The software makes excellent use of the technology and includes animations, videos, maps, diagrams, flags, music, speeches and audio, as well as text that is suitable for a range of age levels. While some sections of the disk may not be appropriate for some primary age children, the encyclopedia, the book of facts, the atlas and the Macquarie dictionary and thesaurus will be very useful. Microphone and printer highly recommended. Kid Works Deluxe is essentially a word processing package designed for children to help them create multimedia books, stories and poems using words, pictures and sounds. It can be used across all Learning Areas and helps children develop language and literacy skills, computer skills, organisational skills and design and desktop publishing skills.
Students can also animate their work.
Navigation is through a graphical interface and is easy to use, while verbal and visual reinforcement will help students with difficulties as they use the program to develop written work in a non-threatening atmosphere. Internet access is also available through this package, so children can share their work and interact with other students on the World Wide Web. The teacher s edition contains a wealth of teaching ideas, blackline masters and lesson plans in the manual. Using software is a great way for students with learning difficulties to express themselves. They don t have to worry about presentation or physical limitations, and can concentrate on practising literacy skills, thinking skills and problem-solving.