Physics CD: General Physics
Reviewer: Paula L. Setters
Science Department Chair
Physics Instructor
LaRue County High School
Hodgenville, KY 42748
psetters@larue.k12.ky.us
Physics CD: General Physics v 3.00 by MCH Multimedia Inc., 1998
Montreal, Quebec Canada
(514)9397418
http://www.mcgill.ca/multimedia/
EMail: mchmultimedia@iname.com
CD-ROM for Windows and Macs
Reviewed Fall 98 using Windows 95.
Computer is a Pentium processor with 24 meg of RAM and a 24X CD-Rom.
Cost $35.95 U.S. plus postage & handling.
Rating: 9 on a scale of 1 to 10, Way Cool.
This software is designed as an electronic textbook for general physics and fulfills its purpose well. The program is easy to navigate through, enabling the user to access different topics and features at will. If the user accesses a topic that requires study of one or more other topics first, he/she is notified at the beginning of the section. A review of general science principles does well at explaining the difference between science and non-science. The math review contains several interactive sections for the student to practice the concept being reviewed. A quiz at the end of the vector review provides immediate feedback of the correct answers. There is also a glossary of unfamiliar terms.
The program provides audio instruction as well as text, diagrams, and animations. The user can choose to turn the audio off, but this reviewer advises against doing so. The audio instruction is not just a reading of the visible text, but rather additional information and clarification of the topic.
There are several diagrams and animations provided to help illustrate the topics. Some of these are interactive, requiring the user to apply the new principles being introduced and thus reinforcing understanding.
Typically difficult topics such as vectors and relativity are handled well. The program's combination of text, audio, diagrams and animations is especially helpful in making these topics more understandable. There are a few spelling and grammatical errors in the copy of the program that was reviewed. These are inconsequential since they do not affect the user's understanding of the physics, but should be corrected in newer versions of the program.
Students with mild learning disorders could probably use this software without much difficulty. Those who have trouble reading would benefit from the audio portion, but should realize there are sections where there is no audio to explain the text presented.
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