Within each environment children progress from simple matching games to more complex decision-making activities such as having a bath and making a cup of tea.
The software can be accessed using a mouse, keyboard or switch, and you have full control over each activity setting. Websworth, a friendly spider, gives simple instructions before leaving the user to experience each Microworld along with colourful characters called Sam and Jo, and Pickle the dog.
The two Microworlds to explore, the house and the garden, each contain nine interactive objects, with eight activities. The simplest two encourage children to position objects, and could prompt discussions about the function and location of household objects.
The next two interactive activities are much more fun. Children control the actions of Jo or Sam around the house and garden by just clicking objects.
They click the bed to get Jo out of bed, get her dressed by clicking the wardrobe, make her go to the loo (this will get screams of laughter!) and then go downstairs and watch TV. Some of the actions require more than one input -getting a bath requires the water to be turned on and off before it overflows.
The last four activities are similar in format. An object, symbol or word appears on screen, or is spoken, and children match it by clicking on the same object in the house or garden.
This software will support many topics, develop mouse control and language skills and provide hours of fun.
Microworlds 2000, CD for PC, 29 for initial user and 10 per additional licence (excluding VAT), Granada Learning, tel: 0161 827 2927 (credit card sales only) or fax: 0161 827 2966.
