Volume 3D Number 1

Volume 3D Number 1

In This Issue

VizQuiz
 
James A. McCormick
Project SERAPHIM, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
Robert D. Allendoerfer
SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214-3094
Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II
 
Frank Rioux
About This Issue

John W. Moore and Jon L. Holmes
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1396

Note:
This issue is out of print.

How to Use These Programs
The programs in this Series D issue are for Windows on IBM PC-compatible computers.
VizQuiz has been developed in order to extend multimedia to testing and homework in addition to lecture and computer room. An important rationale for its creation is that new methods of teaching require new methods of testing as well. If multimedia are a primary mode of instruction in lecture and computer room tutorials, then students should be asked questions via multimedia on homework and examinations.
VizQuiz has been designed to make it easy to use by anyone who wants to incorporate multimedia into testing. Quizzes or assignments can include text, graphics, computer animations, digitized still images, and motion video from either a videodisc or digital source. Students can move from question to question easily, need not answer questions in linear order, and, until a question is graded, can change answers. They can get hints before a question is graded, and see worked out solutions or explanations afterwards. Records can be kept automatically by VizQuiz and stored in a format that can be imported into a spreadsheet.
In the computer there can be many questions of a given type for each one that appears on a particular test. Non-traditional types of questions are also possible. For example, in a grouped binary question students can be asked to classify each of five acids as strong or weak; a corresponding multiple-choice question would probably ask them to pick the single strong acid from a list. In multiple-choice questions there can be more than five responses, and each can be given its own point value; partial credit can be given for partial understanding. Also, different remedial help messages can be keyed to each response. Partial credit can also be given for misspelled words and wrong numbers of significant figures.

Figure 1. Numbering of atoms for Huckel MO calculation on bucky ball.
VizQuiz is an effective quiz giver and homework checker at any level from pre-high school general science through advanced undergraduate work. Since quizzes are written by a teacher, they can be tailored to that teacher's style and the content that has been covered. The program has purposely been made flexible to accommodate different teachers' preferences. Simple quizzes that cover an introductory chemistry course but do not include multimedia are included. An example multimedia quiz is also included to show what the program can do and serve as a template for those who have multimedia hardware and appropriate video or digital video driver software to create their own tests.
Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II is designed to be used in physical chemistry or in a separate course on quantum chemistry. It is an electronic textbook of quantum chemistry in which the equations and graphs are "live". Changing a parameter or equation causes all calculations to be redone. The new results are displayed either as a table of numbers or as a graph or both. The opportunities for exploration and enhanced understanding of the meaning of quantum chemical equations are nearly infinite. This is a preview of what the textbook of the future might look like.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Software in Series D of JCE: Software requires Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or later and associated hardware as defined by Microsoft. We recommend an IBM PC or compatible computer with an 80386 or higher processor, a minimum of 4 MB of memory, a hard disk, one 3.5-in. floppy disk drive to install the software, a mouse, and a Windows-compatible graphics card (such as a VGA or a SVGA adapter) with a compatible color monitor. DOS version 5.0 or later is highly recommended.
Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II requires Mathcad version 4.0 or later, which is not included; it greatly benefits from the presence of a math coprocessor, which is highly recommended. VizQuiz requires about 1 MB of free hard disk space plus space for any quizzes and quiz data; Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II requires about 450 KB of hard disk space, not including Mathcad.
First Published: October 1995
Citation: Moore, J. W.; Holmes, J. L. About This Issue J. Chem. Educ. Software 3D1
Keywords:

Editorial Commentary
Will We Be Responsible for That on the Exam?
 
John W. Moore

News | Issues | CD-ROM / Video | Find It! | Technical Support | For Authors

JCE Online | Journal | Software | Internet | Happenings | About JCE | Contact JCE

Last Updated: March 19, 2001
Created: December 10, 1996 Created by: J.L. Holmes
Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.



Volume 3D Number 1

In This Issue

VizQuiz
	James A. McCormick Project SERAPHIM, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706 Robert D. Allendoerfer SUNY at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214-3094
Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II
	Frank Rioux

About This Issue
John W. Moore and Jon L. Holmes University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706-1396

Note:	This issue is out of print.

How to Use These Programs The programs in this Series D issue are for Windows on IBM PC-compatible computers. VizQuiz has been developed in order to extend multimedia to testing and homework in addition to lecture and computer room. An important rationale for its creation is that new methods of teaching require new methods of testing as well. If multimedia are a primary mode of instruction in lecture and computer room tutorials, then students should be asked questions via multimedia on homework and examinations. VizQuiz has been designed to make it easy to use by anyone who wants to incorporate multimedia into testing. Quizzes or assignments can include text, graphics, computer animations, digitized still images, and motion video from either a videodisc or digital source. Students can move from question to question easily, need not answer questions in linear order, and, until a question is graded, can change answers. They can get hints before a question is graded, and see worked out solutions or explanations afterwards. Records can be kept automatically by VizQuiz and stored in a format that can be imported into a spreadsheet. In the computer there can be many questions of a given type for each one that appears on a particular test. Non-traditional types of questions are also possible. For example, in a grouped binary question students can be asked to classify each of five acids as strong or weak; a corresponding multiple-choice question would probably ask them to pick the single strong acid from a list. In multiple-choice questions there can be more than five responses, and each can be given its own point value; partial credit can be given for partial understanding. Also, different remedial help messages can be keyed to each response. Partial credit can also be given for misspelled words and wrong numbers of significant figures. Figure 1. Numbering of atoms for Huckel MO calculation on bucky ball. VizQuiz is an effective quiz giver and homework checker at any level from pre-high school general science through advanced undergraduate work. Since quizzes are written by a teacher, they can be tailored to that teacher's style and the content that has been covered. The program has purposely been made flexible to accommodate different teachers' preferences. Simple quizzes that cover an introductory chemistry course but do not include multimedia are included. An example multimedia quiz is also included to show what the program can do and serve as a template for those who have multimedia hardware and appropriate video or digital video driver software to create their own tests. Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II is designed to be used in physical chemistry or in a separate course on quantum chemistry. It is an electronic textbook of quantum chemistry in which the equations and graphs are "live". Changing a parameter or equation causes all calculations to be redone. The new results are displayed either as a table of numbers or as a graph or both. The opportunities for exploration and enhanced understanding of the meaning of quantum chemical equations are nearly infinite. This is a preview of what the textbook of the future might look like. Hardware and Software Requirements Software in Series D of JCE: Software requires Microsoft Windows version 3.1 or later and associated hardware as defined by Microsoft. We recommend an IBM PC or compatible computer with an 80386 or higher processor, a minimum of 4 MB of memory, a hard disk, one 3.5-in. floppy disk drive to install the software, a mouse, and a Windows-compatible graphics card (such as a VGA or a SVGA adapter) with a compatible color monitor. DOS version 5.0 or later is highly recommended. Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II requires Mathcad version 4.0 or later, which is not included; it greatly benefits from the presence of a math coprocessor, which is highly recommended. VizQuiz requires about 1 MB of free hard disk space plus space for any quizzes and quiz data; Enriching Quantum Chemistry with Mathcad, Part II requires about 450 KB of hard disk space, not including Mathcad.


News \| Issues \| CD-ROM / Video \| Find It! \| Technical Support \| For Authors
JCE Online \| Journal \| Software \| Internet \| Happenings \| About JCE \| Contact JCE
Last Updated: March 19, 2001 Created: December 10, 1996	Created by: J.L. Holmes Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.