ERIC Number: EJ883537
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1756-1108
EISSN: N/A
Visualization and Interactivity in the Teaching of Chemistry to Science and Non-Science Students
Venkataraman, Bhawani
Chemistry Education Research and Practice, v10 n1 p62-69 2009
A series of interactive, instructional units have been developed that integrate computational molecular modelling and visualization to teach fundamental chemistry concepts and the relationship between the molecular and macro-scales. The units span the scale from atoms, small molecules to macromolecular systems, and introduce many of the concepts discussed in a first year undergraduate class, such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, the molecular nature of physical properties and structure-function relations in macromolecular systems. The units were used in an introductory level chemistry course for non-science majors and students interested in non-traditional science careers. Assessment of these units indicated that the students are successfully learning fundamental concepts, value the computer-based learning aids, and begin to develop mental models of the molecular scale. (Contains 2 notes, 11 tables, and 3 figures.)
Descriptors: Majors (Students), Scientific Concepts, Visualization, Chemistry, Science Instruction, Molecular Structure, College Science, Nonmajors, Introductory Courses, Computer Assisted Instruction, Student Attitudes, Concept Formation
Royal Society of Chemistry. Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK. Tel: +44-1223 420066; Fax: +44-1223 423623; e-mail: cerp@rsc.org; Web site: http://www.rsc.org/cerp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A