What a fun program to review - and what a pleasure it is to see so much effort going into a educational program. Everything about it is easy and fun to use, but there are no educational corners cut anywhere - this is a powerful chemistry tool for high school students, especially those just starting their chemistry studies:
The program consists of 5 challenges, covering different areas of basic chemisty instruction associated with the periodic table and naming compounds. But the program also has an instructional "naming" section (bottom right of main window above) that offers complete explanations for how students can get the naming of compounds correct:
The five challenges start with the "Scribe's challenge" which helps students become more familiar with the elements of the periodic table.
When you are complete, you get immediate feedback:
Ok, Ok... so I got four wrong! If you want to try again, go ahead - the program is also keeping track of your high scores! If you wish to change the nature of questions, of adjust the time limit (or remove it), you can - the program is highly customizable for all of the challenges:
What are the other challenges? The Apprentice challenge presents you with the task of naming compounds, the Journeyman quizzes you on electron configurations, for the Apothecary, you will have to be able to balance equations, and the Alchemist presents you with all sorts of multiple choice questions:
As you can see, this Alchemist's Challenge is loaded with features and quiz types. As a chemistry instructor, I have long searched for economical study tools for my chem students but have not been able to find anything. Imagine my surprize to find this $15 gem, absolutely packed with chemistry practice potential.
Every Mac-using chemistry class needs to acquire the Alchemist's Challenge - it is as simple as that! You students will reap tremendous benefit from this outstanding chemistry practice tool.
Well done, Synergy!
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