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1995-01-24
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5KB
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94 lines
BESTCHOICE
Sheila Woodgate, Scott Woodgate and Terry Mitchell
Are you frustrated with computer-assisted learning packages that don't suit
your course, can't be modified and are difficult for students to use?
Consider using BestChoice to create your own computer-assisted learning
material. If you teach Chemistry, many prewritten files are already available.
1 What is BestChoice?
BestChoice is a graphics-based authoring program which uses text files as data.
It runs on MS-DOS computers with colour (EGA or VGA) and monochrome(EGA or
Hercules) graphics adaptors . Only 640 K of memory is required, and it is
acceptably fast even on an 8088 based machine.
2 What type of question files does BestChoice use?
BestChoice uses text files which are straightforward to create and modify.
Graphical characters like subscripts and superscripts not generally available
in text files can be displayed using a variety of fonts which are supplied
with the program. A very user friendly font designer is also supplied so
that new fonts can be created as desired.
3 The BestChoice interface is VERY easy for students to use
With BestChoice students forget they are using a computer and get on with
learning. Files containing questions are selected from pull-down menus that
appear on the cover page. Within the files, most options appear on buttons and
can be selected either using the keyboard or a mouse. Help and Quit buttons
are available with every question. Problem selector boxes allow students to
enter the question file at intermediate points. The GoTo command (<Ctrl>-G)
enables the student to go backward or forward to any question.
4 BestChoice allows effective presentation of subject material using
REVIEW PAGES
These can be used at any point in the file for summarizing, reinforcing old
material or introducing new material.
WINDOWS CONTAINING RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOVE THE TEXT
Windows containing text, graphics generated using text characters or a
diagram created using a commercial drawing program can occupy the top half
of the screen. The window can be changed with sequential questions.
Hence, problems can be solved in a slow step-wise fashion with answers to
previous questions be stored in the window above the new question.
5 Several types of questions are available
Questions can be created in formats outlined below. A file may contain
questions in any or all of these formats, and there is no limit to the number
of questions per file. A hint option is available with all question styles.
Statistics tell the student how many questions have been answered correctly
without a hint being taken.
ONE-LINE MULTICHOICE WITH OR WITHOUT A WINDOW ABOVE
Feedback for both right and wrong answers allow the instructor to
emphasize particular points. Boxes with scrollbars are used to display
feedback longer than 70 characters.
TEXT ENTER AND SHORT ANSWER WITH OR WITHOUT A WINDOW ABOVE
For one-line questions requiring the typing of the answer, a "text enter"
box option can be used. Short choices such as True and False can be
displayed directly on the buttons.
MULTICHOICE REQUIRING MORE THAN ONE LINE
This option allows display of mathematical expressions or chemical
structures as the question and four choices may occupy five lines each.
5 Where can I get BestChoice and how many does it cost?
BestChoice is available from Dr. Sheila Woodgate, Chemistry Department,
University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
A Site licence for the BestChoice package with documentation and all question
files shown on the menus in the demonstration costs $US500.
A BestChoice package for secondary schools is also available.
Enquiries concerning orders may be emailed to scottw@chenov1.aukuni.ac.nz.
6 Why is this package better than other computer-assisted packages used
for teaching Chemistry?
Dr Woodgate has many years of experience teaching at first year University
level. Over the several years during which she has been writing question
files for BestChoice, she has developed a variety of techniques for presenting
interesting drill exercises as well as teaching problem solving.
However, no teacher is ever completely happy with another teacher's methods.
This is the real beauty of the BestChoice package: you are not stuck using
exactly the material supplied. The teacher can pick and chose the subject
matter relevant to their course and create their own text-based menu file or
indeed edit and or augment the question files themselves using a text editor.