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SUPPORT:FAQFrequently Asked Questions:
Can I play the General Chemistry DVD-ROM on a home-movie DVD player? No. You must have a PC or a Macintosh computer with a DVD-ROM player. The General Chemistry DVD-ROM is available in both PC and Mac versions. Do I need Internet access to use this program? No. It is entirely self-contained. Is there a site-license available for multiple users? No. The massive amount of material contained on the DVD-ROM precludes any possible broadband application of the program. It requires each user to have his/her own disk, and for that disk to be in the computer while the program is running. Do I need to register my copy of the General Chemistry DVD-ROM before using it? No, but on the first use of your Geneneral Chemistry DVD-ROM, you will be asked to enter the drive letter of your computer’s DVD-ROM. Does the General Chemistry DVD-ROM cover both semesters of "traditional" Freshman Chemistry? Yes, the DVD-ROM covers all the traditional topics in 22 Chapters. Do I need any special programs to use the General Chemistry DVD-ROM? To get the full benefit of the lecture notes in pdf format, you will need to have a current Adobe Reader® (preferably 7.0 or higher). For PC computers, Windows Media Player® (preferably 10.0 or higher). For Mac versions, QuickTime® movie player. These programs can be downloaded free of charge from the internet (see Minimum System Requirements for the PC and for the MAC) Must I complete all interactive parts to allow the program to continue? No. You can use the navigational controls to skip any segment of the program. Can I go back and easily replay sections just viewed? Yes. The arrows allow you to move forward or backward at any point. Do I have to listen to the audio voice part of the DVD-ROM? No. One can mute the sound portion and continue with a text-only viewing. Is there a Table of Contents that one can use to go directly to specific topics? Yes, a chapter-by-chapter listing containing detailed subtopics is linked to each section, so that one can go directly to any part of any chapter. Yes. The "Index" will link you directly to the section that covers the material in question. The "Index" button is located on every chapter Menu Page. Yes. A "Glossary" is included and can be accessed at any time. Can one review the material on the DVD-ROM without doing the interactive parts? Yes. You can view all of the non-interactive text, for every chapter, by using the “Notes” button available on every screen. Does the computer keep a record of responses to interactive questions for grading purpose? No. The interactive sections provide you two opportunities to answer any given question and indicate correct or incorrect answers. They are not meant as a testing or grading tool. Are there problem sets, like in a traditional text? Yes. Timed, multiple-choice problems are included for twenty chapters. A step-to-step solution is given for each problem. Can I have more than one screen open at a time? Yes. All pop-up windows can be opened while viewing the basic text. These include Notes, Glossary, Tables, Calculator, Scratch Pad, Index, Formulas, and Solutions for the Problem Sets. Obviously, as in all computer applications, keep the minimum number of windows opened at a given time to optimize computer performance. Can I use the General Chemistry DVD-ROM on different computers? Yes. The program can be used in any computer as long as the DVD-ROM in that computer’s DVD-ROM drive. Note however that this program is platform specific and that we offer different DVD-ROM's for PC's and for Mac's. Can I have other programs running while using the General Chemistry DVD-ROM? Yes, but depending on your computer's RAM size, you may need to close other programs. On PC's, other programs can be accessed using the "windows" key on your keyboard. Does the DVD replace a textbook? It is fully capable of replacing a textbook! It covers, in detail, all the topics normally discussed in two semesters of Freshman Chemistry. There are more than 1000 hours of potential usage time with the General Chemistry DVD-ROM. We expect the instructor to selectively pick and choose those sections of the DVD-ROM that align with their respective syllabus. Please view the “Table of Contents” for a detailed list of all topics covered. Why do students prefer the General Chemistry DVD over a textbook? Surveys have shown that about 70% of the students who use the DVD-ROM prefer this format to the traditional Textbook. They simply find it a more interesting format because of its interactive nature. The DVD-ROM teaches for a few minutes, and then asks the student to solve a problem interactively. Students are constantly assessing what they have, or have not learned from the text. This "instant gratification" seems to allow students to more accurately determine what they do, and do not know. It is also less intimidating than an instructor or a teaching assistant. How does using the DVD-ROM affect my lectures? The purpose of the DVD-ROM is to allow the student to enter each class better prepared to understand the material the instructor will be covering. Whatever method you use should stay the same. The assumption is that students have read the book, or will read the book, to supplement and strengthen their understanding of the material. The DVD-ROM does this as well, or better. This allows you to tailor your time to cover more troublesome concepts. The student's willingness to spend more time with the DVD-ROM translates in their being better prepared. Does the General Chemistry DVD-ROM have a homework component? No. While the DVD-ROM is highly interactive, and requires the student to answer a large number of questions, it does not communicate the student responses to the instructor. Sections called Multiple Choice Problems at the end of most chapters, include detailed, step-by-step solutions and are meant as learning tools, not as course "tests" or "quizzes". How do I use the General Chemistry DVD-ROM in my lectures? The DVD-ROM has videos and 3-D motion graphics that will enhance your ability to present concepts that are best understood when visualized. Just in the same way as you use lecture demonstrations, or models to present material, you can use the DVD-ROM’s visual presentations in class. Does the DVD-ROM replace the instructor? No. While the DVD-ROM is complete in a tutorial style, it is not intended to replace the traditional classroom lecture. Many students learn better simply from hearing the material. The DVD-ROM adds this dimension to the material they are studying at home. The DVD-ROM should be a great supplement to both the student and the instructor. How do I use the DVD-ROM to prepare my courses? While we would love to see every instructor view all the material present on the DVD-ROM, we understand the practical aspect of lecture preparation. We have provided access to "Notes" on the DVD-ROM for two reasons. First, the instructor can easily view what the DVD-ROM is presenting to his students. These notes are the actual text portion, minus the interactive sections. Along with being easily read, they can be printed, searched, and used to produce overheads. The second reason is so students can make hard copies to take with them to study, especially when not having access to their computers. Is the General Chemistry DVD-ROM a user friendler program to learn/use? The learning curve for mastering the use of the DVD-ROM is minimal. Most functions and navigational tools are self-explanatory and intuitive. One can move quickly from one learning tool of the DVD-ROM to another. One can have several components of the program open at the same time. (i.e. Notes, Glossary, Formulas, etc...). Will the instructor benefit from using the General Chemistry DVD-ROM? Definitely! In many ways it will potentially decrease the load on an instructor. First, students seem to spend more time with the DVD-ROM (versus a textbook), and come to class better prepared. Second, the interactive parts coupled with the ease of review of the material bestow more confidence and fewer basic questions during your lecture time. Third, should a student need help, you can refer them to sections of the DVD-ROM covering the topics, and let them get both the tutorial help as well as the interactive questioning. Fourth, the graphical and video presentations help students understand the more complex or confusing abstract concepts. |
General Chemistry DVD-ROM
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