|
TECHNOLOGY TEACHING RESOURCES | |
| Techsoft tutorials- now with slicker
interface. In fact existing users might well question whether there ever was an interface, which would be a fair comment. Users simply loaded file as needed and worked though them. It worked well enough, but was a little 'clunky'. Well, I've finally found a way to integrate them into a proper multimedia standalone presentation. Once started (from CD or over network) an introductory screen loads with links to a 'how-to-use' screen, teacher help files, and a main menu screen. From here the students can load the teaching files via graphical buttons. Overall appearance is much slicker and use is more intuitive. Also, students can take copies home and work through them in their own time, in conjunction with Techsoft's student version of the application. Same price- better product. For screen-shots follow the link on the right. The latest RMT video is now finished, and can be accessed on the right. Snappily titled 'Furniture 2', it's an 18 minute look at one of the UK's biggest office furniture makers. In three sections, it covers the making of two types of laminated desk-top, plus the upholstering and assembly of office chairs. A wide range of techniques are seen, from the matching and 'stitching' of veneers to state-of-the-art CNC saws and routers. I'll include more details on the link to the right in a few days time. New visitors.. For those new to my products, they comprise 2 main strands- videos/CD-ROMS of industrial processes and interactive training tutorials for Techsoft's 2Ddesign CAD software. Both are highly visual and tend to hold pupil's attention, and are suitable for a wide range of abilities. Read on for further details. Videos/CD-ROMs/DVD revision packs. A few words of explanation. I film companies in action, in industries that are relevant to the Technology syllabii, and create videos which explain the processes involoved. As a (now occasional) teacher myself I'm able to pitch the content and style in a concise, easy to understand way- using commentary and animations as well as the video footage to engage the audience. There are 6 titles available at present, covering the GCSE RMT, Graphics and Product Design exam syllabii. As well as the VHS tapes all titles are also produced on CD-ROMs for standalone or networked use. These also include an interactive quiz, which allows qualification for eLearning credits. Two DVD versions, with higher definition, contain all of the current titles as compilations. These is sold as revision packs, complete with all of the interactive quizzes and editable versions of the film scripts for use as handouts. NOTE I've arranged the titles in rough subject groups- DVD 1 has the Graphic Product films and DVD 2 the more RMT based ones. See Prices page for details. Tutorials. I'm rather pleased with these files, and am 'specially chuffed that so many schools are adopting them. Originally written for my own class use, they've now been much expanded and refined, and as far as I know there's nothing similar on the market. Their main advantage is that the learning is pupil-led and self-paced. Obviously teacher input and supervision is helpful, but most pupils are keen to press on by themselves. Basically you load the files (16 for KS3 and 28 for KS4) onto the PC's (or network them, license included) and a series of screens are raised by the pupils. These introduce the various drawing tools, show the best way to use them, then ask the pupils to try out the tools by 'tracing' over pre-drawn exercises. Follow link for screen-shots and further details.f |
|
||||||||||||||||