This site provides primarily a scrollable text presentation of concepts in introductory, inorganic, physical and organic chemistry. The site has a very clean look and feel, is searchable and is clearly and well written. It also includes good links to related topics and concpts in each section and a large self-testing section. The figures available are accurate and simple to understand. While the overall site covers aspects of first year chemistry (bonding and structure), inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry etc., no discipline is covered in very great detail.
Type of Material:
The site presents primarily text in scrollable, long pages with occasional figures or diagrams. There are no animations and there is no interactivity involved.
Recommended Uses:
1. This site is useful as a reference material for students 2. It is a good study aid to be used in individual or group study 3. Good review tool and for self-testing by students.
Technical Requirements:
Standard computer platform.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The major learning goals of this site appear to be as a simple introduction to first year, second year, or third year chemistry, without attempting to be encyclopedic or comprehensive in treatment or provide examples of worked calculational style problems.
Target Student Population:
Advanced high school and freshman and sophomore college chemistry students
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Introductory high school chemistry
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This site provides details of all the introdutory concepts and skills needed for lower level college chemistry that are: -consistently accurate -consistent with cutrrent textbooks -the links within the site are well designed to enhance the pareticular topic being presented
Concerns:
This site uses only textual information and does not include any simulations or animations, which could enhance student comprehension and retention. The number of subjects covered is small. The site is primarily geared towards use by A-level students in the U.K. For these students, the site is roughly equivalent to an A-level preparatory text transported to the web. The number of worked calculations is nonexistent for first year chemistry students, a major impediment.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The explanations presented are written in a remarkably clear style. This is aided by the very clear web presentation style. The site has a look of professionalism. The incorporation of a google search engine for the site helps quick navigation. Students will be able to use small parts or several related parts to better understand a topic, and as such, it has the flexibility of being used as a comprehensive review tool or to learn a few specifc concepts and topics. It also provides a link to an extensive interactive quizzing section on various topics.
Concerns:
-The site presents information in a largely textual manner and therefore may not appeal to multiple learning styles, navigation could be improved so that the student is not continually scrolling through very long pages. -It does not engage the viewer through audio and animation -It is not interactive for the most part except for the quizzing sections. -The prominent placement of the GOOGLE search engine on the main pages detracts from the value of the site.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
- The site is very straightforward to use, with navigation by major topic and then scrolling. - The information is presented in a easy to follow fashion and is self-contained. - The terms in each new concept are clearly defined and linked to related terms and explanations
Concerns:
None
Other Issues and Comments:
This site is a good source for learning and reviewing introductory concepts in inorganic, physical and organic chemistry. There is little to no mathmatical examples under the topics. It would have been much better if the site had incorporated help with calculations rather than referring the reader to the purchase of the textbook.
Creative Commons:
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