Describes a laboratory designed to give students practical experiences with experimental phenomena discussed in lectures, focusing on laboratory organization and typical experiment. In addition to a list of experiments, three exercises are discussed: fluorescence/laser, ferromagnetic domains, and thermal population (which uses PET computer…

Authors discuss how computer laboratory interfacing has revolutionized their nonscience-major introductory chemistry course. Discusses the advantages of doing away with the "cookbook" approach to laboratory experimentation. Presents an evaluation of the course approach including the finding that over 75 percent of the students felt that…

Traces the development of instruments used in spectrophotometry. Discusses how spectrophotometric measurements are made. Describes the color comparator, the filter photometer, and the spectrophotometer. Outlines the evolution of optical systems, including light sources, the monochromator, the photodetector, double-beam optics, and split-beam…

Discusses five approaches used by industry/colleges to provide local area network (LAN) capabilities in the analytical laboratory: (1) mixed baseband bus network coupled to a star net; (2) broadband bus network; (3) ring network; (4) star network coupled to broadband net; and (5) simple multiprocessor center. Part I (September issue) focused on…

This document reports a project, entitled Workshop Physics, that involved the development and testing of introductory physics materials to enable instructors to abandon the traditional separation of lecture and laboratory in favor of a workshop format. The Workshop Physics courses emphasize cognitive development enhanced by direct experience and…

This description of microcomputer-based laboratories (MBL) for science focuses on experiments with a motion detector by non-science majors at Tufts University. Exercises had been used previously with sixth grade middle school students, indicting the effectiveness of MBL for students with a wide range of abilities. (Author/LRW)

Information technology will be an important influence in education in the future. This article discusses the use of instructional technology for science teaching and considers the impact of technology on what is taught and how science is taught. (Author/CW)

Explains a method for keeping track of chemicals, supplies, and equipment by using a computer. Describes stockroom personnel, department needs, the physical plant, restocking procedures, file setup, and effectiveness of the program. Examples of sample inventory forms are included. (RT)

Explains the use of the microcomputer as a multipurpose analytical instrument which frees students from the mechanics of science and allows for more active learning involvement. Provides the typical data acquisition configuration, advantages, disadvantages, and a brief summary. (RT)