Prlnclples ofChemistry J & S Software. 135 Haven Avenue, Port Washington. NY 11050 Hardware: Apple II Family Components: Two disks and Manual Level and Subject: High School and Junior College. Princioies of Chemistrv Cost: $170
Summary Ratlngs: Category Ease 01 Use: sublect mner Content: Pedagogic Value: Student Reaction:
Ex~~llent God Average God
Revlew Principles of Chemistry is a series of lessons designed to cover four of the main topics covered hy high school or junior college chemistrv students. The five disks orovide t,utornl instruction in (1) . . electron structure. t2J ionic hunding, (3) covalent bonding. 14) the periodic table, and (61the gas laws. Each program in the series provides instruction enhanced by graphs, charts, and periodic tables. The programs then evaluate student progress with questions and prohlems to solve. An incorrect response elicits a brief review of the concept, followed by several more questions andlor problems. At the end of each program there is a test that the student should take. The student scores are recorded in a file to which only the teacher has access. Each time the test is taken variables a n d some of t h e questions are changed, thus preventing students from memorizing answers and retaking the test without understanding the concept. Scores are recorded each time the test is taken al~~~~
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lowing the teacher to know how many times thestudent completed the test. Theseries is not copy protected and permission is granted to make copies for in school use. This program was reviewed and evaluated by high school students in their second year of chemistry. And although the stated intent of the series is to "help students learn and review each of the topics" presented, the students felt that the design and content of the series was effective and useful as a review of first-year topics but did not lend itself to initial learning. Several of the programs contained spelling errors that did not affect function of the lessons. Some of the programs, however, contained errors that would greatly confuse a student who was approaching the material for the first time. T o students using the programs for review purposes, these errors were easily recognized as content errors. While these errors did not hinder the program's effectiveness as a concept review medium, they did tend to reduce the program's credibility. Some of the programs are menu driven, thus allowing the students to choose to review the entire oromam. review onlv certain arena. or to ehailen& the test without orior rrview. This feature wna seen as beneficial aar not inrluded m ell ofthe programs. bu~ Another beneficial feature lacking in some of the program was an "overview" of the program content given before the test. Overall I feel that the Principles of Chemistry series is very useful as a means of reviewing basic concepts. I t should not, however, he used to present new material in a first-year course. The errors in the programs should have heen found and corrected during development. Since the programming is accessible by the user, errors can he easily corrected. ~d M. Powell Liberty High School 100 Liberty Minuteman Drive ~
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-~evrewec~ in I his Issue Computer
Bedlord. VA 24523
Protein Purlflcatlon A. G.800th and B. 0.Hames, IRL Press at Oxford University Press, Waiton Street, Oxford OX2 6DP England
Hardware: Components: Level and Subject:
Macintosh Disk and Manual Undergraduate, biochemistry
Cost:
$150
Summary Ratings: Category
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E m 01 Use: Sublect Msner Conlent: Pedagogic Value:
Excellem
Student Reaclfon:
Untested
Very g o d God
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This software package is designed to simulate the procedures used to purify a protein starting with a protein homogenate resulting from sonicatian, for example, from which the RNA and DNA has already been removed. A set of 20 enzymes are included and the student can select any one of these to purify. In addition, new sets of parameters describing a new protein can he added to the program if desired using the "Mixture Editor". The protein parameters include the thermal stability, the net charge on the protein, the pH range of activity, the molecular weight and charged suhunit composition, the specific activity and the surface hydrophobicity. In ooeration the student selects an unknown.protein to purify and the pH range of enzymatic activity and thermal stability of the enzyme are provided to assist the student in selecting an appropriate purification
Revlewer
Learning Packages
J & S Sofhvare, Principles of Chemistry A. G. Booth andB. D. Hames, Protein Purification EXP: The Scientific Word Processor, Version 2.0
Ed M. Powell Edward R. Birnbaum Thomas H. Richardson
A109 A109 A110
Alan J. Pribula Alan J. Pribula
A112 A112
Bwks John Emsley, The Elements P. A. Cox, The Elements: Their Origin. Abundance, and Distribution Titles of Interest Monographs Continuing Series
Volume 68
Number 4
April 1991
A109
