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Technology Software schools evaluation completed by West Redcar Community School.

"Crocodile Technology is very useful at reinforcing electronic concepts for a wide range of abilities". Al Hickman

West Redcar Community School

Crocodile Technology Trial - Evaluation of Software

Crocodile Technology is very useful at reinforcing electronic concepts for a wide range of abilities. There are workbooks that are interactive, allowing pupils to learn in a stimulating and informative way. The software also allows pupils to assess their own work once they have completed the tests that are on-screen.

The drag and drop style menus allow easy access to component selection, enabling pupils to select and experiment with different components and values. This increases their level of understanding and enables the more able pupils to be extended academically. Crocodile Technology also has a library of books that are concerned with communications and how electronics impacts on society, giving an insight into how our society has evolved. There are also hundreds of lesson plans available on the website to use in conjunction with the software.

Circuits can be constructed and tested by the software, allowing simulation of industrial practices and giving pupils an awareness of CAD and its advantages in industry. If the design is not correct when tested, Crocodile Technology will give reasons for its failure and suggestions of alternatives to make the circuit work.

The interface is very simple and is suitable for both key stage 3 and key stage 4. The design allows pupils to achieve progression regardless of ability and requires a very small amount of time to become confident.

Models created in Crocodile Technology can also be imported into PCB Wizard, which allows a pcb to be designed from a circuit diagram. Once imported the pcb can be customised to suit the design specification, or it can be left if the pupils are of lower ability.

Overall, the software is excellent in allowing pupils of all abilities to achieve and be motivated to use the system. The workbooks are an invaluable resource in terms of project research and as a means of self-learning and assessment. When used with key stage 3 students the application will help develop pupil capability in readiness for an Electronics course at key stage 4.

Al Hickman