Young Writers’ Workshop (Granada Learning)  

This program is a Primary follow-up to the successful and excellent ‘Writers’ Workshop’ which was aimed at Key Stage 3. It provides a highly organised and motivating environment for writing. Whereas many computer programs just seem to be screen versions of worksheets and books, this program makes full use of the computer’s ability to handle sound and video. Like its ‘big brother’ disc, Young Writers’ Workshop sets a series of journalistic challenges. In ‘Writers’ Block’ a pupil can write magazine-style photo-stories, build cartoon style faces and write about the characters, or script and record a radio program. This is achieved by simply plugging a microphone into the computer, and would only be possible otherwise with a great deal of equipment. 

In ‘Newsgroup’ non-fiction texts are used, and among other activities you can script and record commentary or sound for video clips. There are Internet links provided so that a ‘reporter’ can collect additional material. In addition, every piece of writing is saved as a web page, so it is very easy to publish or distribute any of the materials you write. The whole program is provided in French, German and Spanish as well as English, and comes with notes and worksheets. All this is presented in a very well designed and exciting way, both technically smooth-running and attractive to children.

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