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?