Group test: what's the best education software?

5. LilyPond

• Reviewed on: 15 December 08
• RRP: FREE
• Rating:

LilyPond is a tool that anyone who wants to produce good-looking sheet music should at the very least familiarise themselves with. And it should get a lot better soon.

4. Prince Phonetics HD

• Reviewed on: 8 July 10
• RRP: £1.79
• Rating:

Prince Phonetics HD is a clean and simple phonics reading app for children that’s easy to use and well made. It’s so simple that the price – mid-range for such an app – is a little steep for its one-trick approach to the subject. But it works and at least parents will have a handy reminder of the sounds being taught in class.

3. Encyclopaedia Britannica 2009 Ultimate Edition

• Reviewed on: 12 February 09
• RRP: £39 inc. VAT
• Rating:

The 2009 Ultimate DVD Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica is relatively comprehensive but it faces an unequal struggle against the free monolith of Wikipedia, which ultimately has more depth to most of its entries. But the 4GB installation of Encyclopaedia Britannica 2009 beats the 180GB of English Wikipedia (if you should download the latest archive), so for reasons of size and safety, the Britannica still has its place.

2. Alien Monster Mix and Match - Educational Matching Game

• Reviewed on: 6 June 10
• RRP: £0.59 inc. VAT
• Rating:

There’s not a great deal to Alien Monster Mix and Match, but kids appear to enjoy its simple funny face matching game, and especially spinning the dials each turn. That’s worth 59p to most parents.

1. Princess Phonetics HD

• Reviewed on: 8 July 10
• RRP: £1.79
• Rating:

Princess Phonetics HD is a clean and simple phonics reading app for children that’s easy to use and well made. It’s so simple that the price – mid-range for such an app – is a little steep for its one-trick approach to the subject. But it works and at least parents will have a handy reminder of the sounds being taught in class.