Essential GCSE ICT for AQA Student's Book
"Exceptionally well structured. It covers all of the relevant material at exactly the right level. The images are well chosen and generally well integrated, although I often feel that images are used in textbooks to make it look good and that these are often a missed opportunity and should be referred to more within the text (as well as a label).
I like the extension activities, the range of questions and tasks and the text. There is something for everyone.
This is a superb textbook - so well written that I am going to review the exam board I am choosing next year - or is there an EDEXCEL one coming?"
- Philip Usher, mid-production review, February 2010
Essential GCSE ICT for WJEC Student's Book
"Folens is publishing a new GCSE ICT series of books this year, the first is the Essential GCSE ICT for WJEC Student’s Book. I was given a sneak peek and this is what I thought.
The use of real life picture are helpful to see what you are relating to; I noticed some cartoons as well, maybe a few more of those would be a good idea to make it less serious, plus people with reading difficulties would perhaps find more pictures necessary? I think that there was good use of print screen so you know what you are looking for when you have it up on the computer screen – also you can see what yours is supposed to look like if it doesn’t, you can find what you need to change to make it look identical.
There are good colour contrasts throughout the book using soft colours; the publisher hasn’t overpowered the actual information and taken any focus away, unlike some other books which use bold, vibrant colours which aren’t helpful or necessary. The boxes make it a lot easier to read as it breaks up the text so students don’t lose focus. I find the layout isn’t hard to follow because of the use of bullet points and subtitles. They make it simpler to read. This will keep the students feeling confident about what the are learning and how they are taking in the information.
Before opening the book I thought it looked a little scary but as I read through it, and having seen the pictures and calming colours, I felt a lot more relaxed and willing to learn. I think the introduction is very well written and set out. It explains what the book is about and what you would be learning, so what followed didn’t seem so intimidating and put me at ease. The “you will find” boxes are really helpful as you know what you are looking for. I find the language isn’t too hard to read; it is simple and gets straight to the point, which is good because from what I’ve seen at school, students in my age group don’t like reading pages and pages of irrelevant information. We want to get the job done without any worries, so using basic language is a good route to take. It also makes the teachers’ job a lot easier – they don’t have to explain the text in a simpler way as well.
Overall I think this book is easy to follow and would be happy to use it."
- Laura Anthony, ICT for Education Magazine, May 2010
Laura Anthony (14) will begin her GCSE courses at Fakenham High School in Norfolk next year.