Internet
Explorer users will notice that the reviews are organized in a collapsible
outline. Simply click on a question and the answer will appear below it.
Resource: Star Chasers
Producer: Starborn, Inc.
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For what ages or kinds of learners is this resource appropriate?
It says it is for the whole family, but it is really only appropriate for upper elementary and perhaps middle school ages. - What is the content and is the content valuable for
the learners?
It combines the various birth stories of Jesus by having three different children experience the parts separately. For example, one goes to Jerusalem and meets Anna and Simeon in the temple, one meets the shepherds and angels, and one meets the wise men. - What is the biblical and theological perspective
present in this resource?
It calls the children's experience a dream, but the implication is that if one could go back in time, one would be able to literally witness the events of Jesus' birth as they are described in the Bible. It also strongly suggests that a star actually came from space and revolved in the atmosphere of earth over Bethlehem. I would have to tweak it with conversation. - Is the resource attractive and interesting enough to
hold learners’ attention?
It is very attractive. The artwork is really quite good in a Fauve/ expressionist style. It also holds learner’s attention very well. - Does this resource offer a variety of navigation
routes?
Learners are offered a variety of routes. You can follow one of the three children and switch in midstream. - Is this resource interactive?
What do learners DO?
Yes it is interactive. You can choose one of several directions in which to go when you are following one child, you have an opportunity to take quizzes at various points in the journey, etc. - Does this resources offer varying degrees of
difficulty?
There is no variation in the level of difficulty as one progresses. - What kind of guidance does the resource offer learners?
Learners are given guidance through context clues in the program itself and from suggestions in the narration. - Could learners use this resource more than once and
still learn from it?
Yes, unless one had a lot of time, you couldn’t follow all three children’s journeys in one sitting. So it lends itself to being used several times. - Can learners work together in using this resource, or
is it designed for one learner at a time?
Learners can work together in making choices about which direction to take and in choosing quiz answers. But there is some reading involved and not everyone reads at the same level or speed, so consideration needs to be given to the differences of learners when grouping. - What kind of time frame to you need to use this
resource?
At least 30 minutes. - What are some ways to use this resource with a class or
group?
Divide the class into three groups and have each group follow one child, reporting back some of their findings to the total group. - What kind of hardware do you need to run this resource?
Windows3.1/95/98 or MAC Peforma or higher, 16 RAM, 4x CD minimum. - How much does this resource cost?
$25.00