 |
"The
original Oregon Trail model was developed in 1971 by myself
and two other college students when we were seniors at
Carleton College in Minnesota. The three of us were completing
our practice teaching in Minneapolis, and they (both math
teachers) were using a computer system in their classes.
I was teaching U.S. history and asked them the fateful
question, "Can't we do something with the computer in
my class?" Thus was OT born. It will be important to me
that they (Paul Dillenberger and Bill Heinemann) receive
credit for their role." --Don
Rawitsch, original designer
|
Description:
In The Oregon Trail, students become members of families
and wagon trains crossing the Plains in the 1840s on the
way to Oregon Territory. The objective is to safely reach
the Oregon Territory with one's family. Students will experience
the challenge of the hazardous cross-country trek from independence,
Missouri, to Oregon's Willamette Valley. During the simulation,
students are able to visit and learn the history of forts
and other landmarks, and "talk" to others on the trail about
their surroundings and different cultures. They must manage
with little money and food, raging diseases and bad water.
The game is played in an interactive mode via menus and
a few prompting questions. The primary learning objective
of this game is to develop decision-making skills in the
face of changing and sometimes unforeseen circumstances.
Date:
1971
Producer:
Created by Don Rawitsch, Bill Heinemann and Paul Dillenberger.
Produced by MECC in 1974.
Vendor:
MECC/Apple Computer/The Learning Company
Computer:
Apple 48K
Format:
IBM/Tandy (DOS2.1 or higher) and Apple IIe, IIc and IIGS.
Cost:
The
cost of the first commercial Oregon Trail (Elementary
Volume 6) in 1985 was $29.95.
Subject:
History
Age/Grade
level: Ages 10 and up.
|
