geog.1 resources and planning OxBox CD-ROM

content and design

Design and navigation

The software is well-organised and navigation is extremely straightforward. Once loaded, there are drop down menus that will take you to exactly what you need and show you what resources are available in an easy-view list.

All resources can be access directly through OxBox or can be saved to your own area for use elsewhere.

The introductory screens are appealing although the planning pages contain quite small text and lack appeal to stimulate flair and imagination.

A 'player' is included that allows the user to write on the pages. The player is for the teacher to access the resources for use in a lesson, that they have attached to a particular plan. They can do this in two ways: either by launching the lesson player directly from the plan, and just minimising the plan itself (leaving teacher’s notes readily accessible); or they can choose ‘export plan’ from the search results page to save the plan to their desktop. OxBox can then be closed down completely. When the lesson plan file is opened, only the lesson player will appear, giving access to the desired resources, in order, for easy use in the lesson.

OxBox is very simple to use and, since it will primarily be used by teachers, there are no problems with navigation. Little or no training will be required.

The obvious benefits to learning resulting from the design are that it allows for interactivity and the extensive images (mainly included in the PowerPoint presentations) can be helpful to reinforce understanding of processes.

The material is not restricted by copyright as long as a site licence has been bought.

The software is engaging and interesting. The content is meaningfully interactive, engaging the learner with key content or concepts but sometimes repeats information that can be accessed from the books.

Curriculum coverage

The software has a clear and well-defined purpose in that it is there to supplement the geog.1 students' book and make adapting the resources user-friendly. The content is accurate, up-to-date and covers rivers and flooding, plates, volcanoes & earthquakes and the British Isles, amongst other things. Once resources have been adapted, this product will certainly save time in the future. At present, the PowerPoint files could be used straight off, again saving valuable time.

Planning

Setting up the product was quick and easy. More time is needed to adapt the worksheets or PowerPoint if you choose not to use them as presented. The interface is so easy to use that my colleague needed only a short introduction before using it successfully in her lessons. The product can be differentiated in places - there is access to some levelled worksheets but this can be expanded by adapting the resource to fit your needs.

The product is not really suitable for group work but more as a means to class teach and provide worksheets.