Comment from the Project Team...

The interactive multimedia program has a learning design inherent within it and it is this design that has been represented by the Designers.

However, the learning design in terms of how the CD-ROM is implemented within an overall learning experience, seems to be based on enabling students to practice conducting chemical experiments in a virtual environment before undertaking similar experiments in a real laboratory. As such, the CD-ROM could be considered a "rehearsal tool". For this learning design interpretation, another Learning Design Sequence is presented.

Please note: defining what constitutes a "learning design" has been a challenge for the Project Team. Thus, whilst a definition has been offered in this project, it is open to interpretation.

Students in first-year chemistry courses are required to complete the appropriate pre-lab in its entirety before attending the relevant experimental session...

There are two main resources provided to students in this learning design: an interactive multimedia program on CD-ROM and the physical chemistry laboratory. The first resource has been designed to enable students to more effectively utilise the second resource...

Students have access to each course Handbook and to the course textbook if they need additional information to that provided on the CD. Each course has its own website where students may access additional support and can pose questions...

Each student has their own copy of the CD-ROM which can be used at a number of sites around the University or at home...

Understanding the nature and purpose of the activity; Enhanced understanding of theoretical concepts underlying experiments; Awareness of safety issues; ...

The assessment tasks are contained within the simulation activities. These involve randomised data so that each student completes their own individual task....

Laboratory work is crucial to building professional skills for chemists but is a notoriously expensive and labour intensive learning method...

Constructivism is the underlying theory that underpins this learning design. The activities on the CD-ROM enable each student to begin to construct their own understanding and skills before lab entry...

The development of this learning design arose from the observed need for pre-laboratory preparation among first year chemistry students at the University of Wollongong to allow full and effective use of expensive laboratory experiences...

Personal annual research has been conducted into student opinions and perceptions...

Some students report a greater in depth understanding of some topics from completing the relevant CD-ROM activity even before completing the real time experiment...