Publication
iChem3D JISC project final report
Supporting lifelong learning: enhancing the value of interactive 3D chemistry
What is it about?
ChemTube3D is an Open Educational Resource (OER) that contains interactive 3D chemistry animations and structures, with supporting information, for students studying some of the most important topics in advanced school chemistry and university chemistry courses.
Why is it important?
Understanding the 3D structures of molecules is essential when exploring the interactions between atoms and chemical reactions. ChemTube3D recognises that traditional learning sources do not convey the complex interplay and movement of atoms well.
Perspectives
I wanted to enhance the teaching of chemistry by using creating a resource which could be used by educators and, independently, by students to promote understanding of a wide range of chemical topics. It was crucial that no specialised software or hardware would be required to visualize the 3D structures and that it would be freely available to all. I worked with a team of outstanding undergraduate students to build the web pages, using their own perspectives on learning to inform the presentation of the material. ChemTube3D was built by undergraduates for undergraduates and high school students. I also wanted to link an online OER ChemTube3D to conventional textbooks such as my own using a unique approach. Graphical links appear in the printed texts to prompt direct use of the relevant web page and book cover art thumbnails with page numbers on ChemTube3D link to relevant page in the textbook. This combination of established and modern resources has extended and enriched the learning experience of students.
Director of Teaching and Learning
Nick
Greeves
University of Liverpool
