Disney Interactive has ventured into homeschool education. The Jungle Book: Key Stage 1 CD-Rom has more than 750 exercises complying with literacy, numeracy and scientific development strategies for key stage 1.
They involve Mowgli the cartoon character and his bear buddy Baloo on a search for treasure. Disney employed teacher Rachel Sale to match game activities to the curriculum, while parents and children were consulted on the fun factor.
Disney Interactive is taking a risk according to ChartTrack. UK home education in 1998 made up nearly 12 per cent of software sales; last year it was less than 6 per cent. Matt Carroll, UK director, said: “This is probably the hardest time to come to the market with this product. Budgets are falling, people are cutting back on costs.”
Disney Interactive hopes the Jungle Book CD will give it a foothold in home education - then other Disney characters, like Woody and Buzz of Toy Story, could appear in curriculum software. The Jungle Book: Key Stage 1 costs pound;19.99 and is in stores now. Sara Mackie
