By Science for Kids. Introduces six classes of simple machines: inclined plane, screw, pulley, wheel and axle, lever, and wedge. For children, with games, poems, and stories. 1994. CD-ROM for Windows and Macintosh computers.
OSLO is meant to be an introduction to simple machines, and is not
comprehensive by any means. The introduction does little more than
show a picture, the name of the simple machine (both textual and
aural) and a brief animation of the simple machines. OSLO is good
about showing examples of the machines in use, but there is little
scientific explanation. Several of the animated diagrams are
interesting and helpful, but they are not supported by
explanations. OSLO offers some good examples of how the simple
machines are used in modern life, but there is little explanation,
reinforcement, or support for these examples.
It is interesting to
note that a majority of the programs offered by OSLO do not deal
with simple machines, or deal with them superficially.
The content was developed by Science for Kids, which claims to be
a collaboration of scientists, educators, psychologist, artists,
programmers, engineers, and children. Unfortunately, OSLO does not
overtly encourage users to seek more information from other
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Audience
As stated on the CD packaging, OSLO is aimed at children ages 5-14
(grades 5-9). The colorfully bright packaging, loud music and
sound effects, games, and cute OSLO the simple machine, help market
this CD-ROM to young children. It is not immediately obvious that
older children (ages 11-14) would be interested in OSLO. More
breadth and depth of the content would be helpful.
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Ease of Use
The interface is not consistent. Some of the terminology changes
between the different programs (e.g., "OSLO's coloring book" is
also "OSLO's art gallery.) Also, navigating buttons and hot-spots
change within each separate program. OSLO offers no searching or
reference source.
While the "menu" screen helps direct users to different OSLO
programs, once inside some ot these programs (for example OSLO's
Adventure), the user is left to randomly click around the screen in
order to find hot spots. Other OSLO programs offer some buttons to
guide users, but these vary from program to program.
The only semi-feedback comes from a sub-game of OSLO's Adventure
where the ATM machine asks mathematical equations and gives a
"Correct!" or "Try Again!" depending on the user's answer.
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Use of Animation
Much of the animation and video is helpful where the introduction
to simple machines is concerned, but it lacks any explanation for
younger users who may not be able to synthesize the needed
information. The animation in "Dolly's Dilemma" is entertaining
and colorful, and the movements in the games are adequate.
OSLO uses a lot of sound effects that are entertaining but not very
educational or purposeful. In the introduction, OSLO does offer
pronunciation of the six machine classes when users click on the
hot spot. The random animation and sound bites that come with
clicking a menu button seem to serve no purpose.
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System Requirements
Macintosh: MAC 25 MHz (68030 CPU), System 6.0.7 or
above, 13" screen, 256 colors, 3 MB available RAM, CD-ROM drive,
hard drive with 6 MB free.
PC: 33 MHz 80846 CPU, Windows 3.1, double speed
CD-ROM drive, 4 MB RAM, DOS 5.0, sound card, mouse, 6MB disk space.
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Final Comments
OSLO seems to have lots of bells and whistles but little content
that would make it worthy of purchase, especially for older
users.
Reviewed by Christa Harker