Chemical Education Today edited by
Book & Media Reviews
Cheryl Baldwin Frech University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK 73034
Comparison of Features, Electronic Homework Management Systems Task for reviewers: answer questions 1 through 9 using a scale of 1 = agree; 5 = disagree Question 1
System is easy to learn to use: by faculty by students
2
with CATALYST
Mastering Chemistry
OWL
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
ARIS
System is easy to use: by faculty by students
WileyPLUS
SmartWork WebAssign
3
System has enough variety of question types
1
2
1
1
1
1
4
System has enough variety of questions on each topic
2
2
2
1
2
2
5
System has complete coverage of gen. chem. topics
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
Student feedback is favorable: about questions
1
2
2
3
1
2
about gradebook
1
1
1
1
1
1
about other communication
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
7
System has adequate support: for faculty for students
8
System provides high quality of service (minimal downtime)
9
System is compatible with course mgmt. systems? If yes, which?
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
5
4
3 Depends on meaning of compatibility
Coming soon with Blackboard, WebCT, Angel
1
3
Familiar with Blackboard
If Excel compatible
Whiteboard, chat for online office hours.
–
Individual answer feedback; hints for custom tutoring; instructor diagnostic tools.
Useful student feedback; topic tutorials; simulations.
Equation editor; can “build” molecules to answer questions.
Internal email; discussion boards; compatible with 122 titles; uniform platform.
Yes.
Informal; see review.
No; informal only.
Described in the review.
Informal— tested for one semester before adoption.
No; used for seven years.
Is the program tied to use of a specific text or texts from the publisher?
Text specific; accesses problems from other texts of publisher.
No; but Wiley texts may provide better alignment. See Note 2.
See review, ref 2.
Described in the review.
Yes, Norton text.
No.
Cost per student, per semester? Free with textbook adoption?
$5/year See Note 2; more if varies among packaged bookstores; with text; cheaper $50/year as e-book only stand alone. or bundled.
Described in review.
Described in the review; see ref 1.
Free when bundled; $15 with used text.
$15.45/ semester; $11.95/ quarter. See ref 5.
10
Other noteworthy features of the system
11
Have you done a formal evaluation of the program’s use? an informal one?
12
13
© Division of Chemical Education • www.JCE.DivCHED.org • Vol. 86 No. 6 June 2009 • Journal of Chemical Education
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