• More Musical Monsters
• QuickAssess QCA Mathematics
• Colour Magic 3
  

• Microworlds EX Robotics Edition
• Ziptales
• Perfect Times

This CD-ROM is an extensive and versatile music-making software tool, ideal for KS2 pupils, that builds on the successful original Musical Monsters CD. Pupils, with the help of colourful monsters, can explore a range of sounds from simple one instrument patterns through to multi-instrumental advanced compositions.

We had great fun composing as a whole class whilst using the interactive whiteboard but it can also be used individually or on a network. There are complete sets of lesson plans and curriculum targets linked to the QCA schemes of work and programmes of study which is useful when mapping curriculum coverage and content.

This software is well worth getting to know, though you do not have to be a musical expert to be able to use this complete compositional package.

MicroWorlds EX Robotics Edition includes full programming capabilities for LEGO RCX® – the programmable brick. The Logo-based robotics control software includes tools for project-building and mathematics exploration. It is possible to write programs to make student-created robotic constructions move, react to sensors, or collect data. It also allows you to develop onscreen projects, such as presentations and simulations. It comes with two robotics books and a teacher’s quick guide with a projects book. Tutorials, a help facility, a techniques panel and sample projects are all available online. Microworlds will enable pupils to develop their abilities of technological design as well as an understanding of science, maths and technology. This product reinforces the cyclical process of learning. It allows pupils of all abilities to gain relevant access to the Microworld experience.

This is a very comprehensive and well-produced question bank management program, which would be a very useful tool within a mathematics department to generate test papers.

The program comes with over 800 GCSE past exam questions from AQA, Edexcel and OCR. In addition to this, teachers can add their own questions, which can then be shared with colleagues. The instruction manual does need to be read carefully first otherwise you may experience difficulties in using the program. Once you have worked through it on a couple of occasions though, it does become very straightforward.

The facility to input extra questions enables teachers to tailor tests even more to the needs of the students.

Ziptales provides innovative, exciting, interactive reading resources and materials primarily targeting Key Stage 2 children (but which are also useful for able KS1 children and KS3 children who need encouragement with reading). Ziptales provides a wide range of genre at three different levels, thus providing something to interest many readers. Along with the actual stories, there is a range of accompanying activities available, which again motivates and stimulates the reader’s interest. These activities also provide on-going comprehension level assessments for the adult/teacher to enable progress to be monitored. An extra feature available on this resource is the facility to choose your own adventure. All of the resources are and could effectively be used with individuals, groups or even with a whole class using an interactive whiteboard or projector.

RM Colour Magic 3 is a versatile program with a range of drawing and special effect tools, plus images related to a very wide range of curriculum topics. The usefulness and relevance of these images in transforming the program into a useful teaching and learning tool is immediately evident.

There are obvious direct links to the National Curriculum, particularly in art and design (KS1 & 2), mathematics (KS1 & 2) and science (KS2). Parts of it also relate to the QCA ICT scheme of work. The tile feature and the ability to select, move and transform images and shapes, sets it apart from other painting and graphic programs and allow its use to be developed in supporting subjects right across the primary curriculum.

Perfect Times is a set of 4 digital card games. The aim of the software is to enable children and adults of all ages to become fluent in multiplication tables and to help in the rapid recall of multiplication and division facts from x2 to x24, including negative integer tables.

All the games are suitable for use with an interactive whiteboard, in a networked computer suite or on a standalone PC. The basic game, Times Up, is played against the clock. Individual and group scores can be recorded and printed for assessment.

The software has an excellent hints and tips section for both the learner and teacher, to improve mental strategies needed to increase fluency and multiplication facts for any of the tables.

Think carefully about what type of license you will require

• Do you need it on a network or do you just need a license for your interactive whiteboard, for example?
• It is usually cheaper to allow for as many users as required in the first place, rather than topping up later