Abraquest Release 2.7.4.0

Abraquest 2.7.4.0 is released today. It contains an improved search for use when searching for key stage books.

Abraquest has always had level number in its book database. However it hasn't always been used for the Key stage learning books such as Oxford Reading Tree, because many schools keep these books in the classroom, not the library and do not loan these books to children to take home.

We hope to change this in the future by adding both improved features to Abraquest and possibly offer additional add on products to cater properly for these requirements.

However just over a week ago I was contacted by a lady who was asking about the Oxford reading tree colour bands, and I realised during the course of our conversation that we could do a lot better in this respect.

To begin with, the reading levels correspond to both colour bands and the school year. So I have created a page in the depths of the system that records this information:

Abraquest Reading Levels

Now that Abraquest "knows" about the relationship between reading levels, names and colours, the search has been enhanced to allow books to be found that match given levels, colours or school years:

Abraquest Main Search

More Developments Planned

This is just the start. It allows schools to enter these books and find them again and also if Abraquest is used, to view pupil reading histories. There are a couple of interesting developments planned:

1. Soon after christmas 2016, we are putting better pupil identification in (as an option). With this in place, we will revisit this subject again and allow books to be found that are appropriate to the younger readers as a replacement way of searching for books for these readers.
2. We also plan an add on that will bring Abraquest to the classroom without bringing the library computer with it so that further features can be added that support schools in this area.

It is recommended to upgrade to the latest release.

As always please contact us if you have any comments or feedback.

About the author

Philip Johnson

Philip Johnson has been a software developer since 1983 and has been involved with Abraquest since 2004. He is the director of Spherical Software Limited (www.sphericalsoftware.com), the company that owns Abraquest.