Information Technology
Planning for ICT and geography at KS1 and 2 (1999) cost 50p is an immensely helpful 12 page booklet for geography subject leaders. Obtainable from the Geographical Association, listed in the introductory page to Resourcing KS1 and 2 Geography.
Most software can be supplied by REM Rickitt Educational Media Ltd, Great Western House, Langport, Somerset, TA10 9YU Tel: 01458 253636 Fax: 01458 253646. Email: info@r-e-m.co.uk A comprehensive catalogue can be obtained from them.
Other software publishers: SoftTeach, Sturgess Farmhouse, Longbridge, Deverill, Warminster, Wilts, BA12 7EA Tel: 01985 840329.
Attica Media House, Presley Way, Cronhill, Milton Keynes, MKS OES Tel: 01908 570113. Matrix Multimedia Ltd, 10 Hey Street, Bradford, BD7 1DQ Tel: 01274 730808.
Geography specific software is constantly being developed. The Internet is potentially the most useful information technology resource for geography. A list of useful programmes follows.
| Title | Publisher | Format | System | Description | Price Guide |
| Around the world in 80 days | Sherston | 3.5 | Acorn | Intro to geographical skills including grid references, longitude and latitude, timezones, contours. | £ 44.95 |
| Biosphere | Morgan Interactive | CD ROM | PC | "A comprehensive guide to planet earth" – An encyclopedia. | £ 24.95 |
| Britain from the air | Anglia TV | CD ROM | Acorn | 200 vertical and oblique photographs from around the British Isles selected for their classroom value. | £ 40.00 |
| Climatic Change | SEMERC | CD ROM | Acorn PC | Investigates global warming issues. | £ 35.00 |
| Conservation | SEMERC | CD ROM | Acorn | Looks at the need to preserve the natural. | £ 35.00 |
| Discover York and Discover London | OS | CD ROM | Acorn PC | High quality mapping and vertical aerial photography plus additional photographs and textural information. | £ 75.00 each |
| Discovering Map Skills | Pebbleshore | CD ROM | PC | "An interactive approach to the map skills element of the National Curriculum". | £ 35.00 |
| Dorling Kindersley World Reference Atlas | Dorling Kindersley | CD ROM | PC | World atlas with over 20,000 pop up windows containing information on every county and more!! | £ 58.73 |
| Dwindling resources | SEMERC | CD ROM | Acorn PC | Examines the world’s energy resources and how life around the world has been affected. Also looks at alternative energy resources. | £ 35.00 |
| Environment Water | YITM | CD ROM | Acorn PC | Examines the use of water in industry, agriculture, home etc. Case studies include Aswan Dam and Thames Barrier. | £ 79.99 |
| Exploring Maps | YITM | CD ROM | Acorn PC | Introduces maps and mapping. The disc presents maps of the world, Europe the Americas and Great Britain, coming with pictures, text, video and audio. | £ 59.99 |
| Flight Path | STORM | All | All | Assuming the role of an airline pilot you plan a flight across Europe, making accurate calculations and logical decisions to produce a successful flight. | Varies |
| Geography Data | Iota Software | 3.5 | PC | Project ideas that let you explore the use of data handling in geography. Includes projects on earthquakes, environment, weather and shipping forecasts, history and the local Community and questionnaires. | £ 35.00 |
| Global Explorer | De Lorme | CD ROM | PC | Descriptions of 20,000 cultural, geographical, historical and social features of the world with an informative world atlas. | £ 69.00 |
| Local Studies | Soft Teach | 3.5 | Acorn Win | Learn map symbols, grid references, draw your own local maps. Also allows you to import OS maps, pictures and surveys. | £ 45.00 |
| Map Skills | Pebbleshore/ Cumana | CD ROM | Acorn PC | A pack to support the main elements of Maps skills at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3, using grid references and OS type maps. | Ac £ 50.00 PC £ 35.00 |
| Mapventure | Sherston | All | All | Part 1 introduces mapping. Part 2 can only be described as orienteering on a computer. | £ 28.95 |
| Nigel’s World | Ablac | 3.5 CD ROM | Apple PC | "National Geographic style" photos help children to recognise continents and countries. Teaches about people, animals, topography. Includes assignments to develop skills. | £ 34.95 |
| OS Interactive Map of Britain | OS | CD ROM | Acorn PC | Up to date OS mapping with videos, pictures and sound. | £ 75.00 |
| Physical landscape of Britain | Bedfordshire Database | CD ROM | PC | A library of photographs showing example of all types of landscapes. A recent review:- "The best new educational product at BETT" | |
| Physical World | SEMERC | CD ROM | Acorn PC | Brings geographical concepts to life using animation and video, with over 1,000 photos maps and diagrams. | £ 79.00 |
| Riverbasin Landforms | AVP | 3.5 | Acorn PC | The material in this module relates to a study of landforms associated with river basins. Includes worksheets and data experiments. | £ 59.30 |
| Rivers in the United Kingdom | AVP | 3.5 | Acorn PC | Picture reference library of river formations found in the United Kingdom. | £ 59.50 |
| Round the world Yacht Race | STORM | 3.5 | Acorn PC | Simulation of "British Steel Challenge" Round the world Yacht Race. Provides exercise in maths and geography in line with National Curriculum requirements. | £ 29.77 |
| Swamp Gas Visits | Iota Software | 3.5 | Apple PC | A fun method of teaching European geography by guiding an alien around European cities. | |
| Water watch | Anglia TV | 3.5 | Acorn | Illustrates how the environment is made up of a series of inter-related and balanced parts, but can be disturbed. | £ 34.50 |
| Weather mapper | TAG | 3.5 | Acorn Mac Windows | Provides information about the climate, weather systems, charts and folklore. Also allows weather data to be entered and graphs produced. | £ 39.95 |
| Weather watch | Soft Teach | 3.5 | Acorn PC | Recording weather conditions. A data handling package. | £ 45.00 |
| Well mapped world | SPA | 3.5 | Apple PC/Win | Atlas plus diagrams of galaxy, solar system etc. Instant access to maps and data on over 5,000 places. | £ 39.00 |
| Whether the weather | Anglia TV | 3.5 | Acorn | Data investigations. | £ 34.50 |
| World Map Study | ESM | 3.5 | Acorn | A map based database for displaying geographical and environmental information. | £ 59.50 |
| Zig Zag World/Map | National Geographic | CD ROM | PC | A test of geographical knowledge. | £ 34.04 |