The UKESCC courseware currently comprises a suite of 21 computer-aided learning modules covering a range of Earth Science subjects. The courseware is available for both PC (Windows) and Macintosh computers in both web and application versions.
The non-web version requires no additional software and can either be run directly from the CD-ROM on which it is supplied, or installed on individual computer hard disks or file servers. The web version is intended for use over an intranet and requires a browser with an Authorware web player plug-in (available free from the Macromedia's web site).
The courseware can be used in different ways. At one extreme, you can work systematically through a single module from beginning to end. The courseware has been designed for this mode of working, with questions at intervals, and assessment tests so you can test your understanding of the material.
At the other extreme, if you want to learn about a specific topic, or seek specific information, you can use indexes to find out which modules contain the information. Then click on index entries to go directly to the pages containing the information, without having to work through modules from the beginning. Two types of index are provided; subject indexes for individual modules and a global index to all the modules. The indexes are accessible from all parts of the courseware.
Many tutors now produce web pages with links to selected teaching material for students taking their courses. Tutors can use the web version of the UKESCC courseware, and index entries, to provide links in their web pages to individual pages of the UKESCC courseware.