Interfact Atlas

Reviewed by Anise Hollingshead
Published by Two-Can Publishing

Age Group: Age 4 to 8, Age 8 and Up
Type: Social Studies, Reference
Price: $20

Requires: Windows 3.1, 3.11, 95 - 386/33 Mhz, 4M RAM

Description:

Think you know a lot about geography? Take a trip around the world with Interfact Atlas and see how much you really know - you may be surprised!

Interfact Atlas combines a colorful children's atlas with a CD-ROM of activities that mesh perfectly. The Atlas is full of information about peoples, industries, history and geography, plus facts about different types of maps. The activities on the CD-ROM encourage children to use research skills in looking at the Atlas for answers, plus serve as a reinforcement tool for retention purposes. Different activities include a map maker, jigsaw puzzle, several navigation games, a quiz, interesting geography facts, and a handy index of the atlas picture icons. When using the maps in the world view, clicking on the picture icons scattered around the maps will cause pop-up facts to appear.

Features:

  • Attractive children's atlas
  • Interactive CD-ROM
  • Randomized questions
  • Clickable pictures on the interactive maps
  • Map skills
  • Grid reference points introduced
  • Printable make-your-own map

Technical Aspects:

No installation is necessary under Windows 95/98 with Autoplay. The maps are clear and bright, with lots of colorful pictures representing various aspects of local culture and landmarks. There is no audio, so good reading skills are required. Instructions are simple and easily understood. The interface could be better (as in having the activities accessible from the menu), but is adequate.

Report and Conclusions:

What a great integration of methods! The beautiful book atlas is laid out very well, with lots of information designed to familarize kids with the countries of the world. The CD-ROM is an excellent enhancement for the book, with just the right amount of interesting activities. The only things I would like to see improved are the map activity (more items to place on the map would have been nice) and the jigsaw puzzle (needed puzzles with just the countries, besides the geographic area pieces offered), but even so, this is the best children's interactive atlas I've seen. A good reference tool for school or home.




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