It is always a pleasure to work through and write about quality
productions.
Here there are four programs from the BBC - Summit,
Nomad, Flight and River - designed for the 10 to 12 year old
range and linked to the BBC Schools Radio series Introducing
Geography.
However, each of the set may be used quite independently and
usefully integrated into a separate curriculum niche.
The standard ofprogramming is excellent and some of the
graphics outstanding.
The representation of Mt. Everest in Summit and the world
map in Flight are well worth seeing and set a standard that
some educational software producers would do well to follow.
These programs are on three 5.25" discs with a 40-track
format.
Included with the discs is a converter program for 80-track
drives.
The package comes complete with a manual containing a
description of each program, user instructions, help with
recording information and notes for parents and teachers.
Summit is very useful as a logistics exercise and has much
to offer. It is based on an attempt to climb Mt. Everest and
simulates the organisational and environmental hazards faced by
climbers with a "30-day" time limit.
They must conquer the peak between the end of the monsoon
rains and the winter snows. The leaders have to organise
the climbing route and, using teams of sherpas move the basic
supplies of tents, food, rope and oxygen from the base camp to
the higher camps.
In contrast to this, River aims to encourage an appreciation of
river landscapes and is based on contour interpretation.
The route followed by a river must be traced out on a map
using four basic directions.
There are three levels of difficulty which include questions
that must be answered using basic river terminology.
An excellent part of this program is the explanation of
cross-sections.
Nomad attempts to simulate the nomadic life of the Fulani in
the sub-Saharan zone of West Africa.
It includes seasonal climatic changes, their effects on vege
tation, and the inter-relationships of climate, vegetation,
animal and human life.
My basic criticism of this program is the time it takes to
complete, especially given the pressures on computer use in
schools.
However it does have a number of potential uses and
should be given careful consideration.
The fourth program, Flight, simulates four air journeys from
London to Adelaide, Johannesburg, Buenos Aires and Los
Angeles respectively.
It encourages the use of atlases and is the type of
program that encourages much discussion and decision-making.
Questions related to the journey are asked during the
flight and so very detailed route preparation is essential.
Each group using the program has a separate call sign and
this allows for more efficient classroom use.
A broad review of this type can only include an outline of
each program. I suggest you view them if you can and assess
whether you think each fits the way you see the subject being
taught.
Certainly, my verdict is that each of these would be good
value on its own. The whole package, therefore, represents
an excellent buy with exciting potential.
1st December 1985
