Molecular Workbench vs Pivot Interactives

Molecular Workbench is a free modeling tool for designing and conducting computational experiments across science. Its interactive learning environment supports science inquiry, while its authoring system lets instructional designers create and publish curriculum based on models and simulations. Users can customize simulations or create their own, with topics spanning gas laws, fluid mechanics, states of matter, chemical reactions, genetics, protein synthesis, and quantum phenomena. Activities can include assessments, student-data collection, learning monitoring, and teacher feedback. Simulations can also be embedded in blogs, wikis, or web pages. The Next-Generation Molecular Workbench brings computational experiments to browsers using HTML5. An offline version is available, but it cannot access the latest simulations or collect student data. Downloads are listed for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, and require Java Runtime Environment 1.5 or later. The maker says the software needs considerable computing power and may start slowly while the Java virtual machine launches. Molecular Workbench is developed and maintained by the Concord Consortium.

Pivot Interactives is a web platform for science teaching built around interactive video activities and active learning. Its library has more than 550 activities across biology, earth and space science, chemistry, environmental science, and physics. Students explore phenomena, adjust physical parameters, and investigate data through experimental design. Teachers can create classes, invite students, assign experiments, customize activities, and grade student work. Co-Lab lets students work together on assignments; the platform also provides frequent feedback and auto-grading. Pivot is presented for grades 6–12 and higher education. It supports LTI 1.3 integrations with learning management systems including Canvas, Schoology, Google Classroom, Moodle, Blackboard, and D2L Brightspace. The 30-day free trial provides instructors and students full feature access, including classes, LMS connections, activity editing, assignments, and grading. The Classroom plan costs $6.10 per seat per year. Semester options for institutions, students, and bookstore course codes each cost $11.10 per seat per semester. The platform requires a stable high-speed internet connection and does not support offline use of images, videos, or questions.