Computing: Club class

Computer clubs for children were just the beginning for one enterprising teacher, as Jenny Benjamin discovers

Alayne Levy, an ex-primary school teacher, and mother of five children, first became interested in computing ten years ago, when she was looking for ways of amusing and stimulating her eldest child Hannah, who has Down's Syndrome. She started to search for suitable programmes, but found that there was very little information to guide her.

The problems she encountered made her realise that her growing knowledge of the children's software market was something of a rare commodity, and, being an energetic and enterprising person, she soon found ways of putting her expertise to good use.

She helped to found Horizon, a small charitable organisation that makes computers and software accessible to the families of children with special needs. She also began to sell software independently by the party plan method, showing selected programmes on a PC which she'd take to people's houses. 'I liked doing the demonstrating very much, but I didn't like lugging the equipment around,' she says. Just as she was pondering her next move, a friend approached her at playgroup, and asked if Alayne would teach her daughter how to use a computer. Alayne accepted, and her computer clubs were born.

That was three years ago. Now Alayne teaches three computer groups a week. Each session lasts 45 minutes, and they all happen on the same day when her mother-in-law is roped in to look after the family. She teaches one group of pre-schoolers in the afternoon, and two groups of older children after school.

There are four children in each group, with two to a computer. A third computer is kept in reserve in case there's an activity that one child needs to do alone.

The clubs are a great success both for the children, and for Alayne herself. She's using her teaching skills and making a tidy 32 per session as well as earning a little more from selling software. When family life calms down a little, she will probably increase the number of groups, and perhaps even teach adults in the evenings.

In the meantime there's her latest idea, Interactive Kids. Never slow to spot an opportunity, she's now put together starter packs for people interested in setting up their own computer clubs. She's offering four different packs:

• Pack 1, Early Years;
• Pack 2, Key Stage 1/2;
• Pack 3, Key Stage 2; and
• Pack 4, Basic Computer Skills for Adults/Teachers.

The early years pack costs 145 and includes a booklet on running your own computer club, at least six software titles, a rollerball for children who find it difficult to use a mouse, and membership of Brainworks Direct, a network selling company that offers future access to discounted software.

It's too early to tell whether this latest venture will be a success, but judging from the interest shown at Nursery World's recent Under 12s exhibition, I'd say that Alayne Levy is on to another winner.

To contact Interactive Kids, phone 020 8891 1644 or e-mail alayne@interactive-kids.co.uk

Software reviews: Wordless charm

If the children's software you're used to is of the whizzy, busy commercial kind, a programme like Abrakadabra (Windows, CD-Rom, Inclusive Technology, 39 plus VAT) seems impossibly simple. It consists of 30 pictures you build up, piece by piece, by a click or a switch. When the picture is complete, another click will produce a sound and an animation. Click again, and the menu reappears. That's it.

But in this case, Less Is More. For very young children and for those with special needs, this combination of ultra-simple format and clear, high-quality images offers more than any of the frenetic media spin-off products on the market. Like a favourite board book, with the added pleasures of discovery, interaction, sound and movement, it has strong colours, clear outlines and objects that children will recognise.

There is nothing to distract attention from the object or scene portrayed, and each step can be taken in the child's own time. Even the menu screen music is catchy and pleasant, rather than inane and irritating.

The first of the programme's three levels shows objects against a minimal background. The second adds more detail, and the third is more complex still. As complexity grows, more clicks are required to complete each picture.

As well as being a fun introduction to using a mouse or switch, Abrakadabra is useful for language work. Children can take as long as they like discussing and describing the pictures, and speculating on what might come next.