I am a student, and I made this account solely to beg anyone considering using this tool to not do so. I’ve used it for two semesters now, and here are the major problems with it that make it virtually unusable
1) Despite being a chemistry teaching tool, the function to draw lewis structures, molecules, etc, is incredibly difficult to use. To the point where I get questions wrong even when I know the answer, because I just can’t figure out how to draw it in the window. Not user-friendly at all, and here’s a tip for the developers: if your drawing tutorial is 20 pages long, YOU’VE DONE IT WRONG
2) When you get questions wrong, it’s supposed to give you a hint. These hints are not helpful, and usually have nothing to do with what you actually messed up. They seem to be generalized, targeting what they probably think are the most common mistakes. If you haven’t made one of those, but it’s still wrong, you’re basically out of luck. Not a learning experience at all
3) IT’S SO EXPENSIVE?? For what? I’d understand if it was good software and a good tool, but it really really isn’t.
In conclusion, I’m continually mystified as to why this tool is pushed by my professors. I can only conclude my university has cut some kind of deal with Sapling, because there’s no actually good reason to buy it unless you enjoy throwing $75 away every time you need an access code
I am a student, and I made this account solely to beg anyone considering using this tool to not do so. I’ve used it for two semesters now, and here are the major problems with it that make it virtually unusable
1) Despite being a chemistry teaching tool, the function to draw lewis structures, molecules, etc, is incredibly difficult to use. To the point where I get questions wrong even when I know the answer, because I just can’t figure out how to draw it in the window. Not user-friendly at all, and here’s a tip for the developers: if your drawing tutorial is 20 pages long, YOU’VE DONE IT WRONG
2) When you get questions wrong, it’s supposed to give you a hint. These hints are not helpful, and usually have nothing to do with what you actually messed up. They seem to be generalized, targeting what they probably think are the most common mistakes. If you haven’t made one of those, but it’s still wrong, you’re basically out of luck. Not a learning experience at all
3) IT’S SO EXPENSIVE?? For what? I’d understand if it was good software and a good tool, but it really really isn’t.
In conclusion, I’m continually mystified as to why this tool is pushed by my professors. I can only conclude my university has cut some kind of deal with Sapling, because there’s no actually good reason to buy it unless you enjoy throwing $75 away every time you need an access code