FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
MARCY DUBROFF
(717) 291-3837
The Textbook of the Future...Now Introductory Chemistry Course Utilizes CD-ROM Textbook at Franklin & Marshall
LANCASTER, Pa. -- Imagine if your old chemistry textbooks could suddenly come to life.
You would be able to see chemical reactions, a demonstration of the entire visible spectrum and an interactive representation of the periodic table.
All that is now possible, thanks to several members of the Franklin & Marshall College community. A CD-ROM textbook for introductory chemistry was introduced on a limited basis to campus this fall and will be available for national distribution this spring.
The electronic text, Interactive Chemistry, the first of its kind, will be published by Mosby-Year Book, Inc. It uses the unique multimedia and hypertext capabilities of compact disc (CD) technology to present basic concepts in chemistry.
In addition to traditional information, the CD features chemical reactions, interactive laboratories and application booklets that discuss the chemistry involved with special subjects, such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
"We are hoping that this CD textbook encourages students to get as involved in the learning process as possible," said Claude Yoder, Charles A. Dana professor of chemistry and co-author of the CD. "Most students read a freshman chemistry text much the way they would read a novel -- without a pencil and paper in hand to solve problems. This CD was designed to get them involved in the text. That is why there are animations to look at, examples that lead the student through a problem and simulated laboratory experiments. These are all ways of luring the student into the material and getting them involved with chemistry."
According to Yoder, the CD makes it easy for the student to get involved by providing a "student notebook" that allows the user to take notes on the material they are reading and then linking those notes to an actual page in the text. Devices such as drawing tools, an electronic calculator and a dipole moment generator are also provided to make it both simple and fun to do the chemistry, Yoder said.
The CD, based on a traditional textbook authored by Yoder, Fred Suydam and Fred Snavely back in the 1980s, was also designed to keep the material organized in a clean, coherent fashion. "If you look at most freshman chemistry books from recent years, they are very crowded and confusing and tend to overload the reader with photos, figures and text," Yoder said.
Interactive Chemistry uses "hidden" pictures and tables (pictures that are accessible by clicking on an icon) so students can view the images when they are ready. This makes the material easier to follow, according to Yoder.
In addition, items that a student might need for an upcoming laboratory are organized into "booklets." These booklets provide in-depth information on topics such as measurement, stoichiometry and synthesis, Yoder said.
Another unique feature of the CD is the inclusion of what Yoder calls "application booklets." These booklets allow the reader to look at a specific example of a chemical phenomenon in detail. Topics range from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill to the commercial preparation of elements.
"We had three objectives when we began this project," Yoder said. "First, we wanted to make the CD interactive to force the student to get involved with the text. Second, we wanted to keep the format clean and well-organized. Finally, and most important, we wanted to present the basic principles, concepts and models of chemistry as clearly as possible."
Student feedback throughout the project was critical, Yoder said. "Almost everything we have done has been critiqued by students. We also had several students working on the project. In fact, many of the features have resulted from student comments," he said.
Interactive Chemistry was co-authored by Yoder, Marcus Thomsen, associate professor of chemisty, Oscar Retterer, coordinator of educational development in academic technology services, and Kenneth Hess, associate professor of chemistry. For more information on the CD, call Yoder at (717) 291-3806. --30--
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