This primer is based on version 4 of the instructor’s edition of the AP chemistry version of Odyssey. The major
difference between the instructor versus student edition of the software is that the former has the capacity to
develop (i.e. either customize or build from the ground-up) Odyssey-based simulations, which can be used as
either a classroom demonstration or class work assignment. Another difference between the instructor versus
student edition is that the later does not have the answer to the questions in various Molecular Lab activities.
The below screenshot
is the opening user interface of the software. The drop-down menu is above the tool bar and the section in the
lower right has 6 links
Prelabs
Molecular Labs
Applied chemistry
Molecular Stockroom
Customizing labs
Authoring New Labs
leading to various features in the software. Navigation in the software is similar to navigating on a webpage,
where one uses the mouse to click on various links to access new content or features.
Selecting the Customizing Labs or Authoring New Labs link will open a new page containing information on
these features of the software. Customizing Labs will let the user customize or modify pre-existing Molecular
Labs, while Authoring New Labs will let the user develop new Odyssey simulations / modules.
Both the Molecular Stockroom and Applied chemistry links lead to a page with links to access the structure
(usually as a ball & stick model) of various chemicals. The Molecular Stockroom is organized by classifying
chemicals as elements, inorganic, organic, and mixtures. The Applied chemistry page is organized by
classifying chemicals into 16 categories, e.g. industrial chemistry, biology, household, and environmental
chemistry. Chemicals in either the Applied chemistry section or Molecular Stockroom can be accessed in the
Authoring New Lab mode, so the user does not have to “build” a molecule.
The prelab section is divided into two subsections – general operation of the program and examples of building
new models, which can be used as a tutorial on using various features of the software.
The last section, molecular labs, in my opinion is the “heart” of the software, which contains 172 modules,
which can be used as a stand alone class work assignment or modified to suit the instructor’s goals or used as a
demonstration / illustration of various chemistry concepts during a class presentation / lecture.
In addition to using the mouse to click (use the left mouse button) on various items in the drop-down menu, tool
bar, or various links, the mouse can be used in a specific simulation to (i) change the size of the image by
rotating the mouse wheel, (ii) move the entire image by holding down the right mouse button while moving the
mouse, and (iii) rotate the image by holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse. Occasional
features can be accessed by clicking on the right mouse button, e.g. to view only a small section of a simulation
by accessing the clipping center option.