Animal Vegetable Mineral

描述

Animal Vegetable Mineral is based on the traditional parlour game but it reverses the usual roles by asking the player to think of an animal, vegetable, or mineral while the computer attempts to determine the answer. Its initial database is extremely limited, containing only two known objects in each category. The computer works through a yes or no question sequence. When it guesses incorrectly, the player enters the mystery object and provides a question that distinguishes it from the computer’s closest answer. The new object and identifying question are added to the database, allowing the program to make better deductions during later sessions. Players can review, edit, and save this growing collection of information.

The learning system encourages children to consider the origins, properties, and differences between objects. However, the entirely text-based presentation is plain, and the tiny starting database means early sessions involve more teaching than meaningful deduction. It relies heavily on players patiently expanding and correcting its knowledge. Although repetitive and visually uninteresting, it is a clever example of early educational software.