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Britannica A Level: Biology (PC)

Idigicon
Success Builder A Level Biology

Mindscape
DK A Level Biology 2006/2007 (PC)

Avanquest Software
A-Level Biology

Aircom
The Times A Level Biology 2003/2004 Syllabus (Full National Curriculum)

The Times
A Level Revision: Biology

Europress

This CD-ROM, designed for use within Windows 95 or 98 on a PC, endeavours to form the basis of revision notes for the A level Biology course. It is not intended as a substitute in any way for initial study or reference. The material reviews all the major topics required within A level biology, and organises it into many individual on-screen pages, summarised for ready recall. Many of these pages are colourfully illustrated to provide extra clarity, and all are printable. Though there is no real interaction, these notes and diagrams are well presented and can be of significant help in revision--for example by identifying key topics for deeper revision. Aside from rather slow opening and closing at the beginning of a session (showing production credits), there has been considerable effort to keep the material compact, fast and easy to access as well as clear, enjoyable and eye-catching in its design. Several questions, selected from past A level examinations, along with full answers (and scoring details) are included so that the student can gauge revision progress. Screens, which include some well-designed "cribs" (short, useful summaries presented in a visually easy to remember format) can usually be printed. This will prove to be a useful tool as part of a purposeful revision programme, but nobody should allow themselves to think that it can replace diligence and intelligent planning. No part of the information on the CD is installed on the PC's hard disk.--Wilf Hey
A Level Biology

Europress
The Times Education Series A Level Biology

The Times

Suitable for AS and A2 level students, The Times Education Series A Level Biology is an interactive CD-ROM prepared by biology teachers and university lecturers which supports the National Core for Biology at an Advanced level.
The program's divided into eight chapters and covers molecular biology, cell ultrastructure, the "genetic code", variation and inheritance, energy and living organisms, transport systems (i.e., the body's "plumbing") homeostasis, and ecology and ecosystems. As each chapter appears on the screen, it's also read out aloud--a technique which can help keep wayward minds focussed on the task in hand. Chapters are divided into different sub-headings (the energy chapter for example, contains sub-sections covering adenosine triphosphate, photosynthesis and respiration) and each includes a button underneath the main screen which will take you to quick questions, designed to give students the chance to brush up on what they've just learned, and 'Exam questions' which mimic the more formal style of question you're likely to find at the end of the course. (Those who just love a test can jump straight to both sets of questions from the main menu as well).
As you work through the chapters you'll find plenty of tables and diagrams to support the text--on occasions there are also some natty 3-D animations (for example, explaining how semi-lunar valves prevent blood from re-entering the heart once it's been forced out into the arteries)--but really, given the subject matter, it would have been good to see more.
Like other programs in the series, the uncluttered interface is easy to understand; you can skip through chapters using the tabs at the top of each screen or use the buttons beneath to jump to the beginning or end of a chapter, and chapters can also be printed out. Finally, by clicking on the Information button on the main screen you can get printable summaries of both the AS and A2 Level Biology courses.
In terms of content, this is an excellent and supportive study aid though it's hard to understand why more multimedia elements weren't included.--Rob Beattie
A-Level Biology 2001/2002

Dorling Kindersley Ltd

The Biology CD from the Dorling Kindersley A-level revision series is designed to run on a Windows (NT5, 95 or 98, or 2000) platform on a PC with at least Pentium 75MHz speed, or on a Macintosh with System 7.6.1 or later. It provides the user with the ability to tailor revision for particular tiers of Biology study within the A-level framework (including differences for Scotland and Ireland), and distinguishes between the curriculum for 2001 and 2002. The content presentation is straightforward and linked visually. For example key biological facts--little lessons in themselves--can be pulled from a virtual filing system. These can be printed for off-line study or convenience.
You can create an exam by selecting the proportion of questions in various areas, so that revision can be concentrated on particularly troublesome or complicated area. Questions (and worked examples) feature sensible multiple choice answers--sometimes with multiple answers (identifying parts of an organism, for example--and give very clear explanations of the correct solution after you have answered. Quicktime 4 is required for driving multimedia components (printing, animation and sound for example), and this is available for installation from the same CD. --Wilf Hey
Oxford Revision Guide: A Level Biology

Mindscape
Times A Level Biology

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