An Australian produced educational multimedia program
on CD-ROM for Windows

Venice in the 13th century, trade with Asia, dangers and difficulties of travel in the Middle Ages, Marco's journey, Kublai Khan and the Mongol Empire, travels in China in service to the Khan, Marco's return to Europe, war with Genoa, capture and imprisonment, Marco's book "Description of the World"

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"The Travels of Marco Polo is a history program designed for the middle and upper grades of primary, and lower secondary school. It consists of a twelve minute animated audio visual documentary that is interactively linked to an extensive resource library of text, graphics, photographs and audio recordings.

The Library has a wealth of resource material that can be viewed full screen from the CD-ROM, or can be printed out for use in student projects or as hard copy reference. The program has comprehensive Teachers' Guides and Student Activities, including a series of interactive Crossword Puzzles using words from the program.

The Review allows users to progress through a series of 36 interactive questions which directs the student's attention to the essential elements of the unit and follow up activities which will reinforce what has been learnt about the topic. On completion, a personalised certificate can be printed.

Objectives:

Using this program, students should be able to:

• give an interesting description of life in Europe and Asia during the Middle Ages;

• list dangers and difficulties of travel in the Middle Ages;
  
  
• describe in some detail the travels of Marco Polo;
  
  
• make informed suggestions as to the character of Marco Polo;
  
  
• give a simple description of the size, development and administration of the Mongol Empire;
  
  
• comment on the various types of people who appear in the story;
  
  
• comment on the importance of trade as a link between nations;
  
  
• and as a motive for travel and discovery;
  
  
• discuss the effects of war, both destructive and constructive, upon the people of the Middle Ages;
  
  
• explain the importance of Marco Polo's book as a stimulus to further exploration;
  
  
• have some appreciation of the Polos' achievements, when set against the time in which they lived.