Using Applets to Encourage Active Learning and Teaching in
Undergraduate Chemistry and Physics Education
Brian MartinPeter Mahaffy
The King’s Centre for Visualization in ScienceEdmonton, Canada
Main Goals …
• Develop evidence based reasoning in students• Foster independent (not “algorithmic”)
understanding – encourage “playful” exploration• “Modernize” critical topics (ie – early introduction
to spectroscopy and quantum)• Expose students to primary literature (when
appropriate)
Design Features of Applets
• Conceptually “clean” focus• Intended for both conceptual and quantitative
applications• Many are embedded within a “suite” of ancillary
materials but can be operated as stand-alone digital resources
• Flash based – cross platform and deployed on Android and iOS mobile platforms
Exemplars
• The photoelectric effect
• IR – suite
• IR spectral windows
Ancillary resources
Simulated experiment mode
The King’s Centre for Visualization in Science
• www.kcvs.ca• A talented
group of undergraduate students from many disciplines
Thank you for your kind attention!
Questions?
