From: Gary.Davis@f2.n255.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Davis)
Newsgroups: k12.ed.comp.literacy
Subject: MAIN$TREET BLURB, PART 2
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 15:43:37 PDT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:255/2 - NEWBED, Fredericton NB

(Part 2 of Main$treet description)
 
                  Some STRENGTHS of Main$treet
 
     Main$treet has a number of features that make it attractive
to students and instructors, unlike many simulations.
 
Main$treet is REALISTIC
 
- Students compete in realistic situations, not with abstract
     products that are hard to visualize.
- At the start of the simulator every firm is different!
- Students are less tempted to look for underlying equations than
     in many simulations.
- Success depends on both motivation and business skills.
- Main$treet produces useful reports and graphs.
- Students can buy information about customers and competitors.
- Students can hire and fire sales staff.
- There is little dependence on early "luck", unlike many
     simulations.
 
Main$treet is EDUCATIONAL
 
- Repeated use adds to the learning experience.
- Main$treet reinforces appropriate business concepts.
- Students learn how to respond to realistic situations.
- Main$treet can be used by one person, without depending on
     other students.
- Main$treet can also be used as a team project.
- Main$treet has few external constraints, such as artificial
     deadlines, restrictive input formats, or adherence to
     academic timetables.
- Students can use Main$treet many times, whenever they please,
     and they enjoy it.
 
Main$treet is INTERESTING AND FUN
 
- Main$treet has many nuances and subtleties and is different
     every time it is used.
- Students can experiment with different scenarios.
- Students make decisions in real time.  The computer responds
     rapidly.
- Main$treet can be completed in a short time if desired.
- Minimal paperwork is required from either students or teachers:
     the computer does it through our efficient "save" feature.
- Main$treet gives the user a real feeling of accomplishment.
 
Some TECHNICAL FEATURES of Main$treet
 
- Main$treet is easy to understand.
- Menus and mouse capabilities make input and output easy.
- The instructor needs very little technical computer knowledge,
     training or simulation experience.
- The dependence on the user's manual is minimal.
- Main$treet generates a detailed "log" of the student'A     activities to 
help with teaching and marking.  TEACHERS HAVE
     FOUND THIS VERY BENEFICIAL FOR FEEDBACK AND MARKING.
     Students can read it within Main$treet to review their
     previous decisions.
- Main$treet runs under DOS, reducing complications.
- Each student is independent: there will be fewer run-time
     disasters and they have less impact if they do happen.
- Input can be from either a keyboard or mouse (optional).
- Reports can be saved to disk or printed.
- Draws graphs of important information (on EGA or VGA machines).
- Later versions will include graph-drawing capability, a
     mini-spreadsheet, and a mini-word-processor, with convenient
     export capabilities to other software.
- Includes other desirable features such as a built-in
     calculator and a glossary of business terms (which can be
     edited by the instructor).
- Main$treet can be adapted for local requirements, for example
     by referring to a particular school, city, or country, and
     it can be tailored to emphasize business practices in a
     particular area.
- Main$treet can be translated into many languages.

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