VISIONS OF REVISION

There seems to be a growing interest in serious revision software. The Vision Software packages reviewed in Issue 39 are attracting plenty of interest, according to the distributors, Disney. So far, the following subjects have been covered by Vision; biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, French, German, geography, history and information processing. These broad subject areas are divided into units which retail at different prices. Prices for the units reviewed this month are given below, but a full catalogue and order form can be obtained from Disney Ltd, 6 Pilkington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1LA.

Each of the 29 units uses a single program with the screen and user interaction being driven via individual data sets developed for each unit and subject. The software is intended to be used as a flexible resource - for example, as a library facility for students to work on modules of their own choice, or as an activity for small groups under the guidance of a teacher.

Many different presentation techniques have been used in each unit to provide variety and to enable a very wide range of material to be displayed, explained and answered, with different levels of difficulty.

A particularly useful feature is that each question set is given an A to C grading in the user guide (A is the most difficult). Each subject is covered in some depth and all the units are suitable for students taking CSE, GCE. 16 + and GCSE courses, as well as providing a revision aid for study after leaving school.

The Vision Software programs don't use graphics, nor do they make much use of colour, but they are very good as serious study aids to be used as reinforcement for specific coursework.

UNIT TWO - SOFTWARE AND BUSINESS SYSTEMS

Producer: Vision Software
Retail Price: £10.95

Following on from Unit One, Hardware And Techniques, this package aims to introduce the student to the topics of text-management, business-support systems and data/information systems, including word processing. Complete with quizzes, the package also deals with issues such as security of information, privacy and the social implications of exploiting this technology.