resources update issue 60

• Crocodile Clips Ltd, Crocodile ICT v501
• Birchfield Interactive Plc, Places of Worship, Judaism
• Birchfield Interactive Plc, The Depression and The New Deal: Version 3
• Skillfast.uk, Clotex 1

• Crocodile Clips Ltd, Crocodile Chemistry v501
• Pebbleshore Ltd, Map Skills Plus 2004-2005
• Primary Games Ltd, Interactive Resources - Maths Pack Three
• Nottinghamshire Education Business Alliance (NEBA), x:plore Leisure & Tourism GCSE CD ROM

Crocodile Clips ICT uses a flow charting interface to introduce users to control and programming. Once the support materials have been read and through using the various templates such as the greenhouse to teach control, this program will soon have most users working independently. The exemplary models are an excellent aid to introducing new users to the software especially on an IWB. My KS3 ICT class were soon hooked to the dance routine model and were subsequently able to transfer the flowcharting skills to a second model with relative ease. The animated interface is the key to the pupils’ progress as
they understand that dance routines are made up of different moves and are able to add these to the flowchart easily.

Crocodile Chemistry 501 is a virtual chemistry lab where reactions can be recreated safely and with relative ease. It provides an acceptable alternative to practical chemistry
when there is no technician present, no lab available or lack of equipment. The product is aimed specifically at the KS3 and KS4 practical chemistry content and whilst not a substitute for practical activities, it does provide an interesting approach to the delivery of some topics via an interactive whiteboard although when networked it can be used on an individual basis.

The CD-ROM contains some 64 ready to use models spread across 10 themed areas of chemistry. It does take some time to become familiar with the content but it is worthwhile. The best way is to actually start designing your
own models or even letting more-able pupils do so.

Places of Worship, Judaism, is one of a series of titles produced by Birchfield for RE in KS2. Providing a thorough virtual visit to a synagogue, it offers the opportunity to enter
and explore the building itself and also to learn about the people of the synagogue, from worship and items used in worship to other uses of the synagogue. It is suitable for use on the IWB or by individuals in an ICT suite. All text on the screen is read aloud and where appropriate, by scrolling over a picture, the name of that item is read. This
is particularly useful as the Hebrew words are unfamiliar to most pupils, and some teachers might not be confident with the pronunciation. The sections introduce useful vocabulary and provide photographs of the items and people mentioned.

Map Skills Plus provides a simple to use Geographical Information System which can help KS3/4 students understand key mapping skills and investigations into urban and population change, which can be integrated with Ordnance Survey material. The software links to National
Curriculum objectives such as ‘Economic aspects of geographical issues’, ‘Asking geographical questions’, ‘Acquiring & using geographical vocabulary’ as well as ‘Looking at patterns and processes related to land use’.
The software also has a number of built in activities which provide a basis for the teacher to develop conceptual ideas, which can be linked to specific learning outcomes for year groups. Overall this is a high quality piece of software,
which will provide students with a good basic understanding of maps and their processes and how they influence other geographical work.

The Depression and The New Deal: Version 3

Birchfield Interactive Plc

This software provides a variety of activities for teachers to use within the classroom. Aimed at 14-16 year-olds, this interesting time in American history is taught through a series of simple presentation screens that use sound,
text and photographs to cover the content of this period. On completion of each section, students can move on to complete a variety of assessment activities, including drag and drop exercises, multiple-choice questions, a quiz zone, extended writing questions etc. Also incorporated is an assessment package that will record and track a pupil’s progress through both graphs and charts.

Suitable for use on the interactive whiteboard as well as on individual computers, the resource can be used for starters, plenaries and teaching activities and provides simple feedback to the students.

Interactive Resources have produced a Maths Pack Three program; an integrated learning system of activities to provide interactive opportunities for pupils to consolidate and practise mathematical skills relating to the objectives in the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
This resource would be most suited for use with an interactive whiteboard to support the starter activity or plenary, as the teacher input is required to fully extend the children’s knowledge and understanding, however there is
nothing to stop small groups working on their own with some of the activities. There are numerous number systems and problem solving areas to access and extend thinking. The potential, when using this software for learning, is high as these activities are interactive and
highly visual enabling often difficult concepts to be explained in a more meaningful way.

Clotex 1 is an interactive CD-ROM aimed at Key Stage 3/4 textiles technology students. It provides an insight into the clothing and textiles industry and explores the way the industry is moving forward into the 21st Century. Clo-e
the ‘cyber chic’ gives an introduction to each section and provides a summary of activity results. A video clip provides demonstrations and clear instructions for each activity. The seven key elements are covered well and this tool enhances the students’ understanding of industrial textiles production at each of its stages.

Installation of the software was straightforward on both standalone and networked windows systems. The navigation tools are uncomplicated and do not require any specialist knowledge. Once shown how to operate the program, students can readily access it independently.

x:plore Leisure & Tourism GCSE CD-ROM is a case study to support GCSE leisure and tourism and GNVQ leisure and tourism courses; however the content has a wide variety of other uses.

It provides an in-depth look at Butlins holiday facilities in the form of a virtual tour. The tour is broken up into the various features and facilities of a typical Butlins environment.
These range from material on the customer service charter through to details of the events that take place within the camp. The navigation of the system is straightforward and logical. Each content section is split into subsections containing video content, activities, glossary and a library of resources. The content could also be used with customer service, facility management and a host of other topic areas, bringing valuable life theory to the courses.

Your requirements
• Work with colleagues to prioritise areas where new resources are most in need and/or could make the most impact in enhancing pupil learning.
• List the age groups and subjects most in need of additional multimedia resources.