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 ONE - NATURE OF MATTER

Producer: Vision Software
Retail Price: £11.40

Vision has four packages covering the chemistry syllabus. The first one, entitled Nature Of Matter, starts off by quizzing the user on his knowledge of apparatus. A definition appears on the screen - for example, 'needed for some purity tests' - and two clues are provided if wrong answers are given. This section also includes tests on separation techniques.

The course then proceeds to deal with atomic structure, particles, the periodic table and electronic configuration, acids and bases, salt preparation and identification, pH values and ion tests, and reactions. There is also a guide to accompany the package with tables of chemical data.

The other three packages in the chemistry series cover energy and reaction equilibria; nonmetals, air, and water; and metals and carbon.

Though Vision markets these packages as being for the 11-to-16 age range, the science units are more suitable for older pupils taking GCSE and 16+ courses - there are only a few topics in the chemistry units with the easy C grading.