PC-SIG: World of Education

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Text File | 1989-12-06 | 21.2 KB | 463 lines

** SHAREWARE: This program may be copied or shared freely. It may be given a fair trial. If used it should be registered with the author for $10.00 for which you will receive notification of the latest version and notice of other programs. ------------------------------------------------------------ The American Explorers by Hubbard C. Goodrich RFD #1 Box 880 South Harpswell, ME 04079 [207] 833-6172 Copyright (c) 1989,1990 Hubbard C. Goodrich All Rights Reserved The American Explorers is a computer assisted learning program. It was written to provide students with an opportunity to learn, review, improve and test their historical knowledge of 45 American Explorers in the independent, non-threatening environment of the computer. It is meant to give students an activity for the acquisition of knowledge supplemental to the classroom or home environment. The level is high school and college (8-14). INSTALLATION: These programs fill two 5 1/4 floppy disks: but are condensed for economy of shipment. See the README.1ST for directions to uncondense them. Disk A includes all the tests, QUIZEXPL.EXE, and EXPL.DOC. QUIZEXPL.EXE - the main program EXPL.DOC - this documentation **.TST - 4 test FILES used by QUIZEXPL.EXE README.1ST - a file to get you started Disk B contains all the Explorer histories, .BAT files, READEXPL and LISTEXPL for reading the histories. **.COM - Explorer histories READEXPL.BAT - Batch file for calling the histories EXPL.LST - list of Explorers called by READEXPL REPLY.COM - used by BATch file The program is designed for use with two disks but will work well with one as QUIZEXPL and READEXPL work independently of each other. Two disk are only necessary for the unpacking process. With greater disk density available you may, of course, place all the material on one disk or one DIR of a hard disk but the program will work in any disk organization. I will make any reasonable changes for you if requested. The ANSI.sys (or NANSI.SYS) driver should be loaded ON THE CONFIG.SYS for the .BAT files to work properly. This should work on any MSDOS compatible computer and any monitor. Place "DEVICE = ANSI.SYS" in your CONFIG.SYS file. --------------- The program is made up of two parts: the Explorer Histories and the Quiz-Review. EXPLORER HISTORIES: (Disk B) The histories in this collected are limited solely to 45 explorers that touched American shores, are considered to have made important historical contributions to America's growth that are well documented. Therefore, such figures as the Vikings, some Spanish personalities such as Columbus, and some Canadian explorers are not included. The names in all CAPITALS are also in the QUIZEXPL (Disk A) program. The Explorer histories are .COM files marked ##.COM where `#' represents an abbreviation for the Explorers by national group: EXSP#=Spanish, EXFR=French, EXEN=English & others, & EXUS#=American. Due to space limitations and the length of the material the Spanish group is divided into two parts and the U.S. explorers are divided into three. SP1 deals with Spanish exploration in Florida and SP2 covers the Southwest and California. US1 = Introduction and pre-1800, US2 = Mountain Men and US3 = military. [I am indebted to Mr. Keith P. Graham for his excellent TXT2COM program for the display of these histories.] The histories may be studied by typing: READEXPL or "nationality" directly. Each ##.COM file contains a brief history of exploration of that nationality devoted primarily within the borders of the U.S. You may use the Function keys to page directly to the start of each explorer, the Page up/down keys, Home, End, or the arrow keys. You may use the search function (F) to find material of direct interest or print (T) the entire document (see the bottom of the screen for a list of commands). It is strongly recommend (required) that the user have a good map of the U.S. at hand to follow the various expeditions. In fact, it would be an excellent exercise to trace the route of each explorer as you read. [As all PCs do not have a graphics card and due to space limitations, the inclusion of maps in this offering is unlikely at this time.] Another interesting exercise would be to go beyond this material and expand your knowledge for each major or minor individual mentioned. The early history of the Russian movement into Siberia and the Aleutains on their move toward Alaska is a riveting (and sad) story. QUIZEXPL: (Disk A) The Quiz-Review is a program designed to ask you a series of questions on the CRT (50 maximum) on the 45 Explorers. From the QUIZEXPL Menu you will have a choice of subject area: you may choose to be quizzed on just names of Explorers, Explorer dates, or Accomplishments - three subject areas in all. You might also choose a fourth which has been called POT LUCK - it will select each of the other questions at random. ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ T H E E X P L O R E R S O F A M E R I C A ║ ║ ║ ║ MAIN QUIZ MENU: ║ ║ ║ ║ 1. Name of Explorer ║ ║ 2. Dates: Birth/Death/Active Period ║ ║ 3. Events of Major Historical Interest ║ ║ 4. Pot Luck ║ ║ 5. Review All Summaries ║ ║ 0. Quit Program ║ ║ ║ ║ <D>irections <S>earch <T>est ║ ╟────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢ ║ Enter your choice (0 to 5, <D>, <S>, or <T>) --> ║ ║ ║ ║____________________________________________________║ ║ [/] or [ESC] to Exit or Return to the Menu. ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Subject areas 1-3 each have five-eight possible question types chosen at random. So if you choose POT LUCK, a total of twenty different types may challenge you in three different categories. While you are in a subject review area, you will be provided with a brief instruction before starting the questions. As an aid to memory, you will be provided with a visual prompt - the number of characters required for the correct answer. The dash (-) is provided if required in a date to show span of time. Type it in with your answer but DO NOT USE PUNCTUATION. Other answers for dates, numbers, and Explorers are also prompted graphically with a space or dash if necessary. ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║Question 1 | Score: 0.00 ║ ║═════════════════════════════════════════════════ ║ ║ ║ ║This Explorer from Spain was born c1460, and died 1521?║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║Type in Answer: ║ ║ ~~~~ ║ ║ ║ ║▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║(</>=Rtn to Menu)(@=Score/Review)(?=Hint)+<RETURN> ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ When you answer a question, do not use commas or periods or any other punctuation marks. The program will recover but they will not be part of an acceptable answer. Be careful with spelling. The program will accept some `variations' but not anything. If you enter a wrong answer you will be given the option to review. Also, you may answer a question with one of the following: a '/' which will return you to the Main Menu; and the '?' for a textual hint to help you recall the correct answer. The `@' ends the program and allows you to review all your errors in turn. A running score is maintained to give you an idea how well your are doing: +1 point for each correct answer +.5 for a correct answer misspelled, -1 for an incorrect answer and -.10 for every use of a `hint'. You may wish to review all the data base by typing #5 at the Main Menu in which case you will have displayed a synopsis of each Explorer History in turn. Abreviations have been used to condense the material: Expl = explorer, Disc = discover, c1700 means "about 1700" and etc. You may study each set for as long as you wish. Use the PgUp/PgDn (or up and down arrow keys) to move back and forth; use HOME or END to go to the first or last of the list in the national order and general date in which they were active explorers - not alphabetical. ╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║PRESS Up/Down Arrow or PgUp/PgDn to Advance or Reverse one ║ ║ paragraph. ║ ║PRESS Home or End to the First or Last of the Explorer Data.║ ║ ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ ║ ║+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ║ ║+# 1 : His name was Ponce de Leon; Born: c1460 In: Spain + ║ ║+ Repr. Spain; Date US Activity: 1512-13; 1521 Died: 1521.+ ║ ║+ + ║ ║+ *** During his active period he was known for: + ║ ║+» Disc Fl April 11, 1513; Expl coast St Johns R to Tampa;+ ║ ║+> Named Fl; Disc Gulf Stream; Wounded by Indians; . + ║ ║+≡ May have sailed on 2nd Columbus voyage 1493; + ║ ║+≈ Occupation of Puerto Rico 1508; Governor 1509-12. + ║ ║++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ║ ║ __________________________________________________________ ║ ║ [/] or [ESC] to Exit or Return to the Menu. ║ ╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Included in the six choices from the Main Menu (0 to quit the program), you also have [D]irections, [S]earch and [T]est. The Directions, in addition to the obvious, provides you with an opportunity to limit the number of Explorers you wish to study. That is you can limit your study to the 8 Spanish, 11 French, 9 English & others, and 12 American Explorers and need not review all 45. The Search option allows you to look through the data for pieces of information. You may wish to look for all names with SM in their name or Explorers who are from a particular country or who was born before 1600 or after 1800. You may want to know which Explorers were involved with specific events. If you are interested in the Red River type in "Red" and the program will search out the data base for all mentions of that word. This section will find the Explorer and the number with that association. You need not type in the full name. For example, if you choose the Name category you may not remember how to spell Escalante so type `E' or `ESC' and it will find all Explorers with that letter or group of letters. ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ The SEARCH mode will allow you to find information you are ║ ║curous about in this Explorer Data (see #5 Review). You will ║ ║be asked to enter the area of interest, the whole or partial ║ ║search key, and search logic for dates. ║ ║ ║ ║1 = Name of Explorer 4 = Date of Birth 7 = Events ║ ║2 = Place of Birth 5 = Date of Death ║ ║3 = Representing State 6 = Span of Active US Exploration ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ ║ Enter your Choice (1-7) [or /] ? ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ TESTS: The four multiple choice Tests are ASCii files with a .TST extension. This section will allow you to selected a test (based on the national Explorer group). The test can be written to paper, to a disk or to the screen. If to the screen each question will be presented in turn to await a response. The correct answer will be given after the student's answer. ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ ║ ║ TEST MENU FOR THE AMERICAN EXPLORERS ║ ║ ════════════════════════════════════ ║ ║ ║ ║ Choose one of the following by number ... ║ ║ ║ ║ 1 - Display the Test to Screen and Score; ║ ║ 2 - Send Test to disk [randomized]; ║ ║ 3 - Send Test to printer [randomized]; ║ ║ 4 - Send Test to printer [not randomized; ║ ║ 5 - Directions; or ║ ║ 0 - RETURN to the Main Menu. ║ ║ ║ ║ ┌────────────────────────┐ ║ ║ │ Select one (0-5) --> │ ║ ║ └────────────────────────┘ ║ ║ ________________________________________________ ║ ║ [/] or [ESC] to Exit or Return to the Menu. ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ The test may also be sent to a printer for use in a normal paper and pencil test environment. The answer key may also be printed. When sent to the printer, the program will stop after each `page' to be sure you adjust your top-of-line. The procedure can also create a disk file which can then be modified by you and printed with your favorite word processor. Choose your Explorer quiz from the list by number. Enter the Drive letter (and path if necessary). You will then receive a prompt to check whether the information is correct. Press enter and the procedure will start. If you request the quiz be sent to the printer you will receive additional questions and warnings to "ready your printer"; if to the disk you will be asked for the drive where you wish it sent. You will also be asked for the number of different randomized forms you wish. ╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║QUESTION: 1 CORRECT: 0 WRONG: 0 ║ ║________________________________________________ ║ ║ ║ ║ What was Cibola? ║ ║ ║ ║ A) the new capital of New Mexico ║ ║ B) fanciful cities of great wealth ║ ║ C) the ship that carried Cortez up the Columbia River ║ ║ D) the Indian city taken by Pizarro ║ ║ ║ ║ Type your Answer by letter (A-D) or / & ENTER.? ║ ║ ║ ╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ All of these questions will be randomized when requested. That is the order of the questions as well as the order of distractors will be juggled up so that it is very unlikely that one presentation of a test will be identical to another. It is possible that a teacher may wish to have (eg.) five forms of the same test. This program will print the five separate forms. It will not, however, select questions from different Explorer groups (yet). A maximum of 26 different forms may be printed at one time. The test for the Spanish explorers currently has 73 questions, the French 73, the English 52 and Americans 104. These numbers may change. The tests have not been pre-tested with an item analysis as my student population is inadequate for valid results. You may wish to revise them. If you do so be sure you follow the same format as the other questions. Each lead or question line must start with a `\'. You are limited to a maximum of three lines in the lead. The last line of the lead must end with a `\'. The first answer must be the correct answer. You then must have three distractors - a total of 4 choices. If you increase or decrease the number of questions change the number at the top of the test to the number that now exists. [I advise that you experiment with a backup copy if you attempt this.] The test MUST be saved back to disk in ASCii form. HISTORY of program development. The TEST program was originally written on a mainframe by the author [1979] and then modified to BASIC for a TRS80 Model III [1982] when memory was of major concern. The remainder of the program was written in 1982-3 for the Model III and for Presidential Histories in 1984-5. All the programs were then modified for the MSDOS system [1986] and Turbo Basic(c) [1987 - for speed and convenience. [Quick Basic(c) was tried but, in this case, found wanting.] The program was modified for The States in 1988. The Explorer histories were added in 1989. It was first offered to the public as SHAREWARE in October 1989. Bibliography: Primary Sources: -Explorers and Settlers, Robert G. Ferris, ed US Dept of the Interior Nat Park Service. 1968. -Exploring the American West 1803-79, Robert G. Ferris, ed US Dept of the Interior Nat Park Service. 1982. Secondary Sources: -A History of Exploration, Percy Syke Harper & Brothers, NY, 1961. -Doomed Road to Empire, Hodding Carter, 1963. -Encyclopedia Americana (1985). -Land of the Giants, D. Lavender, 1958. -The Columbia Encyclopedia (3rd edition). -The Great Explorers, Piers Pennington Facts on File Publications. -The Great West, A.M. Josephy, Jr. ed American Heritage, 1965. -The Hidden Northwest, Robert Cantrell, 1972. -The Moving Frontier, E.S. Nef, ed Write & Fowler, 1972. -The Spanish West, G.G. Daniels, ED, TIME-LIFE BOOKS 1976. -The Trailblazers, Ed. Ezra Brown, 1973. -The Wild Shores: Americas Beginnings, T.L. Shell National Geographic, 1983. -The World Almanac (1988). DISCLAIMER. The American Explorers programs and manual are provided "as is", without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. DISTRIBUTION: The American Explorers is NOT public domain software, it is a copyrighted program distributed by the author. It is offered as "SHAREWARE". You may use, copy, and share it, and place on BBS as long as no fee or exchange takes place other than those associated with "expenses" to copy and mail. The author would greatly appreciate a contribution of $10 from those individuals or institutions who find the program of use. Those who make the contribution will be notified of any later revisions when they occur, an update will be offered at cost, and additional topics. Programs of a similar nature will be available. At the moment the following subjects are being developed or in the planning (wish) stage: The American Presidents (Completed) The American States (Completed) The American Explorers (Completed) The Women's Rights Movement (in progress) The War Between the States (& other wars) The American Minorities The author would be glad to hear from correspondents who wish to respond to this offering with suggestions, constructive criticisms, and the fellowship of a common interest. For example, if the reader has material that would lend itself to this approach, I would be happy to investigate the possibility of modifying this driver to that use. I am having difficulty finding source material that is not copyrighted that can be used. Each Explorer history section and accompanying test took on the average of one month each to write. The program, on the other hand being largely already written for The Presidents, took only three weeks or so to revise. The same will be true for the other 'histories'. I am not on any BBS so the post office will have to suffice for communication. Ordering Information: Your Name and Address: Name of Program: ________________________________ Version #:________ (if you already have one) Where Obtained:__________________________________ Computer: _______________; Monitor: _______________ Drives (floppy, HD): _______________; Memory: _______ Graphic Card (Y/N): ________ Comments & etc. ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ (Send to the address given above)