However, the CD-Rom requires over 50MB of hard disc space and an up-to-date machine (Pentium II or equivalent) that can cope with the video clips incorporated into the games. Installing the software is not straightforward, since additional video drivers need to be loaded.
At first glance the software looks great, but on closer inspection it relies heavily on the use of video and some of the games are disappointing.
The first game, 'Fetch on TV', basically replays some favourite video clips from the TV series. Each clip has a corresponding spoken text caption and also the facility for older children to write their own labels or captions.
'Tom's game', a different slant on the good old matching game, encourages pupils to match X-rays to the correct animal. Three levels ensure a gentle progression as pupils try to find a match, first from two creatures, then three and then four.
Other games include colouring characters, shape recognition and a simple football game to develop hand-eye co-ordination. Children can also assemble four-, nine-or 16-piece puzzles and completed puzzles turn into... video sequences! Finally there is 'Trevor's board game'. Based on 'snakes and ladders', but using stethoscopes and thermometers instead, the game has three levels of difficulty and encourages turn-taking and counting. It would be a good adult-child shared activity.
If you have a bunch of children who love the TV series, or if the software fits in with a vet theme, then you may wish to consider buying this (29). Otherwise there are probably better value-for-money pieces of software.
Granada Learning, 0161 827 2927
