction
What are the system requirements?	This program comes in both Macintosh and Windows versions. Windows: IBM PC or compatible, 386/16 or higher, 4MB of RAM, 5MB of Hard Disk space available,VGA 256 colour display, Microsoft 3.1 or later, Mouse or Compatible pointing device, Sound Blaster Compatible Sound Card Macintosh Macintosh II or greater, 4MB of Ram, 4MB of hard disk space, Colour monitor, System 7.0 or later. Sound Card
What does a typical target student think of it in a classroom environment ?	This software was trialed with a Gr 1 student in a classroom situation. The start up was easy enough on the PC with a click on the colorform icon. The child typed in their name and clicked on the "thumbs up" ok sign to enter into the first screen . The geometric shapes were the first focus of attention, an attempt to place the shape on the screen resulted in disappoinment. The child then saw the "hand icon" and cliced on it with the mouse. A further click and drag on the "smiley face icon" resulted in a circle apperaing with a colour within the circle. A click on another colour then on to the shape failed to change the colour there. The"paint can" icon was then clicked and a resulting change in colour registered the fact that this icon changed the colour. An attempt to change the background , led the student to click the background icon. The resulting change in the screen led to a question "Are there any people to put there" By clicking on the arrows the student found a new selection of images. The student then started placing these imges into a social setting of a male and female with a cat, in front of the background image of a house. Each image as it was placed, created the sound effects associated with the image. This sound effect the student found very interesting, but as they pointed out did little for the image. A print out was attempted but the icon was not available in this demo. I then showed through creative modelling, how to hit the print option uder the file task bar. The print out on a Colour printer created a exceptional sense of pride in the student from the finished product. An inquiring question from me asked as to the possiability of a book being created using this publishing method. This brought a vigorous amount of head nodding and smiling.
How did I get it going and was is the installation process?	The CD ROM was loaded and the CD drive "D" clicked to bring up the screen .The "Educat" folder was opened then a folder with "Smcfs" came on screen . A double click on the "ColorForm icon" then opened the screen for the input of a name on to the registration screen. The instructions for entering your name were spoken as well asin a large text form. Double click on the "OK" button opened up the first blank page. A short cut icon for the screen was created for later easier access when loading the CD ROM.
Was there any documentation?	This demo was fully functional with documentation outlining the limitations associated with the demo and including read.me instructions for set up. The production team credits and order form for the CD ROM were also part of the demo release notes. See the above
Could I use it easily?	The access was very easy as shown in the installation process, but the exit was hard, as there is no exit icon or button on screen. The exit was made by going to file and then to quit. The frustration to a child without this knowledge of how to exit from the screen would be a sure way of encouraging disinterest in the software. Saving and printing on the fully functioning version is a simple click on the appropriate task button operation located on the bottom of the screen.
Do I have to make a file to go with it	Only if the software is downloaded shareware Down loading the software will require a file to be setup in the hard drive. The protection of this software can be established with the creation of a short cut icon on screen to avoid the possiability of accidental trashing. Since the CD ROM was self loading on the demo, a short cut icon was established once the program had being run to facilitate easier access.
Description of the activity in the software, and how it might fit into a curriculum or classroom context.	The activity consists of the placement of preformatted images and development of a scene from this to create a story line. The Drop and Drag capabilities of this program make the ease of page construction a breeze. The student also has the option of importing a personal scene (bedroom or house in a BMP or JPEG format) from another file as a background. The program provides a selection of colours, shapes to fill the images and backgrounds if needed on a blank screen. Writing and typing skills are included witha type and speak component. The student types in a sentence or word in a font and size preselected by the teacher. This sentence or word is then repeated back to the student upon clicking the speaker tool button located on the bottom task bar. The selection of fonts available is dependent on the platform used and can range from 20 to 75 styles of font depiction. The best for Gr1 to 2 is "Lucida Handwritng and Sand Writing " both available on Macintosh platforms. NOTE when students activate the text button a "T" appears on the screen as a pointer. This is not a letter, the mouse button has to be double clicked to create a text box. This box disappears on completion of the word or sentence, leaving the text directly on the screen image. Geometric objects are also included as a maths oriented facet of the software with an emphasis on place value using the different size shapes. The game when first approached as a uninitiated adult seems to be a collection of characters that have no relationship to real life. But as you start to create the scenery from the imagery and colours provided, they can be used to play out various social settings. The house scene, night time scene are very much like any suburban setting in Australia. The character of Sailor moon and her Sailor Friends (mostly female and a CAT) have already been seen by a number of Gr1, 2 students at home on the television (e.g. on the ABC in Victoria). A young school girl Serena who when shouting the words "Moon Prism Power" brings her alter ego the female character Sailor Moon to life. This character, along with other like friends have adventures bringing help to those in need. They do include a male "Tuxedo Mask" who has been called the ultimate new age guy. Tough yet with out malice or overt violence from the character's role in the cartoon series. These characters to children have a synonymous relationship with been the instigators of social actions that assist people in need. The essential skills of cooperative learning have a foundation in the creation of positive role models that the students recognise and relate to.
Included are some screen shots with a description of the characters and task bar actions	A screen shot of Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask and cat in a street scene. The background was loaded as one of the scene images. The task bar showing the selection of images is to the right of the screen. The "hand" button is depressed to indicate this action is on . The text tool is indicated with a "T" on the button. The geometric module of the demo below showing a selection of shapes used and the task bar on the left of the screen. The colour palette is on the right of the screen with a sample of patterns available. The print icon was unavailable in the demo version. The wand button to the left of the bottom task bar is used to clear individual images from the screen by touching them with the pointer. This is changed into a wand by activating the button.