Interactive questions providing rapid feedback

Discipline Area

Chemistry/Science

Key assessment issue addressed

Interactive online tutorials and assessment for large classes

The initiative

ChemCAL Online is a suite of web-deliverable interactive multimedia tutorials covering a full range of topics in first year chemistry, which forms an integral part of our first year courses. Our students use the materials at times they choose from places convenient to them in their study program.

The online modules are presented in a web framework that is easy to navigate, yet the module structure is flexible enough that we can easily reorganise the content of a module to complement the syllabus of a specific course. Our one-semester subjects, with a typical enrolment of around 1000, use 12 topic modules each semester, designed to typically take a student 30-40 minutes of review and practice time.

Interactive questions enable the student to check their understanding of each learning step and provide instant feedback. The focus of the tutorials and questions is on learning rather than testing. There is plenty of online help available - each question has a hint to help a student get started, plus an optional explanation of the process that leads to the answer.

In 2001, the ChemCAL Online program was expanded to develop the Online Prelab modules. The objective is not to replace labs, but, using animations and interactive questions, to maximise the effectiveness of laboratory time. On satisfactory completion of a module, the student receives a receipt number which must be handed in at the lab class.

As demonstrated by students' heavy use of the system, especially in intense study periods, and from their rating of the usefulness of the modules in evaluation questionnaires and focus groups carried out through the course, the modules, used in the context of the lectures, face-to-face tutorials and lab classes in our campus based-courses, and in the context of students' development of their own learning style are providing an important resource.

The reason for the initiative's effectiveness

ChemCAL provides flexible and self paced presentation and feedback to students in tutorials and prelab exercises, while relieving staff of many commonly asked questions and the marking of many thousands of pre-lab exercises in large classes.

Further details

A/Prof. Peter Tregloan
Chemistry School
The University of Melbourne
patreg@unimelb.edu.au