Published by
Promark Software, Inc.
in collaboration with the
National Geographic Society. This program tests and reinforces
knowledge of states and their capitals, other major cities
and significant physical features of the U.S. while points are
scored for correct choices. Available for Windows, Macintosh, and
DOS. $29.95. ISBN 0-7922-2758-1. National Geographic Society
Product # 81097
[Back to Multimedia Reviews Index Page]
Content
The USA is divided into five areas of play: West, Central,
Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and South. The object of ZIPZAPMAP! USA is
to correctly position each state "piece" and place name as it falls
from the top of the screen.
The player selects the speed (slow, medium, fast), the difficulty
(beginner, intermediate, advanced), and the order (by type, i.e.,
all states, then all capitals, then all major cities, etc., or
random) in which map pieces will fall. The player also selects the
keys which will maneuver the pieces (right, left, rotate right,
rotate left, jettison, and place) as is common in many video-style
games played on a computer keyboard. [Top of
Page]
Special Features
This program has a H function which will give
hints if the player does not know where the item is located. (Use
sparingly since points are reduced by its use). It also contains
a pause feature (press the P key at any time to
take a break), but cannot save an unfinished game indefinitely.
Accompanying sounds are fun and make the action enjoyable. The
scoring feature (scores are displayed continually) gives the feel
of a video-game atmosphere rather than just another educational
routine. Fun and competition are built-in through the use of this
scoring system since students can play against their best game or
against someone else. There is also a repeat feature so that a
student can replay a section for an entirely new score after
learning the material. [Top of Page]
Educational Merit
This program is consistent with the educational goals of the
Geography Education Program developed by the National Geographic
Society. This program's efforts are to stress the five
themes of geography (location, place, human/environment
interactions, movement, regions) as a way to structure geography
courses, as a way to integrate geography into the curriculum, and
as a systematic framework for studying the world. [Top of Page]
Use and Audience
The pull down menus were accessible and self-explanatory. The
program was easy to start, stop, and changes were not difficult to
make. ZIPZAPMAP! was a 1994 Parents' Choice Honor Winner.
Recommended for Grades 4-12 and Adult. [Top of
Page]
Installation Details
Installation: Accompanying material include a
short User's Guide explaining the purpose of the programs, its
features and installation instructions. This program was installed
and tested on a Macintosh Performa 6115CD. There were no problems
and the software ran smoothly. No technical support was required
during testing.
System requirements: For Macintosh computers, at least 2.5 MB RAM; System 6.0.8, 7.0 or higher; 3.5" disk drive and hard drive.
Product support: The technical hotline (1-800 342
4460) at the National Geographic Society responded in under five
minutes when called and were courteous and friendly. [Top of Page]
How to Download a Demo Version
A demo version of ZipZapMap! USA is available from the
Promark Software web site. To go there, click
here.