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Assessment of a Data-Verification System for the General Chemistry Laboratory

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Laura E. Pence and Harry J. Workman

Department of Chemistry, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT 06117

J. Chem. Educ., 2006, 83 (4), p 668

DOI: 10.1021/ed083p668

Publication Date (Web): April 1, 2006

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

A 1980s assessment of the general chemistry laboratory program at the University of Hartford revealed a tendency for students to leave the laboratory before calculations were completed and before the significance of the data was understood. In response to this problem, a set of computer programs was written to check that the students produced mathematically correct calculations expressed to the proper number of significant figures. Students were required to enter their data and calculations into the programs as part of the laboratory work before leaving the lab. The consistent weekly reinforcement of good time management and good data-handling skills required by the programs has improved students' facility with these numerical skills and has improved lab report quality in the area of discussing results. The project has recently been assessed to identify strengths and weaknesses in the process. Other advantages of the programs include more rapid grading, use of the database for standardization of solutions, and impartial documentation of cheating.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Feature):

Computer Bulletin Board

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Computer-Based Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Administrative Issues

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