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The Election of 1912
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- Instructional design: Hypergate, Mac-database &
simulation, $45.00 or lab pack of 10 for $150.00, may be networked. Students focus
on the colorful election of 1912 through their efforts to elect Teddy
Roosevelt. There are two components to the program: 1) a database with information
on key historical figures, issues and events, including interesting graphics,
cartoon and advertisements of the period, 2) is the election simulation
game, with students playing the role of TR's campaign manager. Students
must engage in numerous activities by clicking on icons that examine
regional issues, access polls, send mail to famous people, allow travel to
several regions, as well enable them to make speeches and attend meetings.
- Technological integration: Designed as a showcase to
introduce Hypergate', a hypertext authoring system by Eastgate systems. There are
save campaign and note features but the program navigation's system if
unclear. In spite of the small dark 'breadcrumbs' that appear with some
of the topic buttons the software is difficult to navigate and often
disorienting. Bookmarks are difficult to retrieve. Although it uses early technology,
1912 fails to take full advantage of even, failing to create links
connecting users to key materials.
- Instructional appropriateness: Valid for the survey course.
Though I will continue to use 1912 until I have a replacement, I will
also supplement with additional materials. Instructors must decide if this
particular simulation is worth their students efforts and their own.
- Instructor support: Brief guide to key functions accompanies
software packet.
- Advantages: Simulation activities are designed to reflect the
election process of the erathe importance of building a campaign
organization, the need to appeal to the economic interests of different regions, and
the need for polling. Programs strongest aspect is its ability to engage
students in multifaceted issues, and to place the election in broader
context, asking them to make choices in order to get TR elected and change the
known outcome.
- Disadvantages: The database is useful but the simulation
portion of the program is less effective. The credits are inadequate. Newspapers
included are representations not actual replications of primary documents.
Many of the activities have no impact on the campaign managers
effectiveness. Although students may send mail requesting endorsements, they have no
impact on the games outcome.
- Authorship:
Mark Bernstein and Erin Sweeney, Eastgate Systems, 1988
- Student evaluation: Although requiring time, some students
feel the results are worth the effort. As with most software of this vintage
however, other students are impatient with the amount of effort that
must be expended to achieve the desired outcome.
- Time: one hour
- Rating: **