Dear All,
We have just received 100 copies of a Tarzan - Safe Surfing CD-ROM from the
Campaign for Learning, and having just examined the content are at a bit of
a loss as to how we should make use of it.
The information received from the Campaign for Learning claims that the CD
will give pupils and families, "...an excellent platform for expanding their
knowledge of the Worldwide Web". The CD, however, appears to contain little
or no educational or learning content, being simply a plug for Walt Disney's
new feature and Cable & Wireless' Internet service. In addition the small
print indicates that the 'Planet Kids' service cost £2.95 per month and that
C& W's Internet service is available at "rates similar to a local telephone
call". We do not see how the disk fulfils the Campaigns claims as, unlike
the BBC's Webwise product, it contains no information or guidance on how to
use the Internet, and most of the links on the disk require you to either
have an Internet connection already or to connect via the routes offered by
the above mentioned company.
We are reluctant to distribute this disk through our libraries as we do not
wish to be seen to be giving an official endorsement to Cable & Wireless'
Internet service.
Have other libraries received this CD-ROM and are as confused as we are?
What are you plans?
John Murphy
Group Manager
Central Information Services
Central Library
Surrey Street
Sheffield
S1 1XZ
Tel: 0114 273 6645
Fax: 0114 273 5009
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