Idigicon Full Marks - Key Stage 1 Triple Pack 1 review

Verdict:

Review Date: 15 Aug 2008

Price when reviewed: inc VAT

Reviewed By: Adam Banks

Our Rating 1 stars out of 5

Review
Specs

The box claims that Full Marks - Key Stage 1 Triple Pack 1 is the "No. 1 Best Selling KS1 Educational Title in the UK". We don't understand why, because it isn't very good.

We tried this bundle under Windows XP and Vista. It ran successfully in Windows XP. It doesn't claim to support Vista, but the installer did work eventually after generating a few errors that prompted Vista to kick in its compatibility mode for older software.

There are modules for Phonic Spelling, Number Skills and Early Science, each of which is installed separately. The software appears in a small, non-resizeable window, with calypso-style background music that, mercifully, can be turned off. Each child enters their name and age, which must be in the target range of four-seven; results are scored against 'expectation for age'. Under Vista, all our users' details were lost each time we closed the program.

We focused on the Early Science module, which offers four activities. A multiple-choice question appears with four colour-coded answers, and you select the colour by playing an arcade game. One problem for younger children is reading the question, which isn't spoken (though you hear words and sounds in the Phonic Spelling module). You then have to get the hang of the game. Jetman zoomed off at the slightest touch and crashed into too many asteroids. Only our 10-year-old got him home safely. Choosing the right answer felt irrelevant. Our testers liked whacking aliens in Alien Diner, but the game was almost unplayable.

You can choose from nine topics within each game, but the games don't change, and those in the other modules are basically the same with different graphics.

Full Marks was unpopular with our testers and we weren't convinced of its educational merit. We can't recommend it.

Prev Next

Get more reviews, tutorials and in-depth advice, every month with Computer Shopper.
Click here to try 3 issues for £1

< Previous Reviews : Software Next >

Sponsored Links

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.