An activity based program for A-Level which is designed to compliment rather than replace the standard textbooks. Students are taken through the essentials of the works of Weber, Hotelling, Losch, Smith and Pred.

Most of the tasks are graphics based. Where suitable, standard diagrams have been adopted to allow students to reinforce and extend their knowledge and understanding by selecting optimum locations from the information presented and seeing how such locations can change over time.

There are four sections, covering theories which:

1.    emphasise cost factors

2.    are concerned with locational interdependence

3.    emphasise demand in terms of market areas

4.    emphasise profit and human behaviour

In total there are 87 pages with tasks which can be worked through in about 90 minutes. All key terms are highlighted and by clicking on them, more detailed information is available.

Complete with installation package.

The TES said:

"Putting industry in its place

The Evolution of Industrial Location Theory

'Teacher knows best' appears to be the motto of the Usable Software Company. Its policy is to commission software programs direct from practising teachers. As a result the products have a relevance and practicality not always apparent in educational software. In particular these two programs, which are intended for more able GCSE and A-level students, have a refreshing simplicity.

The Evolution of Industrial Location Theory sets out the background to Weber's original ideas, then in a sequence of easy-to-follow screens, takes the reader/user through subsequent developments and enhancements. There are opportunities for interaction between user and program, but these are minimal. This doesn't matter; what does matter is that students, either working in groups or alone, can discover the relevance and importance of this key geographical concept by repetition and reinforcement. One can only admire the directness of the approach, which, coupled with the clarity of the graphics and the simplicity of the text, makes this an ideal example of how to use computers in the classroom.

(review of  Geo Quiz)

Both programs are PC-based and require Windows. They are easy to install.

Site/network licences are also available from the Usable Software Company."