The advantages of Gaussian-type orbitals (GTO) over Slater-type orbitals (STO) in quantum chemistry calculations are clarified here by means of a holistic approach. The popular Microsoft Office Excel program was used to create an interactive application with which students are able to explore the features of GTO, including automatic calculations…

Most people who are attracted to STEM-related fields are drawn not by a desire to take mathematics tests but to create things. The opportunity to create an algebra drawing gives students a sense of ownership and adventure that taps into the same sort of energy that leads a young person to get lost in reading a good book, building with Legos®,…

Discusses a new paradigm for choosing educational software, based on the perspectives of the teacher, student, and designer; describes a study of the use of this paradigm by a group of teachers. Results indicated the paradigm helped assessors to articulate a holistic awareness of educational issues, enabling a coherent review of pedagogical,…