Using Applets to Encourage Active Learning and Teaching in

Undergraduate Chemistry and Physics Education

Brian MartinPeter Mahaffy

The King’s Centre for Visualization in ScienceEdmonton, Canada

Main Goals …• Develop evidence based reasoning in students• Foster independent (not “algorithmic”)

understanding – encourage “playful” exploration• “Modernize” critical topics (ie – early introduction

to spectroscopy and quantum)• Expose students to primary literature (when

appropriate)

Design Features of Applets• Conceptually “clean” focus• Intended for both conceptual and quantitative

applications• Many are embedded within a “suite” of ancillary

materials but can be operated as stand-alone digital resources

• Flash based – cross platform and deployed on Android and iOS mobile platforms

Exemplars

• The photoelectric effect

• IR – suite

• IR spectral windows

Ancillary resources

Simulated experiment mode

The King’s Centre for Visualization in Science

• www.kcvs.ca• A talented

group of undergraduate students from many disciplines

Thank you for your kind attention!

Questions?