Take A Stand
Leo Media	Ages 12 and up

Rating Scale 5 = great,    1 = poor

Educational Value 3.5

Kid Appeal 3.5

Ease of Use 5.0

System Requirements

PC / Mac Price Survey

Product Support

This multi-media program, subtitled "Stop the Violence!" attempts to educate middle and high school students about conflict resolution. It takes a look at conflicts that modern teens may encounter, identifies typical reactions, demonstrates why these reactions don't work, and models for students a 5 step process used to successfully settle differences without violence.

Educational Value

Take A Stand consists of a video, an interactive CD-ROM and a student workbook. It can be used in the classroom or as part of an after-school program, and can be completed in a few hours or in a series of shorter sessions.

The CD offers brief video clips (these same clips comprise the video) that look at typical conflicts involving jealousy and misunderstanding, self-absorbtion and self-centeredness. The first such clip allows students to view different outcomes as the situation is handled by walking away, resorting to violence, or using conflict resolution tactics. The second clip offers a 5 step method for conflict resolution, and the final clips lead students step-by-step through three conflicts and asks them to identify the steps taken toward resolution.

Because the CD is interactive, it holds students attention more thoroughly than a video. The program was designed through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Conflict Resolution Education, and MTV.

Kid Appeal

Our teen reviewers had mixed feelings about the program. They felt that the "teen" lingo is a bit overdone ("He just wanted to chill with his homies. . .") and the stories hokey. They also noted, however, that the program succeeded in holding their interest and would be appropriate for classroom use.

Ease of Use / Install

Take A Stand runs from the CD. Navigation through the program is constrained by the program itself and thoroughly explained as part of the narration.

Best for... / Bottom-Line

This "real-world" video/software program looks at the conflicts today's teens may face, demonstrates the possible negative outcomes and offers a systematic process for settling differences and keeping the peace. Despite its shortcomings, we recommend it (and other programs like it) as a part of every student's middle and/or high school curriculum.

See SuperKids' comparisons with other special software titles, and the Buyers Guide for current market prices of the PC and Mac versions.

PC: Windows 95/98, Pentium 100 or faster cpu, 4x or faster CD-ROM, Sound Blaster compatible audio.

Mac: System 7 or higher, Power PC or faster cpu, 4x or faster CD-ROM.

Reviewed on:

PowerMac 6400/200 with 32MB and 8XCD

Pentium166 with 24MB and 12XCD

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