Those packages aren't really free: if you want a publisher's software you have to adopt that publisher's textbook. More important, few such free packages have been classroom tested or designed to track student progress. Many such packages are designed by programmers rather than instructors, and too often sacrifice educational objectives to fancy graphics.
Is your software user-friendly?Extremely -- and for you as well as for your students. You won't have to redesign your course, but the software will give you opportunities for as much stimulating class discussion as you care to have.
Will my students spend more time learning about computers than about psychology or sociology?Absolutely not. Experience with thousands of students has enabled us to make our software virtually goof-proof. The disk requires essentially no oversight from you or from computer center personnel - students can do it on their own.
What about the cost to my students?We're very sensitive to the problem of high prices for textbooks and supplements. That's why our student packages cost less than an ordinary workbook. And there's no cost at all to your department or your computer center.
Will I have to redesign my course?No. The programs are designed to work with any text. Simply add the software to your existing course and let students do the programs as independent work. The Progress Report makes assigning credit a snap. And it's a great alternative to the traditional term paper.
How about using the programs as presentation software?We have good reason not to authorize use of any of our programs as presentation software. Such use allows interaction between the program and the instructor but not between the program and the student, and therefore undercuts the purpose for which we designed the software. No matter how much lectures are enriched by presentation software, multimedia displays or other devices, students can be absent not just by missing class but also by doodling or dozing off or being distracted. We urge instructors to let their students be the ones who interact with the software.
What are the system requirements?Psychology on a Disk requires Window 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista. Students will need access to a printer to print their Progress Reports.
For shared computers, such as in a library or computer lab, students will need a place to store their progress information. This can be a personal folder on a shared or network drive, a USB (flash) drive, a diskette, or other removable, rewritable media.
And now that you mention it, what about networking?No problem. You are encouraged to install Psychology on a Disk for student use via campus networks, library networks, or computer labs. Your IT department can assist with this; information about network installation is here.
Please note, however, that each student must still purchase a valid license from your bookstore before using the networked installation of the program.
What resources does CMS make available to adopters?The Adopter Package includes an Instructor Manual. We normally send the Adopter Package to bookstores and ask them to forward the material to you. If you adopt our software but don't receive an Adopter Package, please call or write and we'll send it to you directly. If you'd find it convenient to have an electronic version of the Instructor Manual, please send an email request from your campus address, including in your message your full academic affiliation and address and the title of the course in which the software will be used.
How do I order the software?Order Psychology on a Disk just as you would any other course materials, through your bookstore. The information they will need can be found here.
If you are a first-time adopter, ask the bookstore to request a free copy of the Intructor Manual.