to each problem. Even those Zoombinis who are sometimes left behind, are reassured of success at a later stage. The student empathizes with the harmless and likable characters and is soon lost in the fantasy world, motivating them to assist in the construction of the new Zambini world. There are no time limits and at the end of each attempt, arriving at Zoombiniville, the stage can be saved at any time.Worthwhile learning partnershipsThere are many instances in this software, which allow for co-operative and group effort. The teaching guide stresses the compatibility of this game to classroom application and encourages the use of large screen monitors or multiple screen group sessions. When used in pairs or as groups the benefit is that students are encouraged to discuss their problems solving strategies and to work cooperatively. Included are two tutorial activities aimed to introduce the program to students and also additional resources, tutorials, activities and reproducibles intended for teacher, student discussion.Shaping and Response to Social and Cultural ContextsThe fact that this game is about a totally fictional world, with non-human, non-earth like, magical beings puts into context a cultural neutrality prevalent throughout the quest for the solution; the new Zoombiniville. There is an almost undetectable Gender difference between the attributes of each character, and no human based racial or cultural inference. However, the analogous predicament of the Zoombinis as an oppressed, peace loving and harmless community forced to flee from the lazy, greedy and dominant partners 'the Bloats', is a story line parallel to many true life and dramatized scenarios. This game could offer a view of optimism towards the notion of ' good triumphant over bad or evil' in its simplest sense. The undesignated sex and Gender roles in this software hopefully enhances the notion of equality and non-polarized concepts of male and female s...
