The Magic School Bus Explores the Ocean is an interactive software program developed by Microsoft and based on the popular children’s book series of the same name. This program introduces students to seven different ocean zones, including the beach, coral reef and deep sea. Users can explore each of these zones in four different ways: experiments, activities, games and reports. For example, in the sandy beach section, they can conduct an experiment on the factors that contribute to a wave’s intensity. Children can also build a sand castle as an activity, play a crab chase game and read reports on topics concerning the beach such as waves and currents and sea turtles. Users can navigate through these different zones by driving the Magic School Bus. Finally, a treasure hunt is included in the program. Users can search for clues throughout their journey to discover the hidden treasure.

 Accuracy of Content

 The content seems accurate and appropriate for the suggested target audience. Some areas link the experiments to the content of the report section. For instance, in the rocky tide pools section, one of the reports concerns the three tidal zones while the experiment involves placing animals in the correct tidal zones. I would probably have included more opportunities for children to apply the knowledge they had garnered from one section of the program to another. The software appears free of gender and racial bias. In the driver’s license section, users can create a license with their name and facial characteristics, including a wide variety of skin tones.

 The graphics are very colorful and engaging. The report section includes videos such as watching a sea turtle swim. The sound is generally very relaxing and promotes the feeling of being underwater. This program is pretty easy to run. However, I did find several problems during my testing of the product. Although there is a help screen with directions on how to travel to the various ocean zones, once in that zone there is not a help screen nor a place for verbal directions to tell the user how to proceed to an experiment, activity, game or report. There is an annoying continual noise in the driver’s license section. In addition, I thought the games were rather hard to figure out, even with the verbal directions. However, I think children are sometimes better than adults at figuring out how computer games work.

 The software does not allow for student tracking nor can teachers modify the program. However, the program is very visual and would be entertaining for children in grades 1-5. I see this program being used as an extension of an undersea unit. Students could gain knowledge from the report section of the program.

 Role of the Students

Students could use this software to investigate more closely a subject related to the ocean. For example, children could identify the various types of coral shown in the coral reefs section of this program and then reference this further in trade books in the classroom. Younger students could peruse the software and play games and activities. Older children could make a list of questions about the ocean that came up while using the software.

 Role of the Teacher

 The software requires little teacher involvement. However, teachers should explain how to navigate between areas and how to participate in the various applications for each ocean zone. The program included a terrific teacher guide with ideas for experiments and activities that could be conducted in the classroom. In addition, the guide lists science concepts covered in each ocean zone.

 I think this software would be best used as an extension of a unit on the sea. Children could also develop their own reports based on what they have learned in the experimental and report section. Teachers could develop a list of questions that students would have to answer through using the program. Children could also work in small groups to put together a report or essay and to answer questions.

 Critical Summary

 This software takes the user on an exotic journey through the ocean, making one feel like they are really swimming with the dolphins or exploring coral reefs. The graphics are extremely colorful and the soothing sounds help create the mood of an ocean exploration. However, the software could include a more interactive learning component, allowing users to put to use the facts they have learned on their journey. I also think the lack of a help screen upon arrival in the various ocean zones makes for confusion on what to do next.

 Overall Rating (on a scale of 1 to 10) :  7

 The classroom guide is excellent and a terrific resource for teachers. However, the software itself, although visually stimulating, does not allow for many applications in the classroom.