Reviews

Clicker featured in EC&T
Educational Computing & Technology, September 2001

Clicker 4 receives lots of attention in the September issue of EC&T magazine.
In his article on the best ICT classroom resources for teachers of English, Jack Kenny writes:

‘For pupils aged 4 to 10, Clicker must be considered…

Writing skills can be improved greatly by using an appropriate word processor. It has been a common mistake to imagine that Clicker is software for just special needs. Developer John Crick points out that this is how it started, but that now Clicker is one of the most widely used word processors in primary schools. It is a talking word processor and writers can incorporate pictures into their work and save their work as web pages. It is perfectly possible for the software to be able to match pictures to words to increase word identification. It also helps with reading…

Clicker can also create online books using pictures that have been scanned in. You can even play videos anywhere on the screen. Speech can either be through a software engine or recorded and played back. The spell checker can be customised to harmonise with the needs of the pupil.’

Links with QCA…
In the same issue, Gillian Blatherwick comments on ways of supporting and inspiring students with science work and recommends both our Crick’s software and the website.

‘Word processors stimulate scientific reporting and children can be supported by Clicker 4, using either downloaded screens from Crick’s website, CGfL, or those made specifically by the teacher…Crick’s Find Out and Write About series turns Clicker 4 into a talking reference book and provides a topical word bank to scaffold writing. Titles include Under the Sea, Minibeasts and Animals of Hot Lands – and more will follow.’

In her sample lesson plan, based on QCA Science Unit 4b ‘Habitats’ she recommends using the Minibeasts title to provide research information.

You will also find a special offer token for our Find Out and Write About titles in this issue and a competition giving you the chance to win the whole Find Out and Write About series!

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