resources update issue 76

Continuing our series of tasters of our digital resource evaluations, we bring you a selection of geography, science, ICT, maths, PSHE & citizenship titles for primary and secondary: -

• BBC Active: Words and Pictures - Phonics Year 2 DVD Plus Pack
• Longman (Pearson): Mathsworks: Teaching & Learning CD-ROM 6
• Crocodile Clips Ltd: real-PCB
• MyMaths: MyMaths.co.uk

• Heinemann Secondary: Geography 360º Interactive Assessment 1
• CASCAiD Ltd: Paws in Jobland
• Taecanet:Taecanet Website Primary Focus
• Logiblocs Ltd: LogiCD Design Program

This package introduces 10 phonemes from the Year 2 NLS. As a fast and fun format, it can also appeal to Year 3 children in need of a little revision.

Divided into 10 programs supported by photocopiable sheets, poems and games, it focuses on text work ideas for before and after viewing the DVD. In offering an instant section of the literacy hour following a set format, it’s time saving for teachers who don’t need to preview each DVD!

The children loved the programs with their cartoon characters writing and reading the phonemes and the catchy songs for emphasis. The magic pencil reinforces letter formation finishing with a spelling pattern/rule quiz. The DVD can also be used individually or in a small group to address and revise specific issues.

Longman’s MathsWorks 6 consists of a set of 15 interactive programs to support teaching and learning in all areas of the Year 6 mathematics syllabus. It is a flexible tool that can be used in any part of the mathematics lesson but is particularly effective when used in conjunction with an interactive whiteboard.

There are four options which link to mathematics strands for Number, Shape, Space and Measure and Data Handling. The program allows you to model key mathematical concepts and challenge children’s skills as well as supporting them through open-ended and differentiated activities.

This software is well presented and easily navigable and adds an extra dimension to teaching numeracy in Year 6. It contains many fun and engaging programs and will keep pupils active and engaged for a long time.

Paws in Jobland is designed for younger children to develop an awareness of the world of work and research specific jobs that people do. The jobs available are diverse and range from doctors and police to kennel workers, graphic designers and homeopaths.

Pupils can use the CD-ROM and related worksheets for independent, paired or group work. Each worksheet makes reference to the learning objectives, gives links to other curriculum areas and includes teaching points for maximum effectiveness. The sheets also give ideas for further development and display ideas. The design of the product is very child friendly; with the engaging character of Paws the dog helping with the navigation through Jobland. Children can answer questions to find different jobs that might suit them and complete a quiz to consolidate what they have learnt.

real-PCB is software that allows the user to quickly build Printed Circuit Board designs on screen, using a range of common components. The designs can be printed for evaluation in a variety of formats, including as a production mask so that the circuits can be etched into functioning PCB components.

The software is visual and simple to use and allows users to place, move and connect components using a familiar and comfortable interface. The software has the additional features of a bill screen, which costs components used, and also the ability to import circuit designs constructed in the popular sister program ‘Crocodile Technology’.

The software is aimed at pupils, but would also be of value to many teachers of Technology too, as they can use it as a lead teaching tool.

Taecanet Springboard Service is an excellent tool for using ICT to learn about science, history and geography. The service is a showcase for websites that are suitable for learning about different aspects of the humanities. This product is used by teachers to allocate work to groups of children and by children working independently. Completed work can be monitored by a teacher and kept in a separate area for use with reports.

The product is designed to consolidate practical work in the classroom and to use or increase independent learning skills in imaginative ways. Many of the activities available are interactive, taking full advantage of using ICT for learning. This service saves hours finding suitable topical websites that teachers need to find for activities that demonstrate, illustrate or explain an idea, concept or event easily.

MyMaths is an outstanding subscription website product that is packed full of useful resources. There are hundreds of lessons available, arranged by Attainment Target and NC Level (from 4 upwards) or GCSE tier. There is also a sophisticated management system that allows the teacher to create classes of students, set online worksheets for homework and use the portal to collect results. The resource centre has over 600 worksheets and revision notes (with booster sheets for Year 9, students on the D/C borderline at GCSE and those aiming for A* grades) that have been donated by teachers and these can be downloaded for use in the classroom or at home.

MyMaths also has a range of games that can be used as starters or simply in an attempt to bring maths alive within the lesson.

Logiblocs allows children to design computer simulations of circuits which they can build using Logiblocs parts. This allows children to experiment with components before they are built and predict and identify the outcomes of their thinking and actions whilst establishing a coherent and child-friendly system for developing ICT learning. The system takes children’s progress into account and allows projects to be saved and loaded to allow development over time.

The CD-ROM is designed as a companion to the Logiblocs Bumper Pack project book and work cards used in class for 'hands-on' experience.

This simple innovative approach enables Logiblocs to be picked up quickly, but its flexibility also allows for extension and challenge. Children of all ages can use it easily, and it works well on an interactive whiteboard or screen for whole class teaching.

• Check that there is enough relevance to justify the expense.
• Check what the product actually covers, and in how much depth.
• Consider whether you’re looking to plug a particular gap, or need an overall resource.
• Look at whether the resource can be used to teach all aspects of a topic, as a whole lesson or a lesson segment. Does the resource enable teachers to introduce, consolidate or revise the topics with the pupils?