Each region consists of a composite 360-degree graphic in which the user can pan left or right to move over the landscape and see links to the related topics. Moving the cursor over a hot spot causes the graphic to sparkle. Clicking once provides an audio caption. Clicking twice links to an essay with pictures or video. Each essay consists of two parts: a synopsis, which also has narration, and a further discussion of the topic. Words in blue link to a glossary. Users can quickly access dates, a timeline, or "tours" covering the topics of democracy, immigration, little-known facts about legal immigration quotas and discrimination, women in American history, and culture in America.
Not only do the articles in Skytrip America focus particularly on the nation's multi-culturalism. Students can hear different cultural perspectives on a region by clicking on the name buttons at the top of the navigator. Celebrity narrators include basketball player Chris Webber (African-American perspective); tennis champion Michael Chang (Asian-American perspective); comic magician Penn Jillette (European perspective); martial arts expert Daniel Pesina (Hispanic perspective); and storyteller Irene Bedard, the voice of Pocahontas in the Disney animated movie of the same name (Native-American perspective).
Skytrip America incorporates a "pony express" game reminiscent of the Carmen Sandiego titles. After receiving a post card with clues to its destination, the user delivers it to the proper person or place. This feature captures the youngster's interest and encourages research in U.S. history. There's also an opportunity to visit Willie Nelson's ghost town which also includes four games.
Students can create their own multimedia journals, saving the text, pictures, and video from the topics they visit. They can also complement this by recording their own thoughts and observations.
Despite some minor inaccuracies, a bit of oversimplification, and a lack of cross-references (e.g. "Buffalo Bill" to "Cody, William F." or "Monmouth" to "Battle of Monmouth"), Skytrip America provides hours of entertaining learning. It captures the interest of its target age group and makes American history fun. Even adults will enjoy it.
Norm Desmarais serves as Acquistions Librarian at Providence College.
©1996, ProMotion, inc.