Crocodile Clips
Simple Simulation Software
TEEM review of Crocodile Chemistry
Dr. Jan Walker writing for Teachers Evaluating Educational Multimedia
January 2003
Key Stage 4 Content Evaluation overview
This is a very interesting and stimulating program, which supports a number of topics in the Programmes of Study for Key Stage 3 Sc 3 and Key Stage 4 Sc 3 Science. This evaluation concentrates on its use with Key Stage 4 students.
The software provides a simulated laboratory where topics relating to The Periodic Table, chemical reactions and rates of reaction can be investigated. Although the program simulates a laboratory it provides learning experiences which could not be duplicated in the laboratory, for example students can perform dangerous chemical reactions safely.
Interactive activities give immediate feedback and can be printed out for revision purposes. There is no accompanying booklet containing support information or worksheets with this program. The teacher must practice with the program and become fully conversant with its capabilities and limitations before using it in a classroom. The information inside the CD-ROM case is limited to installation information. The user is referred to the help menu which can be accessed on the pull down menu bar. A brief outline of setting up simulations with interactive examples can be accessed by using the Quickstart on the file menu; this allows the students to begin using simulations straight away.
There are over 100 prewritten activities which can be accessed by clicking on the file menu and opening the Crocodile Clips folder, or the program may used as a real time laboratory using practical worksheets from other sources.
The program is suitable for individual, small group use and whole class use where an interactive whiteboard is available. Its particular advantages for the teacher is that students can work individually and at their own pace. The simulations could also be used in place of laboratory time; this is useful where equipment is not sufficient for individual use or conditions make experiments dangerous, for example the reaction of Group 1 metals with acids.
Key Stage 4 Classroom Evaluation summary
I teach Chemistry to three Year 11 groups - the top two sets and the bottom set. I decided to write a worksheet for them to use, which would form a revision lesson. I chose two very bright pupils from the top set and four average ability, but well motivated from the second set. There are usually only eight pupils in my bottom set and they work well together, so I decided to try it with them and let them go through the worksheet as a group.
I have a computer in my room linked to the network. Pupils worked on this during a 50-minute lesson.
I made the worksheet instructions detailed, so that the pupils could work independently. The worksheet directed pupils through four experiments, which they were to conduct on thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate, neutralisation of nitric acid and ammonia solution, reactions of metals with water and acids and rates of reaction using magnesium and hydrochloric acid.
The pairs of students were left to work independently with the worksheet. All six pupils managed to complete the worksheet with only a few calls for assistance. It took them the best part of the lesson to finish it. They had a set of headphones between them and took turns one using the mouse while the other read the instructions. Two likened it to Crocodile Clips, which they used in DT.
All enjoyed using it. It was a different way to learn. None had any problems using it.
The group of students similarly enjoyed using it. This group has major Literacy problems, but they had no difficulty matching the words on the worksheet to the screen and the icons were readily remembered. The next lesson, one pupil was telling another pupil, who had missed the previous lesson, with unusual enthusiasm about the last lesson when they had been doing experiments on the computer!!