InterChemNet: Integrating Instrumentation, Management, and Assessment in the General Chemistry Laboratory Course
Barbara Stewart, Robert Kirk, David LaBrecque, François G. Amar, and Mitchell R. M. Bruce
Department of Chemistry, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5706
InterChemNet (ICN) is a Web-based management program designed to foster active learning in the laboratory. The system allows students choices of discovery-based experiments, a host of background information, and quick and easy access to UV–visible and FTIR spectrometers. The system creates individualized pathways for students by allowing instructors to present a hierarchy of lab choices and assignments in a given week. An evaluation module is integrated into the system to provide immediate feedback for students and evaluation data for instructors. Because assessment is integrated with curriculum delivery, ICN facilitates the introduction of chemical education research into existing courses based on local curricular goals. By making it easy for instructors to analyze learning outcomes for the course, ICN can be used to promote a systematic and evidence-based curriculum development cycle.
More Information
Citation
Stewart, Barbara; Kirk, Robert; LaBrecque, David; Amar, François G.; Bruce, Mitchell R. M. J. Chem. Educ.2006 83 494.
Keywords
Chemical Education Research; Curriculum; Internet / Web-Based Learning; Laboratory Instruction; Student-Centered Learning; Testing / Assessment; UV-Vis Spectroscopy
The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.
Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students.
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.