FlexiTree 3 is a branching database program which is designed for use at both KS1 and KS2 in Primary schools, as well as in Secondary schools. It enables you to create, edit and use a branching database. As well as being very easy to get started, the program has a range of features which means that it can deliver all the National Curriculum needs in this area.
A branching database (sometimes called a binary tree) is a way of classifying a group of objects. If it has been designed properly, someone else could use the tree to identify one of the objects. It could be used, for example, to classify mini-beasts, musical instruments, white powders or fruit. Using a branching database is rather like playing "20 questions". You are asked a series of questions, each of which must be answered yes or no. Finally, only one of the choices matches your answers and the object is identified.
FlexiTree makes it very easy to create your own tree (branching database). After typing the title of the tree, and giving an (optional) description, you are asked to type in a list of objects. You can always add more objects later if you wish. You can then give a comment about each object, and link a picture file and/or a sound file to it. Once this is complete, the program leads you through typing in a series of yes/no questions which will distinguish each of the objects in your list.
Once this process is complete, you can begin to use the tree. While you are creating a tree, you can stop at any time and save your work so far on disk. When you load the file back in on another occasion, the program will automatically take you back to the same point in the creation of the tree.
The program also allows you to look at a diagram of the whole tree (see below for an example). You can choose the direction of the tree to be up or down the screen. If the tree is very large, you can still see the shape of the tree, although you may not be able to read the text. In this case, you can use the mouse to point to any question or object and it will be shown in the normal text size. Alternatively, you can zoom in to look more closely at part of the tree.
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