resources update issue 48

• Pass Master GCSE Physics
• Rigby ICT Connect
• New Heinemann Maths Pupil Activity Software 6
• Spell Track
  

• Explore KS2 History Online
• New CLAIT
• Cameleon 5000
• Touch It Animals

This CD-ROM covers the KS4 National Curriculum for physics. It primarily supports pupils and helps them prepare and revise for any of the exam boards. The KS4 physics syllabus is covered for both specialist and non-specialist teachers. It is aimed at pupils expected to gain C or above and is not differentiated for less able pupils.

There are many interactive activities aimed at reinforcing learning. Pupils can use Pass Master Physics to learn from notes, practice exam questions, check knowledge and understanding on specific subjects, revise and explore physics in practical simulations not often available in the laboratory. Pupils can monitor their own progress, which can also be followed by teachers using individual pupil log-on numbers. The software can be used on standalone PCs or networks and is useful in a teaching environment using a whiteboard.

Explore KS2 History Online is an online resource that offers teachers and children an extensive set of historical sources, biographies, quizzes, pictures and more. It covers the main historical periods in Britain including the Vikings, Romans, Tudors, Anglo-Saxons, Victorians and Britain in the 1930’s as well as looking at Ancient Greece and Egypt.

The information given is extensive and has ‘thousands of carefully researched articles, relevant high quality images, primary sources and activities for ICT, literacy and history’ and the layout and presentation works well for both adults and children alike.

A collection of printable resources and activities are also provided, which are designed to be used in a sequential manner alongside the website.

ICT Connect has been designed as a tool to allow teachers to plan, teach and assess ICT skills across KS1 and 2. The activities link to the ICT QCA scheme of work, give cross-curricular connections and are flexible enough to allow differentiation. The Teachers’ Interactive pack contains lesson plans for each QCA unit with time-saving resources, assessment sheets and editable photocopiable masters and a Pupil Resource Book. The single-user CD contains the material from The Teachers’ Notes and assessments, which are editable.

There are also ‘Quick Tour’ presentations for familiarization of the material. This is a well designed and carefully planned tool to support primary ICT teachers in teaching the NC ‘within a manageable structure’, as well as giving a good range of ideas on which to base cross curricular work.

The New CLAiT software provides interactive multimedia demonstrations, practice tasks and sample exercises. Although aimed at the New CLAiT qualification, the course is suitable to provide basic ICT instruction to a group or to individual students.

Pupils can work at their own pace and receive feedback with hints and tips, but are also told where they went wrong. The language used is plain and simple, a glossary is easily accessible for any subject specific terms and the animated character guides the user through the tasks. The software covers: using a computer, word processing, electronic communication, charts, spreadsheets and graphs. Navigation through the program via a menu system is straightforward and the software also keeps a record of the exercises completed and the scores achieved.

Heinemann

The New Heinemann Maths (NHM), Pupil Activity Software is designed to provide opportunities for pupils to consolidate and practise skills alongside other NHM resources. Although this resource is closely linked to NHM, there would be no difficulty in it being used as a separate, stand-alone resource to support Numeracy Strategy. The software will allow children to use the software both in classrooms and in computer suites.

There are 60 appropriate activities aimed at the correct level, using vocabulary suitable for year 6 children. The instructions are clear with a helpful, dog-like, character taking the children through all the CD activities. The software is easy to use and is fairly appealing in format. The simple navigation and support for the children means that there needs to be little teacher supervision.

Cameleon 5000 helps avoid the confusion and associated problems of VST instruments and plug-ins. Its features include resynthesis, sound morphing and timelines to create rhythmic loops, soundscapes and pads.

This is a powerful and well-designed software synthesizer. There are hundreds of presets included with this package that can change compositions into new and exiting projects. These range from rhythmic loops to atmospheric pads, guitars, electric pianos, and even some synth sounds. The supporting documentation was easy to use as it is written in a similar format to a tutorial, which encourages a creative hands-on approach. This synthesizer will provide hours of fun and creativity in the classroom. Literally endless
sounds can be created using this simple tool.

This program offers excellent practice and reinforcement to improve reading, letter recognition and discrimination skills. The format is clear and easy to follow. SpellTrack also helps students of all ages with specific learning difficulties, to spell with confidence, consistency and accuracy. The program relates well to National Curriculum targets in reading and spelling. New word lists may also be added or deleted, thus enabling the teacher to target a particular group/s of words. The software aims to address and support specific difficulties pupils may have, some of these are: word and letter recognition, phoneme awareness - particularly segmenting and blending skills, visual discrimination and spelling strategies.

SpellTrack also seems to offer the learner visual and kinaesthetic method of learning spellings as well as phonically.

The Touch It - Animals CD-ROM allows pupils who need support with the development of coordination and motor skills to practice mouse control. The activities are suitable for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 pupils and could also be used with older pupils who may have additional needs.

The product is best suited to being used on an individual computer, but can be used effectively on an interactive whiteboard. The teacher’s page allows control of the speed, size and orientation of the pictures that pupils need to click on.

Whilst this product does not cover any obvious areas of the National Curriculum, there are opportunities for discussions of the pictures and references to number and time.

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