Software Evaluation

Volcanoes: Life on the Edge by Corbis

Grade Level: 6-adult
Subject-Area: Earth Science - Volcanoes


This software works much like a videotape or encyclopedia article. It shows different locations and types of volcanoes. It follows a National Geographic photographer, Roger Ressmeyer, on his 14-month journey as a volcano chaser.

I think this piece of software would be a great resource for research project. It would also be useful to show bits and pieces to the whole class. However, if would be quite boring for the whose class to use the whole CD.

Strengths: This CD has wonderful photographs of many of the world's most active volcanoes. It is a great resource for research. If students were doing projects or papers on volcanoes, this would be a perfect tool. It provides a glossary of terms, that often include diagrams. It includes a map of the world and you can choose a location to study.

Weaknesses: I wish the information was set up in more of simulation, or even drill and practice. It is not very useable for elementary level students, as is noted on the cover. Much of the information is given in an auditory fashion. Younger students would tend to get lost in the presentation.

I enjoyed this software. It was just not what I was looking for. It was well-done, however, it did not suit my needs.