Action SATS Learning: Key Stage 1 4-7 Years: Times Tables

Action SATS Learning: Key Stage 1 4-7 Years: Times Tables is a title that is designed to help children learn through a gaming environment. The subject here is, obviously, mathematics & simple multiplication and the title plays just like a computer game.

Each topic is treated as a new level in the game, when a level is completed the player is treated to a mini-game and the points scored in these games are used to increase the pupils game time. The game continues until the player runs out of time at which point the game ends.

The topics/levels in this title are: 2 & 5 times tables; 3 & 4 times tables; Tables to 6 times 5; Tables to 12 times 5; 6 & 10 times tables; 7 & 8 times tables; Tables to 6 times 8; Tables to 12 times 8; 9 & 11 times tables; 11 & 12 times tables; and Tables to 12 times 12.

The format throughout is the same, the player is presented with a series of multiple choice questions each of which has four possible answers. Each question has a points value which decreases the longer the pupil takes to answer. To aid the pupil there are three help options, a 'Zap 2'box which eliminates two false answers; a 'Clue' box which gives the pupil a very strong hint that, in some cases, is the same as giving the full answer; and a 'Look It Up' box which gives the pupil the information they need to answer the question.

Often questions are simple sums such as "2 x 5 = 5 ?" and the answer is a number. Sometimes however it is a question such as 'Moby has six games each of which has five levels, how many levels are there altogether?', and while teh answers are generaly numbers they can be words or occasionally four pictures showing different numbers of items.

There is a high score table and the game is played entirely with the mouse.

The mini games in this title are:* Skid Marks: A mouse controlled driving game where the player must race down a road, avoiding cones and roadside obstacles, for as long as possible

• Marbles: This is a Pac-Man style game in which the player must collect dots and fruit scattered around a maze while avoiding four baddies. There's only one life in this game.
• Fishy Business: The player controls a mini submarine and must dive for shells. This is another single life game and any contact with the fast swimming fish means the end of the game.

All levels can be revised, i.e. played individually, and the pupil can also take a test in each subject for which they are rewarded with a printable certificate.