As a logistics aid, dives are limited to twenty minutes of air time each. One drawback is that progression through the slide show is linear and it is difficult to access specific slides out of sequence. There is a CD-ROM and a teachers manual with guides to the slide shows and missions, suggested classroom uses, report form, scripts, and suggested readings. This would be an excellent resource in a library media center or science lab. It supports the thematic approach of the California science framework.
Activities offer hands-on experience in gathering and analyzing scientific data.
The program is very text-depenadent and requires a prior understanding of biological terms. Students who love details would absorb it all, while others can appreciate the big ideas that are reinforced by example throughout. Consistency of format allows individual comparisons to be made, and the photos provide a wealth of pictorial examples for the embedded tasks as well as other uses the instructor might have when connecting this program with other students of varying verbal abilities. Teachers can use the program for direct assignments, independent resource material, or presentation of specific information. The control can be given to students with excellent results.