Dinosaurs are fascinating creatures. Their size, their dominance during the Mesozoic Era, and the circumstances of their extinction all contribute to their popularity among kids and adults alike. The app developed by M5859 Studios Pty Ltd., Walking with Dinosaurs: Inside Their World, contains hours of interesting facts, detailed art, and informative animations.
Walking with Dinosaurs: Inside Their World is divided into three main sections: Features, Dinosaurs, and Dinosaur Hunters. Features has 20 parts, including segments about the three periods of the Mesozoic Era, Triassic Period, Jurassic Period, and Cretaceous Period, how fossils form and how fossils are found, and the theories about the extinction of the dinosaurs. There are 60 dinosaurs featured such as Allosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus. Notable scientists like Mary Anning, Edward Cope, and Xu Xing are covered in Dinosaur Hunters.
Each section is accessed from the main menu. You can start from the beginning or select which part of the section you want to read. In the upper right corner is how you select if you want the text read to you and the pages to turn automatically; you can have the narration on and the auto-turn page function off. All of the text is read by Stephen Fry, and his reading is clear and concise, with a steady pace and a tone that is pleasing and not a monotonous drone. To get back to the main menu, tap the arrow in the upper left corner.
The visuals include photographs of scientists, fossils and locations, maps, and 3D depictions of dinosaurs. All visuals can be enlarged, revealing details. The representations of the dinosaurs are based on fossil evidence and the look and movements of present organisms. The best visuals are the animations. Seeing the dinosaurs move and hearing their roars (well, their conjectured roars) brings them to life, making the content more engaging than any textbook or encyclopedia. One of my favorite sections is on fossils. The concept of fossilization can be difficult to convey and to teach. The explanation combined with the animation and the pictures of actual fossil hunters doing their job appeals to different types of learners.
Walking with Dinosaurs: Inside Their World is more than a collection of facts. With captivating visuals and narrative that covers many topics including types of dinosaurs, the impact of changes in environment and climate, how the three periods of the Mesozoic Era were different from each other, how fossils are found and where, and noted scientists in the field of paleontology, WWD:ITW is a comprehensive overview, a good introduction to dinosaurs for older children, around 10, and for anyone else interested in these fascinating creatures.
Walking with Dinosaurs: Inside Their World is rated 9+ for the depiction of animated violence (fighting dinosaurs are shown), is designed for the iPad with iOS 5 or higher, and costs $4.99.
