Educational Software for High School And Up
        
           Your PCjr can be a very effective teacher 
          when combined with good educational 
          software. In this, the third of a series of 
          columns on educational software for the 
          PCjr, we provide a series of capsule reviews 
          of some programs that have either received 
          awards from educational publications or have 
          been highly recommended in published 
          reviews. These programs are generally for 
          high school students, adults and precocious 
          youngsters. 
          ++++++ Ticket to Paris  ++++
           Family Computing Magazine gave this 
          language learning program four stars -- its 
          highest rating. The program takes you to 
          Paris in search of a cousin who refuses to 
          come home with you until you have found him 
          and accumulated 250 points. You are provided 
          with a map of the city, a French-English 
          dictionary, some money and a calendar/score 
          card. You have two weeks to find your 
          cousin, using clues provided after correctly 
          answering the beautiful "Quizzing Woman," 
          who pops up repeatedly as you search the 
          city. Her questions are provided with a
          multiple choice answer format, so you do not 
          have to start this learning game with a 
          knowledge of French. Cost: $30 - $40. 
         ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************ions. When you play against the 
          computer you can set its IQ level. Comes 
          with a 32 page manual. This program won the 
          1985 Critic's Choice Award from Family 
          Computing Magazine. 
          ++++++ Edu-Ware Algebra Series  ++++
           A series of six diskettes that uses full-
          color, high resolution graphics, charts and 
          detailed instructions. "Information Maps" 
          allow you tos ee how wll you are doing and 
          where your weaknesses are. There is a 
          learning style option that lets you decide 
          how you want to see the information -- in 
          the form of discussion, rules, examples or 
          sample problems. Program allows you to 
          advance to new concepts when you feel ready, 
          or to backtrack and review previous lessons. 
          Volume 6 has a comprehensive post-test of 
          the whole series. This series was chosen by 
          Media and Methods Magazine as one of the 
          best educational programs of 1985. Each 
          volume costs from $39 to $49 each. 
          Publisher: Eduware. Requirements: 128K. 
          ++++++ SAT Preparation  ++++
           It has been said by qualified educators 
          that SAT scores can be raised by as much as 
          100 point through a systematic study 
          program. This particular software program 
          published by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, one 
          of the giants of educational publishing, 
          does not guarantee such an improvement, but 
          it does provide the method for a student to 
          use toward that goal. It includes study 
          drills and simulated SAT tests. It analyzes 
          the student's strengths and weaknesses and 
          provides a detailed study plan based on that 
          analysis. Comes with a 470 page book 
          entitled, "How To Prepare for the SAT." 
          Cost: $79.95 (Retail). Requirements: 64K. 
          ++++++ Agent USA  ++++
           Agent USA was named "Best Game of the 
          Year" by Electronic Games Magazine. As a 
          secret agent, your mission is to head off a 
          disaster by interpreting maps, re-routing 
          trains and time schedules. Colorful graphics 
          and sound effects add excitement as your 
          math and geography skills are put to the 
          test. A 16 page instruction book provides 
          letters and directives to you. Joystick is 
          optional. Publisher: Scholastic. Cost $39.95 
          (Retail).  
          ++++++ Speed Reading  ++++
           Speed Reader II won an award from Learning 
          Magazine in 1984 for its effective method of 
          teaching improved reading skills. It is 
          designed to raise your reading comprehension 
          level as well as your speed. Data disks are 
          available for four levels: Grades 5 & 6; 
          Grades 7 & 8; High School; and Adult. The 
          program allows you to choose from six 
          different methods of sharpening your 
          perception and improving your eye movements. 
          Warm-up exercises operate at three levels. 
          You can select a speed for the screen to 
          scroll your reading matter, so that you can 
          gradually increase your speed. Timed reading 
          tests give you a measure of your 
          improvement. Comes with a 61 page manual and 
          practice session sheets. Publisher: 
          Davidson. Cost: $69.95 (Retail). 
          Requirements: 128K.