Computer Studies

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. COMPUTER STUDIES Computer Studies is, of course one of the newest subjects in the curriculum, and it is appropriate that this subject too has prompted Letts to issue a software revision package to accompany their other aids. A very wide area of knowledge is covered in this suite, moving from the history of computers and information processing, to revision of the architecture of a typical digital computer and the CPU, and then on to information on computer hardware operating systems. Some of the programs help the student to revise software development skills, while others are aimed at deepening knowledge of techniques fundamental to the subject such as the analysis of logic circuits. The programs use a variety of learning techniques, ranging from passages which the student has to complete to multiple choice questions. In certain programs if wrong answers are given, the computer either provides a hint or displays the correct solution after a specified number of incorrect responses. Most of the programs commence with a menu from which the student may select an area of interest. High Level Languages for example allows a choice from: Expressions and Assignments, Branches and Loops, and Subroutines and Strings, white the very complex Number Systems program is divided into three different areas: 1) Binary and Decimal Positive Integers: 2) Negative Integers; Addition and Subtraction; 3) Octal and Hexidecimal. The students who looked at this suite for me were quite impressed with the range of topics covered and felt it would be a useful addition to their study aids. 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