CHED 71 |
| In October 2006, we deployed a Wiki for two taught courses in chemistry. The first was an introductory hands-on course in molecular modelling, for which about 15 chemical examples needed devising. This process was achieved communally by allowing any lecturer or tutor to add or annotate content to the Wiki, in a manner similar to how Wikipedia articles are created. In the spirit of Wikipedia, all original sources of chemical information were cited. Terminology (of which modelling is replete with) could be simply flagged for annotation by enclosing each term in the wiki [[...]] syntax. 3D molecules were added using the Jmol Wiki extension, so that students could see examples of what was intended. The second course was in chemical information, the students themselves being required to either complete 20 provide molecule templates, or to create their own. In this latter regard, the students showed remarkable inventiveness, adding not only much chemical information, but enhancing the wiki itself with templates they identified as being useful. The pros and cons of such a communal approach to content creation by both students and faculty will be discussed. |
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Using Social Networking Tools to Teach Chemistry
1:30 PM-4:55 PM, Sunday, March 25, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N230B, Level 2, Oral
Division of Chemical Education |