Biology

Crash

Rosetta McLeod

CRASH COURSE Rosetta McLeod LET'S DO SOME REVISION In plenty of time for this year's examinations, Crash Course this month looks at Letts Keyfacts Revision software for O Level GCE, CSE and GCSE. Over the years, Letts have built up a solid reputation as publishers of the highly successful Study Aid series, and have now turned their attention to the computer education market. Their Keyfacts Revision software is the result of of a great deal of research among teachers throughout the country to determine the most appropriate technique and content for computer-based learning. Letts are keen to stress that the programs are not designed merely as cramming aids for exams, but rather are planned for use throughout courses. Quite a number of large educational publishers are now producing similar types of software for a wide variety of subjects, but not all of these programs are educationally valid, and in some cases, the student would achieve better results using a good set of notes. The Lefts programs use a variety of approaches to capture the learner's interest and to introduce an element of enjoyment into home study. The major advantage of computer programs over the normal textual study aids is that they can encourage greater participation in the learning processes and improve motivation. The computer can also mark the answers and, in the case of subjects such as mathematics, can actually demonstrate various constructions and solutions. Used in conjunction with other methods, the Letts programs are extremely useful indeed. Each package contains two cassette tapes and a booklet describing the software, and retails for £11.50. BIOLOGY The programs in this package fall into two categories. The graphics based ones are built up by interaction with the user, so that understanding of the structure and functioning of the organs or systems concerned is deepened. In Loco for example, a clue appears on the screen, the correct answer to which begins the drawing of the skeleton. A similar technique is used in The Eye where a diagrammatic cross-section of the eye is gradually built up in response to correctly answered questions on the structure and accommodation of the eye. The second category involves the application of a large body of knowledge - in Homeostasis the student should know how temperature, water balance, breathing rate and blood glucose levels are controlled in a mammal. In addition to those already mentioned, the program suite covers topics such as Variety of Life (the plant kingdom, invertebrates, arthropods and vertebrates), Nutrition in plants and animals, Food Webs in various habitats, Breathing, Blood, Circulation, Reproduction, and Genetics. The graphics are clear and are used to good effect - but the content of the programs is perhaps lacking in depth for serious study purposes. CONTROL KEYS: Apart from the problems in the Chemistry suite, the control keys are clearly explained and are easy to use. KEYBOARD PLAY: Very responsive USE of COLOUR: Simple but clear. GRAPHICS: Used to good effect

Classifying bugs, beasties and organisms in the BIOLOGY revision package from Letts.