|
The Investigating Science 1, 2 & 3
CD-ROMs contain an introduction to each
Year 7, 8 & 9 module of the QCA Scheme
of Work for KS3, each with a simulated investigation,
a list of 12 key words to define, and a
10 question multiple-choice test. Each introduction
is presented as a series of 12 slides. All
the slides are well-illustrated and there
are some particularly high quality images
from the Science Photo Library. The text
of the introduction would need to be bigger
if it is to be used with an interactive
whiteboard, though it can be narrated if
sound is available. The keywords are well
chosen and the official scientific definition
is presented for comparison.
Where appropriate, the activities allow
students to call up a notepad, results table
and graph plotter, and their input can be
saved and printed out.
The activities would be most useful for
starter or plenary sessions. They are clear
enough on the screen to be used with an
interactive whiteboard. They are all well-chosen
and complement the standard practical activities
for each module. For instance, in the ‘Sound
and hearing’ activity, students deduce
who is calling a mobile phone from the amplitude
and pitch of the sine wave received.
The worksheets are clear and uncluttered.
Most are at the right level for their target
audience but the worksheet for the ‘Chemical
Reactions’ module had a selection of
word equations to finish that would be more
suitable for Year 9 students. Where appropriate,
the activities allow students to call up
a notepad, results table and graph plotter,
and their input can be saved and printed
out.
In summary, it is an inexpensive piece
of software which can be used by individual
students, or by a teacher, to provide starter
activities to set the scene for whole class
work.
|
WinEcon is a software package, available
by download, for teaching economics. It
contains tutorial material, self-assessment
questions, relevant theory, interactive
exercises, economic databases and an economic
glossary. It is organised by chapter and
each is further broken down into manageable
sub-headings (topics) which contain a variety
of text and graphical output.
The program reinforces what the students
have learnt in the classroom and can - and
does - aid them in the production of assignment
work where its content is of sufficient
depth and quality to be used as a reference
source. After a thorough study of the program’s
use by a variety of student groups, at varying
age and competence levels, it is difficult
to find fault with the program.
Read the full evaluation of WinEcon
| eLC
spending tip |
|
Check the support offered by the
publisher
This is particularly important for
new, expensive or sophisticated titles
- Check whether any training is
offered by the publisher
- Schoolzone evaluations also comment
on the ease of installation and
support materials, including handbooks,
worksheets etc
|
| From: A
strategy for spending eLCs |
|
