Flashy Ducks
Flashy Ducks arrives as a daunting two CD Roms but it quickly becomes evident that the Teachers' copy is the one needing a little time to set up because the Children’s disc is intended for children to access the activities created by the teacher. In short, the teacher’s disc needs to be installed on a computer which is connected to an interactive whiteboard and the children’s disc, not unsurprisingly, needs to be set up on the computers the children use.
Flashy Ducks is an interactive teaching tool and its key selling point is that ‘it has computer based versions of QCA national test assessment materials’. This effectively means it has a range of SAT style questions that can be used in whole class teaching and also a package that allows children to use the resource independently to consolidate learning on computers.
If that introduction makes it sound a little dry, don’t be put off as it has a colourful and lively style that will make it a winner with children. The children I worked with thoroughly enjoyed it, found it fun and, more importantly, learning took place.
It’s a very flexible piece of software and is user friendly. The menu bar and instructions are very easy to follow, I’m sure those members of staff who are not comfortable using ICT will be able to use Flashy Ducks with confidence.
The basic format is a list of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 numeracy strategy objectives that are divided into four areas: L is a learning resource to support the teaching of mathematical concepts, T is a test question taken from the SATS which can be computer marked, R is a selection of questions at the expected level for Year 1 and Year 2. These can also be computer marked. Finally, the V option is where you or the children set up the question with computer marking. This range is vital to the program’s success as it means you can present objectives in meaningful contexts to promote discussion and you can set up a range of questions for children to complete which can be saved. The children enter these through the children’s version of Flashy Ducks, which is identical to the Teachers' program. This is useful as it will take minutes to set up activities for a group to access. To choose objectives/questions all that is needed is a simple procedure of clicking and dragging selected areas from the list to a “my selection&rdsquo; box. It really is very easy!
The activities are bright, colourful and it is very easy for children to access and work through the selections. All the children who used it in my class had no problems. The real bonus of them is that children, by simply clicking on an egg icon, 'hatch!', are given a new question. Another useful facility is the computer marking and the report that can be printed off. This is easy to read and gives quick feedback on how the children did. A key selling point of Flashy Ducks is the ‘Duck Back’ facility which the children can click on to check their work. However, one quibble is that this would be more effective if it offered the children constructive clues if they were stuck.
While on the subject of possible improvements, it would be really useful if a paper list of objectives could be provided for a quick scan, putting up in the ICT room or handing out to staff. This would help the busy teacher incorporate the program into their teaching at the planning stage. But I will be fair and say all the questions are levelled which is great tool in this age of teacher assessment.
To conclude, I think that Flashy Ducks is a superb piece of software that can be used to promote discussion, deliver objectives, to consolidate learning and for assessment. Like all software it will not be a one stop solution to integrating ICT into the curriculum but it is a valuable resource for whole class teaching and independent learning for the children. I would recommend it to any Numeracy Subject Leader and consider that in our school it will be used extensively.
Duncan Churchill
Consultant leading teacher, Mudeford Infants School, Dorset
Review Sections
See also
