resources update issue 34

• Arcventure: The Romans
• Kidspiration 2
• Relationships: School & the Wider World
  

• History Online
• Living Library
• Space Station Alert
  

Arcventure: The Romans
Sherston Software Ltd

History Online
Actis Ltd

Arcventure: The Romans is designed to help Key Stage 2 pupils find out about Roman life through taking part in an archaeological dig and travelling back in times to investigate recovered objects.

This resource is especially good for teachers covering the Romans, but is also an excellent tool to support work on grid references in Geography and Numeracy. Using this resource with an Interactive Whiteboard, the children can explore the "Adventure" together. One child goes through the adventure (which is timed - giving a sense of drama), the other children advise on where to dig, and which tools to use. Encouraging debate and improving the children's decision making and communicating skills, as if they advised him incorrectly objects could be broken or time lost.

This software can also be used effectively in small groups or on an individual basis.

Actis History Online is a subscription based internet service specifically designed to be used by teachers of History, it has been written by experts linking the information to the National Curriculum, GCSE and AS/A2. The site is filled with loads of useful stuff for teachers; everything from classroom resources (which can be, printed off, adapted or used online) to professional development modules, reviews of website, books and CDs along with much more.

There is a study room section where resources chosen by the teacher can be accessed by pupils either in school or at home. There are clear instructions to help out when things seem a little confusing and an easy to understand menu system. History Online has been written by experts whose only thought was that it had to be useful to UK students and UK courses (either National Curriculum, GCSE or AS/A2). This should ensure that there is very little time wasted trawling through irrelevant material and resources.

Kidspiration 2
TAG Learning Limited

Living Library Primary
RM

Kidspiration is designed as a tool for visual learning, for Key Stage 1 and 2 children. Pupils are able to build up a page of ideas for a wide range of subjects using many of the templates provided. These diagrams are then translated into a more formal written piece of work. The aim of the software is to enable children to develop their written work through more visual techniques using symbols and various layouts.

Kidspiration is a very useful tool for less literate children to access more language based parts of curriculum. All elements of the program can be read aloud at the click of a button, supporting auditory learners and children who have reading difficulties.

The software is quick to load and links well to all aspects of the curriculum particularly Literacy, Numeracy and Science.

'Living library' is an online library service, available through annual subscription. It covers many curriculum areas, in particular the humanities and the sciences. It offers broad coverage by using material from a variety of leading educational publishers. The contents include high quality images, maps, encyclopaedia entries, video clips, and educational clipart; there is also a newspaper archive in the secondary section.

'Living Library' is easy to navigate with useful search and browse facilities. It differentiates for the primary site which has a lower reading age, whereas the secondary site is more comprehensive. The information is presented in small discrete sections making it easier to read and understand.

In 'Living Library' there are pages of ideas for teachers which give tips on how to utilise the wide range of material and resources on the site. This area is updated on a regular basis.

Space Station Alert
Sherston Software Ltd

Relationships: School & the Wider World is a content library filled with a variety of backgrounds, characters, props and texts which can be used by teachers and students to create storyboards, animations and publications related to issues of conflict resolution, peer-group pressure, keeping safe and responsibility. The content of the program relates well to the National Curriculum guidelines for PSHE and Citizenship at KS2. The application can be used on a network, individually and in small groups. It is particularly well suited to collaborative work and the subsequent discussion and sharing of ideas in larger groups.

Throughout the activities students have easy reference to clear and well developed 'on screen' activity notes with realistic skills progressions and extension activities which can be done at, and away from, the computer.

Sherston's Space Station Alert contains 8 activities to help older juniors develop key skills in Shape and Space. It is also a valuable tool in developing thinking skills and the ability to co-operate to achieve a goal.

These activities are closely linked to the National Curriculum for Mathematics and are challenging and interesting, and the children are stimulated to discuss strategies within the group to solve the task

The CD is easy to install, and is clear and easy to follow. It can be used on a single machine or on a network. Graphics are large and clear, and the software can be used to teach individuals, groups or for whole class teaching. A Teacher Options facility allows the activities to be set at two different difficulty levels.

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