Mathematics

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. MATHEMATICS Ten different programs are provided in this package, ranging from basic arithmetic and the use of a calculator to algebra, geometry and trigonometry. This 'mathematics suite', as Letts call it, comprises a summary of important theory points, screen demonstrations, user interaction where the power of the computer is under the control of the student (eg the drawing of graphs), and several quizzes where the computer marks the answers and demonstrates correct solutions step-by-step. The suite ends with an hour-long trial examination based on the common core of the GCE syllabuses, at the end of which the student receives a breakdown of performance. The notes suggest that this exam might, in fact, be taken straight away in order to highlight specific areas of difficulty which could be worked on. Advice is also given to the student on how to use the programs in a revision scheme, and reference is made to the other Letts revision aids, such as the Passcards. Mathematics is a subject which lends itself well to computer assisted learning, and this package would be of great help to the serious student. It does, however, cover a very wide area of mathematical knowledge, so the student may find that certain programs are far too easy. A mathematics teacher commented that the area covered was, perhaps, far too wide, although some students might benefit from revision of the basics. 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

Explaining the layout of a scientific calculator in the Letts MATHEMATICS revision package.

Hard sums with the calculator, part of the MATHEMATICS software from Letts.