Leisure ware

Software

Computer activities in an after-school club bridge the gap between the more obviously educational software of the classroom and the games back home. Whereas at school, the aims of IT sessions are clearly defined, sessions after school give children a chance to wind down after a busy day. However, a computer in an after-school club should not offer one or two children the opportunity to turn their backs on whatever else is going on and press their noses to the screen to the exclusion of all else. Rather, the choice of software on offer should encourage turn taking and co-operation in problem solving. The Logical Journey of the Zoombinis is just such a program. It officially supports growth in mathematical concepts and critical thinking skills. In practice, this means that the 12 different puzzles (each with four levels of difficulty) are great fun and a good opportunity for a group of children to work together. The Zoombinis are little creatures who need to be helped round an island. The obstacles in their way can be overcome by a bit of logic, working out, for example, which pizza toppings a monster likes, but noting which ones are rejected, or by discovering why some Zoombinis can cross one bridge across a ravine, but the others cannot. The publishers recommend the program for ages seven to 14 but the different levels mean there is leeway at both ends of the scale. Published by The Learning Company (Br?derbund), the school edition costs 39.95 for a single-user licence (PC and Mac compatible), though a home edition is available at computer retailers for rather less.