The two programs in this package both deal with the topic of percentages. They have a good background as they have been developed by Netherall Software in conjunction with the MEP. The authors have steered clear of the sensational approach and there is nothing gimmicky about these programs - but they are still very interesting and practical applications of the computer to a teaching situation.

The first program is 'Percentage Families' and teaches the relationship between percentages, decimals and fractions. It does this by a series of graded tests which are intended to supplement previous standard classroom teaching. These tests display all three elements on the screen as well as a graphic representation of how many hundredths are being used.

The pupil then fills in the missing element. For example, the display may show:

31/100 0.31 ?%

Having answered correctly, the child moves to the next level.

The teacher is able to see what has happened if the child hangs up the program on the 'Help needed with...' page by pressing SHIFT and ESCAPE.

The documentation includes a series of worksheets which are well designed and, above all, photocopiable.

The other program, 'Percentage Snap', reinforces what has been learned by turning it into a thought-provoking game. A grid of squares is shown on the screen, each labelled with a letter.

By pressing any particular letter a percentage, decimal or fraction is revealed. When two appear that match, for example 3/10 and 30%, the child presses the Space bar and a 'thermometer' scale rises for each correct 'snap'. There are ten 'snaps' in each grid so all the elements are used.

Both programs are well designed, robust and useful as a point-of-teaching aid and for revision.