resources update issue 75

Continuing our series of tasters of our digital resource evaluations, we bring you a selection of Maths, Geography, Science, ICT, Maths, PSHE & Citizenship titles for primary and secondary: -

• Longman (Pearson): Advanced Maths ASCore Teacher Support CD-ROM
• BBC Active: Barnaby Bear Series 3 DVD Plus Pack
• Heinemann Secondary: Geography 360º Interactive Presentations 1
• Cambridge - Hitachi: Scientific Enquiry 7

• Softease Limited: Textease Studio CT
• StatBasics: Introduction to Statistics
• Behaviour UK:Interactive Conduct File (ICF) Middle/Secondary
• DayDream Education:Maths Interactive Whiteboard Charts

AS Core Mathematics is a series of comprehensive texts for the new AS level courses. There are three books in the series: one endorsed by Edexcel, one endorsed by OCR and a third that is matched to the AQA specification. The series is designed to develop ‘core mathematical skills through clearly worked examples and progressive exercises’ and is backed up by exam question practice and sample module papers. A CD-ROM containing Live Authored solutions to questions in the sample exam papers, support material for the transition from GCSE to A-level and extension material for higher attaining students and also ‘Test Yourself’ exercises, is included with every book. Overall, this CD-ROM is a valuable addition to the text book, adding to the resources available for teachers delivering the new core modules at AS level.

This is the third in the series of similar resources to support KS1 geography and specifically the QCA unit ‘Where in the World is Barnaby Bear?’ In this series Barnaby explores Chester, Mexico, Tocuaro and the Orkney Islands as contrasting localities.

The supporting materials offer teachers lots of ideas for linking programmes to other Geography and ICT units of work. Each programme is clear and easy to navigate and comes supported with activities prior to watching the DVD and questions/activity sheets for follow-up work, including extension activities where appropriate.

The programme is introduced by Barnaby who gives children good quality, clear information about each location to be explored.

Introduction to Statistics is an interactive multimedia tutorial package that addresses much of the GCSE and A-level statistics content. It also introduces statistics to students of biology, geography and psychology at A-level and beyond. The content addressed includes data analysis, correlation, the normal distribution, statistical inference and tests (including the chi-square and t-tests). Explanations are clear and provide excellent introductions to statistical concepts. The sections introducing correlation and the normal distribution are particularly effective when taught using an interactive whiteboard or data projector.

Making effective use of animations, graphics, sound and narration to bring the subject to life, the program also has a humorous approach, which engages the learner. Students who used this package were impressed by the quality of the audiovisual introductions to each topic and by the clarity of the explanations given.

This CD-ROM fully complements the new Geography 360º text books. The presentations have been designed for use either with an interactive whiteboard or a data projector. They can be used alongside the teacher book or on their own to cover a wide range of key concepts.

What is particularly useful is the range of topics covered including: What is Geography about? Using Ordnance Survey maps, Investigating your local area and What is the UK? to name but a few. Although many of the resources are available for immediate use you can add to and edit them. For example, I added my own photo to the ‘Drawing a labelled sketch’ presentation to teach sketching and annotating a photograph interactively at the beginning of the Coastal Environments unit. An excellent resource for the busy teacher, offering a range of suggested activities to employ.

ICF is an interactive Programme of Study of student behaviour intended for those in our schools who find it difficult to follow rules or the requirements of acceptable manners. It does this by facing the user with a video clip of a typical classroom situation and then getting them to work through some of the issues involved, asking them for their responses to what they see, how this affects others and how it relates to them personally. The software can be used in group situations, or by individuals. It has its place in SEN units, units dealing with behavioural issues and in PSHCE lessons. Much of ICF’s strength lies in its numerous video clips, which are well constructed and acted, and students should find this approach attractive.

This well-researched set of three CD-ROMs relates directly to the scientific enquiry objectives outlined in the KS3 Science Framework. Each CD-ROM contains topics with activities designed to deliver the teaching of scientific enquiry in small manageable skill topics that are matched to the QCA units and easily fit into the three part lesson suggested by the Science Strategy.

Scientific Enquiry is extremely useful for teachers as it breaks down the components of an investigation into bite-sized activities to be used either by the teacher with the whole class, or for individual pupils working on a networked version. Teachers’ notes, pupil worksheets and model answers are available on the website to accompany the activities. Many of the activities would provide useful revision pre-SATs or as a plenary session.

Maths Interactive Whiteboard Charts help the teacher explain mathematical concepts using clear explanations and animations in the form of a poster. What makes the poster interactive is that the teacher can select elements of the poster to enlarge, can show and hide text and images and even move images within it. For each of the 50 charts, there is a quiz section that gives questions to consolidate concepts learnt from the chart. These quizzes are in multiple choice format or ‘drag and drop’ and assess the understanding of ideas as well as mathematical skills. Designed to be used for whole class use on the interactive whiteboard, they work particularly well as starter or plenary activities, but could also be used as part of the main teaching.

What are the total costs of the resource?

• Check whether there’s a telephone helpline and if technical support is free.
• Are there built-in tutorials, or does the manufacturer offer training? Is this included in the price, or is there an extra charge?
• Don’t forget to include the cost of teaching time spent on training.
• Check if there is on-screen help or a printed manual to support installation and use of the product.
• What is the lifespan of the product? Is the cost a one-off outlay or a recurrent charge such as an annual subscription? If it’s a CD-ROM, will you receive updates free of charge?