Chemistry Tasks For the Computer Lab? 154
soupman55 writes "I teach Chemistry to students completing their last two years of high school. Basically it's a 'teach and test' course with a few experiments thrown in. I want to jazz up the course using computer and internet resources. For instance, I could set some tasks that require Excel spreadsheet calculations. Or I could set some web quests where students search for information online. One of the decisions to be made is: Do I use computer/internet tasks to help the students grasp the material that is already in the course, or do I help them become aware of ideas that are extensions to their course? Also, when I compare Chemistry classes with Accounting classes, it strikes me that unlike Accounting where learning to use software like Quick Books is an integral part of the course, that there is no particular software that a chemistry student must learn to use. Or is there? What in terms of chemistry and computers worked for you? Or what is there computer-wise that wasn't in your high school chemistry course but should have been?"
Re:Perfect for a chemistry class (Score:3, Interesting)
I used to use a program called ACD sketch I see its still around http://www.freechemsketch.com/ [freechemsketch.com] its was fun to play with for molecular modeling.FTA I kinda had to chuckle at the accounting reference, I am a chemist and that is how I see chemistry as "electron accounting". In my experience as a tutor students need to be shown how spreadsheets can be used to interpolate data for everything from balancing equations to plotting curves for kinetics, spectroscopy, pH titration ect. and even for keeping notes formally scribbled on paper towels.."shudder as my former profs heads spin"
Re:High School Chem (Score:3, Interesting)
That wasn't my experience at all. The mechanics of recording measurements very much interfered with the process of thinking about what was actually going on during the course of the experiment. Not only that but being able to apply multiple sensors to an experiment makes it possible to look at multiple factors simultaneously, something much harder if you are recording data manually.
I've never found that a computer is a good reference tool in the sciences except under circumstances where you have access to literature databases - something unlikely in high schools. Libraries are still king in this area.
Re:From the open source world (Score:1, Interesting)
My favorite example of Jmol usage: The Virtual Museum of Minerals and Molecules [wisc.edu]. Yes, I got paid to put its most recent iteration together. Your point?