The goal of the NSF-funded Molecular Workbench has been to provide a rich environment that makes the atomic level familiar, predictable, and connected with the macroscopic world, and to understand the effect of such an environment on student learning. The Molecular Workbench is a molecular simulation engine developed for the project. It is a professional tool for generating model-based activities, and for annotating and sharing them among students. The Molecular Workbench has developed modular curriculum units for research purposes. Each module includes Molecular Workbench signature software, macro-micro connections and hands-on activities: Atoms in Motion States of Matter Aquatic Solutions In and Around Our Cells Monomers to Polymers Shaping Proteins
Type of Material:
Animation
Recommended Uses:
Molecular Workbench is a modeling tool that can be used to design and conduct computational experiments across science
Molecular Workbench can be used as an authoring system for instructional designers to create and publish model and simulation-based curriculum materials.
It can be used for self-paced, individual assignments or for homework.
Technical Requirements:
MW runs on Windows, Mac OS X v10.4+, and Linux. it requires the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) of Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) v1.5 or higher version must be installed. I
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Molecular Workbench is an interactive learning environment that supportsscience inquiry.
As stated on the website, it is a "software that provides visual, interactive computational experiments for teaching and learning science."
Target Student Population:
Middle School, High School, College General Ed, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Java is a must
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
An important, unique characteristic feature of MW is that it puts a simulation in a learning context. It supports the rendering and authoring of learning activities, which are typically sequences of scaffolded learning steps that employ models and simulations to teach.
Concerns:
None
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
MW's capacity in simulating nanoscale phenomena makes it a potentially useful tool for teaching nanoscience and nanotechnology, which are strategically important as many scientific disciplines are being unified under the framework of nanoscience.
Users can easily add interactives to class web pages.
Concerns:
None
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
To its credit, MW offers a lot of existing materials, that users can customize or create their own simulations and curricula. Simulations can be run as applets embedded in users' own blog, wiki, or web pages
Also, it is free and open-source.
Easy for users to manipulate the simluations. Visuals make it easier for learners to comprehend science models.
Concerns:
Because of the requirement for Java. This product might not be as usable (portable) as it claims.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
