A bachelor's degree program in chemistry typically starts with basic concepts in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Those principles are very important because they pave the ground for future advanced studies and, therefore, one needs to present them in a clear but rigorous way. One example is provided by the mathematical notion of an iterative…

This lab exercise exposes students to Evernote, which is a powerful productivity application that has gained significant purchase in professional work environments. In many academic settings the introductory computer applications course has a specific focus on standard productivity applications such as MS Word and MS Excel. While ensuring fluency…

This paper presents a case study in which the principles of scholarship were applied to designing an approach to learning suitable for large classes. While this case study describes an Australian first year Business Law unit, the findings presented in this paper would be relevant to a wide range of teachers faced with large enrollments in first…

A series of interactive, instructional units have been developed that integrate computational molecular modelling and visualization to teach fundamental chemistry concepts and the relationship between the molecular and macro-scales. The units span the scale from atoms, small molecules to macromolecular systems, and introduce many of the concepts…

Intended for use with college students in introductory macroeconomics or American economic history courses, these two computer simulations of two basic macroeconomic models--a simple Keynesian-type model and a quantity-theory-of-money model--present largely incompatible explanations of the Great Depression. Written in Basic, the simulations are…

This article discusses our teaching approach in graduate level Engineering Statistics. It is based on the use of modern technology, learning groups, contextual projects, simulation models, and statistical and simulation software to entice student motivation. The use of technology to facilitate group projects and presentations, and to generate,…

Examines the use of personal computers (PCs) in the introductory sociology course. Discusses the functional strengths and weaknesses of PCs. Describes the use of PCs in preparing and presenting visual material, teaching basic concepts and strategies, illustrating analytical storylines, and engaging students in problem solving. Suggests additional…

A computerized study system that is being used in an introductory psychology course is described. A total of 2,000 multiple-choice test items have been catalogued by chapter and page number and stored on hard disk. The student selects the chapter to be reviewed and is given randomly selected test items. (RM)

Describes a method of instruction used to provide meaningful individualized assignments to students in a large introductory physics course. (ZWH)

Presents a system in which students in an introductory sociology class use computers to analyze data from the National Opinion Research Center's (NORC) General Social Surveys. Reviews obstacles to the use of computers by both students and instructors and shows how these obstacles can be reduced. (DB)

A set of computer programs was developed to support instruction in an introduction to education course for prospective teachers. The programs provide teacher education students with examples of various uses of the microcomputer to support classroom instruction. The instructional programs represent three types: drill and practice, tutorial and…

Presented is the change-point estimation which is a variation on point estimation for a two-sample problem. This variation relies on the elementary properties of the expected value and variance operators, is intuitive and is easily accessible for introductory statistics courses. Data for this exercise may be produced by a BASIC program which is…

This guide to the use of computer software in Spanish second language instruction contains a series of lesson plans based in part on software content. The topics covered by the lesson plans are common to Spanish level 1 and 2 courses, and are intended not as a sequential course but as a reference for teachers. All lessons involve computer use and…

Computer assisted instruction (CAI) as an optional enrichment versus required component is described. Discussed are making CAI an integral component of freshman chemistry, program requirements, need for user modification of programs, staff and facilities, mode of operation, student evaluation, and effect on student performance. (KR)

This lab manual is designed to accompany a college course introducing students to computing. The exercises are designed to be completed by the average student in a supervised 2-hour block of time at a computer lab over 15 weeks. The intent of each lab session is to introduce a topic and have the student feel comfortable with the use of the machine…