Game Reviews for Educational Software

Driving Test Success

Driving Test Success was the UK’s best-selling driving test software
brand for 9 full years from 1999 to 2007*.

The dominance continues in 2008 – from January to June, Driving Test
Success ALL TESTS outsold the next best-selling driving test product
by 5 units to 1†.

Driving Test Success ALL TESTS consistently out-performs even the
biggest selling budget-price PC games, 12 months of the year**.

£9.99 inc VAT. 

Driving Test Success ALL TESTS 08/09 is available to ORDER NOW. Don’t miss out on this opportunity

NEW! Contains the complete OFFICIAL DSA Theory Test Question Bank, valid from 1st September 2008.

NEW! Our innovative SAFE DRIVER TEST encourages learners to drive responsibly.

PLUS! The only driving test software to include LEARN ON THE GO which allows iPod® and mobile phone users to practice for their Theory Test anywhere.

For full product information click here

*Source: DSA Annual Report 2006-07. **Source: Chart Track Annual Reports, 1999-2007. † Source: ChartTrack Monthly Reports, January-June 2008. iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc. This product is not endorsed, sponsored or approved by Apple. All trademarks are acknowledged as the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Jolly Phonics

This is a great CD for all children who are learning to read, or who have learnt some but need reminding of words and what they look like.  It has very clear instructions and lovely colours and images designed to keep kidsinterested in the programme.

They use fun characters and images to entice kids to look at different areas, and it is set up for new learners with the Easy option, up to ones who have grasped basic reading but need some revision or help with words and they can take the Hard option.

Overall I believe this CD would be of great interest to families and schools alike and everyone should be encouraged to purchase one.

Jolly Learning, publishers of the leading synthetic phonics programme Jolly Phonics announce the release of the Jolly Phonics CD-ROM. It contains the largest range of games for teaching and practising key literacy skills available on CD-ROM.

Let Inky Mouse and her friends show you around their interactive world as they learn to read and write. Containing 20 fun games children cover key skills such as, learning the letter sounds, letter formation, blending, identifying sounds in words, tricky words, short vowels and alternative spellings of vowels in an enjoyable way. Together these skills build the ability to read and write.

The CD-ROM has been developed to cater for children at all stages of early reading offering games at various levels of difficulty – easy, medium and hard.  Games are accessed through Inky’s home, which has seven zones. By clicking on each of these zones children will be taken through a number of engaging activities.

Offering high levels of interactivity and colourful animation  Inky ‘s world comes to life as children learn and practice their skills. Children are guided through the games with clear step-by-step instructions and are rewarded with fun animations for correct answers.

Encyclopaedia Britannica 2008 – Children’s Encyclopaedia

This is a great CD for children of all ages; there are 2 sections one for primary and the other for secondary students, it contains all the information any one could want in an easy to find process; and is displayed on very easy to understand pages.  My 8 year old daughter loved the countries section, and has started to learn French on the back of this CD.  It is a great motivator for children who are not too interested in learning and is a wonderful tool forhomework assistance.  I would recommend all homes get a copy.

This game is available for sale bywww.focusmm.co.uk and costs £19.99.

To take advantage of the current Reader Offer for Focus Products, click here.

Review submitted 14/11/07

Oxford First Encyclopedia – CD-Rom (For PC)

This is a great program to help children of all ages with homework and finding out new facts.  It is set up in an easy to understand and use format, with great graphics and clear concise text which is easy to follow.  There are games and activities that can either be carried out on the PC or for you to do at home again with clear instructions.  My daughter’s were not keen as according to them it wasn’t a real game but once I showed them the contents they were searching the sections and looking at all the things there – the evolution of man really grabbed their attention.  I think every home should have a copy of this for school or personal use.

This game is available for sale by www.focusmm.co.uk and costs £9.99.

To take advantage of the current Reader Offer for Focus Products, click here.

Review submitted 10/9/07

Thomas & His Friends Special Delivery – CD-Rom (For PC)

This is a great game for both boys and girls from 4+ onwards, my 6 year old daughter loved solving the puzzles and completing the levels, the best bit according to her was printing off the certificates to show you had solved all the puzzles in that level.  It has all the images and sounds relating to Thomas which any fan will enjoy.  Children are on the whole able to work out the problems without adult intervention.  A great game to keep them entertained on cold, wet days.  The main aim is to get a special cargo across the island safely and on time. 

This game is available for sale by www.focusmm.co.uk and costs £9.99.

To take advantage of the current Reader Offer for Focus Products, click here.

Review submitted 28/8/07

Pet Vet – CD-Rom (For PC)

This is a great game for children who are competent with reading or who have patient parents to sit near them.  You are working in a veterinary surgery and have to solve the health problems of a host of animals by asking questions, taking blood, temperature, etc – you are given loads of clues and a multiple choice answer.  This kept my 8 year old entertained for the whole of a very wet day.  This game is most suited to children over 7.

This game is available for sale by www.focusmm.co.uk and costs £9.99.

To take advantage of the current Reader Offer for Focus Products, click here.

Review submitted 28/8/07

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training - (For Nintendo DS)  

Take the brain age test and compare the score to your real age! Daily training by quickly solving simple mathematics, sudoku puzzles, memory exercises and reading aloud can stimulate your brain and keep it fit. Enjoy calculation battles over the Nintendo DS Wireless Communication! 

This game is available for sale at www.amazon.co.uk and costs £16.98

Jump Ahead - Starting Reading (PC)  

This is an educational game aimed at 4 – 5 years old, both my Daughters really enjoyed working their way round the different areas and completing the challenges set.  This is an ideal way for children to learn new words but also for older ones to have them reinforced.  My youngest is 5 and found it good to see how words are spelt, my eldest (8) found it a good way to revise words.

This is a great way for all parents to help children learn in a comfortable, fun, family environment.  Children with different abilities can help each other out and also learn something new at the same time, and parents can show them how to move round the different areas.

It helps concentration and listening skills as children need to listen to instructions and solutions. Overall it is money well spent and worth the money helping your child learn new skills.

For further information on the range of software available from Focus Multimedia please visit their website: www.focusmm.co.uk.

These packages are available from £9.99 and are sold in most good retailers.

To take advantage of the current Reader Offer for Focus Products, click here.

Review submitted by Heather McLean, 19/4/07

Jump Ahead – Starting Maths

This is a superb program to help children in early stages of learning find their way round maths and problems posed, but also helps the older ones with revision, showing them different ways of doing things and helping them to understand how maths works in a relaxed and fun way.

This package is aimed at 4 – 5 year olds but children up to 8 enjoy the easy areas but also find the harder sections challenging as well.

It is great for all the family to sit round the computer and work their way through the various levels.  A fun and enjoyable way to learn the basics of maths through fun and play and to improve their listening and concentration.

This game is available for sale by www.focusmm.co.uk and costs £9.99.

To take advantage of the current Reader Offer for Focus Products, click here.

Review submitted by Heather McLean, 19/4/07

To submit your own review, please email us at webmgr@primarytimes.net.