The student may view the top 15 scores or the histogram of all scores to date. The representation of the groups in the periodic table may be changed, American, European or UIPAC. The student may choose among several (up to 7) sets of formulas/names provided by the instructor. There is a tutorial. There is also an interactive periodic table, showing the properties that are used in the feedback; use of this during a game cancels the game.
Scoring
The game score is out of 100. In the Nomenclature Game, ten formulas, maximum score 10 each, make a game. In the Formula Game it’s five formulas, maximum score 20 each.
Performance
A small element of luck makes the game interesting. The proportion of luck can be inferred from a summary of scores of the Formula Game played by professional chemists. They typically need, on average, about three wrong guesses to extract enough information from the feedback to find a compound. This results in average scores in the mid-eighties, with standard deviation of about three or four. Scores in the low nineties are exceptional, and there has never been a perfect score.
The performance of students in introductory university courses follows a learning curve and eventually approaches that of professional chemists. On first meeting the game, students tend to guess at random. As they discover how useful the feedback is, they learn to use it, and their scores improve dramatically.
Students reach the game via Batch file GAME.BAT. Two other batch files are for instructor use, and should be kept away from students.
EDGAME.BAT, which is protected by a password, allows the instructor to view and/or reset the 15 top scores and the histogram of all the scores since the last resetting. The instructor may also set the default group naming convention. For each game, the instructor may establish up to seven lists, of varying subject matter or difficulty, and enter the names and formulas to be used in each. Each Nomenclature Game list has ten blocks of 32 names and formulas; each Formula Game list has five blocks of 64 formulas. The instructor also sets the default list.
BLANK.BAT, which should be installed only when it is to be used, allows the instructor to blank and reset the password for EDGAME.BAT. Very useful in case one forgets it.
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Updated July 18, 2000