Discovery

BURSARY STUDYBUDDY FOR BIOLOGY-INTERACTIVE REVISION AND LEARNING SYSTEM FOR THE NEW ZEALAND CURRICULUM, 1999 version; Produced by Stemax Ltd.; $89.95 (1 subject access)

Reviewed by Judith Sidaway

Stemax Limited produces and supports CD-Roms to help students with their studies in junior maths, School Certificate and Bursary (Year 12 and 13). Next year subjects can be added as required and up to four subjects can be selected on each of the last two CD-Roms. Network versions of these revision systems are obtainable from Stemax.

Having received a CD-Rom and an access number to Year 13 Biology, I was keen get started when a colleague from another science area said, "StudyBuddy! We've looked it --  you may as well buy the book".

The electronic Write-on Notes is a replica of the print version although you can't "write" anything on it -- a notepad has to be called up for this. The text can be linked to the revision questions and tests which are skilfully designed to exploit the electronic medium.

The emphasis is on subject content and problem solving. There is no guidance for learning strategies, writing an essay on contemporary issues or exam technique. Our biology students who are a computer-literate bunch are lukewarm about StudyBuddy and say that they prefer to solve problems and to make their study notes on paper.

Some very good print and electronic resources with up-to-date material, activities or Bursary questions in them are accessible to Year 13 Biology students. In its present form, the StudyBuddy for biology isn't competitive although it certainly has exciting potential.

Judith Sidaway teaches biology at Riccarton High School in Christchurch