Computer Quest. (Software Review)(Evaluation)

Composer Quest announces itself as a "valuable learning tool that draws parallels between the arts, history and music." Op-code's promotional information further indicates an audience range from the ten-year-old to the adult. In certain ways such an audience parallels that in an introductory survey or humanities course focusing on the arts. Thus, while primarily a tool for the non-academic setting, this CD-ROM might have use for the academic community as well. Through the cross-reference capability of Composer Quest a student in an introductory course would be exposed to the events that shaped the world of a particular composer. There are strengths and weaknesses that must be weighed, however. As indicated in the instructions, the CD-ROM operates in two modes, "learn" and "play." Both modes focus on the time period between 1600 and 1940, and both include classical and early jazz styles. In the "learn" mode the user learns about musicians, their significant works, and the artistic, economic, and political events of eras and sub-eras, e.g., the early Baroque. In the "play" mode the user is tested on aural knowledge of styles, particular composers, and, finally, specific pieces. Viewing the "learn", mode as a tutorial, the user can select from several different approaches: "Quiz," "Print a Lesson," and "Search."

The "Quiz" feature of the "learn" mode, is set up by historical periods and sub-periods with ten multiple-choice questions about artists, musicians, and movements in those time periods. It provides the user with the opportunity to test a basic understanding of the currents at work in the society in which a composer functioned. Incorrect answers are replaced quickly by correct information to reinforce an accurate conception of the material. In an academic setting one hopes that students would use this information to make deeper and broader comparisons.

Selecting "Print a Lesson" in the "learn" mode produces a printout of information similar to that in the quiz. …