Interactive multimedia chemistrysoftware
Interactive multimedia chemistrysoftware
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What is Polychem?
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This page answers some questions about Polychem What is Polychem?Polychem is a comprehensive interactive multimedia chemistry tutorial and simulation tool that helps teachers and students by providing literally hundreds of hours of student activity. The software is not like those programs that provide a nice but short demonstration on a single topic. The full program occupies 500mB on CD, there are hundreds of screens. The software contains literally dozens of topics, simulations, videos and activities at senior high school/ college level provided on a CD that is playable on both PC and Mac formats. The software has been developed over the past ten years and has been the subject of a number of research studies. These have enabled the software to develop, and determined the ways that it can be used to best advantage by students and teachers. Priced at a site cost less than most science software, as well as being much more comprehensive, this interactive multimedia chemistry program uses a metaphor of a learning institution with this elevator screen giving an indication of some of the general topics. These topics often lead to others and there is another elevator that contains more industrial and vocational applications. An early version of the demo (now significantly upgraded) was awarded four stars by Ziff-Davis Software. What level is the program? Senior high school and college, with an emphasis on the applied nature of chemistry. Most high schools use it for year 12 as well as for some topics at year 11. There are more sections that extend the range of applicable levels. What benefits are there for a teacher?Students using this interactive multimedia chemistry program are on task for a longer time and are easier to help learn. There has been a more relaxing atmosphere in the class with more time to work on a one to one basis. There has also been less teacher involvement in marking, the students are able to reflect and learn from their own mistakes much more than in the past. This environment can be used a significant teaching tool, not just as a supplement. This means that there is not the stress of a normal classroom. Teachers with more time should be better teachers. What benefits are there for students?Research has shown that the students using this interactive multimedia chemistry approach are well motivated and enjoy using the software. They prefer the software to traditional types of instruction and have more have fun in chemistry. Students are empowered to take more responsibility for their own learning and can spend time learning, not just copying down notes. What response has there been?Feedback has been excellent. A common response from the schools is that the software is comparable in cost to a set of textbooks. They have said that the students are often asking to use the computers but usually never have asked to use textbooks. How long has it been in use?The software has been in use and constantly upgraded since 1993 and so has been given extensive student testing and development. The 2006 version 8 includes many more chemistry games and 3D activities Who uses it?Insitutions use the software, in such diverse places as the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. What is the general format?The program is a stand-alone application, you don't need to be connected to the Internet (although there is Internet capability). There are notes, computer generated interactive questions and exam questions. There are also many simulations of equipment and of chemical processes. There is also a section on organic chemistry that contains notes, interactive sections, simulations questions and nomenclature problems. There are chemistry based games, demonstrations and activities. A key feature is the provision of model answers for the computer generated questions to help student reflection and analysis. And we shouldn't forget the jokes... What topics does it cover?The first elevator shows year 12 topics, there also is a second elevator that includes more analytical and industrial applications. Some of the topics lead on to other sections that are not able to be shown. Also check the brochure. How can it be used in class teaching?A topic should be introduced in outline form at the beginning of a class. If an overhead projector is available then it should also be discussed while students follow the notes on their own computers. Students may edit the notes to suit themselves. Students then print the notes and continue for the remainder of the class undertaking the interactive questions, simulations or other activites. List these requirements on the board and just go round and help - it's teaching the way it should be! How easy is it for students to operate?Very easy, most students need no help. Even students who have not used a computer before are usually up and learning within 10 minutes. No special computer installation or set-up is necessary, just insert the CD and start. What input have students had on the program?This has been a development that puts students first. The format, features and use were determined by a action research project as part of a Masters' thesis. The software environment has been the subect of a number of papers in international journals. Chemistry in the past has sometimes not found favour with female students and their feedback has resulted in the software contributing to a non-threatening secure learning environment. Can the software be user modified?All the text notes on the whiteboard can be modified on screen, even over a network, and printed. They can be permanently modified in an unlocked version. The notes are relatively brief and to the point to prevent paper wastage. The text can be enlarged using the controls for use by the teacher on a classroom projector or to benefit students with visual impairment. Examination questions can be added and altered. A multiple choice template is included so that teachers can add their own questions or construct tests, the results can then be recorded or direct mailed. Facilities are included so that other developers can add topics and modules. What records can be kept?Provided the user has write privileges to a disk, then marks for most activities can be recorded along with names, dates and times. What type of computers are required?IBM compatible with Windows NT, 2000 and XP as well as Macintosh OSX. (The same CD can be used on either Windows or Macintosh) How does it play over a network?Although there can be no guarantees as individual networks will be set up in particular ways, there should be few network problems. One example has it residing on an NT server, where it can be accessed by both PC and Macintosh at the same time. Any working network is likely to be satisfactory but Ethernet is preferred. The inital loading and digital video will longer using a network but most other parts work fairly quickly. 32MB computers will likely be needed over a network. Slow networks will mean the software may take a while to load. Once loaded, it should work fine. What ongoing committment is there to development?This interactive multimedia chemistry software is written by a practising chemistry educator and will continue to be developed as it has been over the past ten years, it is always updated and developed with new ideas. (Version history) Some older chemistry publications as an indication of our research involvement in chemistry education may be of interest to people with time on their hands. Lately most time is spent on software development. What if the software is not suitable for our situation?No problem, simply return the software and the invoice. If you have a no-obligation inspection copy, then you need the Internet to validate the software each time it is used. How much does it cost?The cost of US$295-00 for a single CD provides an unlimited users site licence. The price includes postage and packaging to anywhere in the world - delivery to most places typically takes 7-8 working days. The CD is mailed in a standard envelope to speed delivery and reduce environmental packaging waste. Each copy is the most recent available and individually personalised before pressing to protect your investment. Nobody will ever be able to pirate your copy without it being instantly recognisable. Email a request for an inspection copy
to john@polychem.org, No-obligation, nothing to return if you decide not to purchase. Is there any risk of losing our money?No. Institutions only pay on receipt and approval of the software. How do I purchase?If you work at an educational institution simply email john@polychem.org Remember to give the name and address of your institution. A CD will be sent for inspection. This inspection copy requires the Internet for operation and comes without documentation and packaging. This copy will only be guaranteed to be valid for 30 days after receipt. During this time it is suggested you trial the software in a classroom - check the readMe file on the CD for a suggested methodology. If you are happy with the software, get your administration to mail a check. On receipt of payment, the software will be unlocked so as not to require internet approval, with documentation and packaging sent. Institutions from all English speaking countries can forward a cheque from their own account in their own currency equivalent to US$295 on receipt of the invoice. European countries can pay by Euro. Back to the introduction or on to some example screens |
