The march of multimedia continued at last week’s Education Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, sponsored by The TES and the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority, and organised by the British Educational Suppliers Association and Emap Education.
The 14,500 visitors (11 per cent up on last year) saw book publishers, equipment manufacturers and television companies jostling with the computer companies to show their CD-Rom prowess. Thomas Nelson made its multimedia debut at the show, while Collins Educational caught the eye with its Romeo and Juliet disc, which cross-referenced scenes from a BBC production of the play with the text and supporting notes.
Thomas Nelson 0932 262215; Collins Educational 041-306 3200.
* If teachers wanted to put their students in front of the cameras, there were also offers on hand. Video security cameras were being exhibited by Alarms Direct that not only promised to protect property from the wave of school robberies, but could also be used to create safe areas where bullying would be deterred.
If a complete closed-circuit television system seems a little labour-intensive not to mention expensive, then the same company was offering dummy cameras. Including “flashing LED for extra realism”, the biggest of the fake cameras cost Pounds 89.99. If this seems a bit steep for a metal case with a flashing light, then perhaps the CDT department could oblige.
Alarms Direct 0788 510220.
* The harm that television can do to children usually focuses on what’s on the screen, but Tyne Pro TV was more concerned with the dangers of a bulky set falling on young heads. According to the company, five children have died as a consequence of accidents with television sets. To reduce the risk, Tyne Pro was offering televisions mounted on stands designed to resist the worst that children could throw at them.
Tyne Pro TV 0582 606266.
Sean Coughlan
