Computer simulations, if properly integrated into an instructional module, can potentially provide teachers with a powerful teaching tool. The Next Generation Computer Simulation Project integrates the use of computer simulations with guided-inquiry tutorials. 'Before', 'During', and 'After' class activities and tutorials are being used to help teachers identify topics students find difficult and can help students gain a better understanding of concepts. One purpose of the tutorials is to help students develop a model of a system. A model can be used to help students explain and predict behavior of matter. Using a learning cycle, students can improve their model and understanding of the chemical concept. Computer simulations can help students structure and to carry out an experimental design to answer a question. Students can work in groups to quickly collect, analyze, and graph data. The pooled data and graphs can help students see a pattern. Instructors can introduce the concept. Students can do a problem incorporating a higher-level application of the model. Thus, the learning cycle plays a central role in uniting a computer simulation with a specially designed tutorial. Computer simulations can also include visualizations of the behavior of matter at the particulate level. A beta version of an electrochemistry computer simulation will be presented along with an example of how a computer simulation accompanied by a POGIL-like tutorial can help students gain a better understanding of electrochemistry.

Computer simulations and guided-inquiry tutorials: The Next Generation Project

245th National Meeting (2013)

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