Interactive CD ROM Packages for Practical Chemistry Don Brattan (Central Lancashire) Oliver Jevons and Tony Rest (Southampton) Contact:

AVAILABILITY “Practical Laboratory Chemistry” - CD ROM (19 Programmes; Universities; 1999) “Chemistry Images” – Data Base of Resources (RSC www site; Universities and Schools) “Practical Laboratory Chemistry for Schools and Colleges” - CD ROM (2 Programmes; Sept 2000)

Benefits for Students Available for Pre-Lab Viewing Including Via University Networks User-friendly High Quality Presentations Available for In-Lab Viewing When Experiments Go Wrong Can Contain Background Theory, Video, Glossaries, Worked Examples, Quizzes Can Provide Assessment Data

Benefits for Staff and Departments High Quality Demonstrations Consistency of Standards Good Safety Practices Cost-Effective Use of Demonstrating Resources, Chemicals and Kit Computer Marking of Assessments

Resources in the Pipeline Customising Images (see below) “Physical Chemistry Experiments” CD ROM series (Background Theory, Worked Examples, Data Bank of Results, Video, Glossaries and Quizzes) Resources for Remote Learning and Disadvantaged Students Bilingual CD ROMs, e.g. French/English Video Streaming for High Bandwidth Networks Delivery via DVD

Customising Images Why? –Few resources exactly meet desired need; –Different levels of explanation required; –Not adapted to different user groups, e.g. disabled students How? –Capture of images (stills, animations, VHS tapes and laser discs; video and audio) and compression (MPEG, AVI); –Mixing with text and graphics (course management software); –Compilation of final product

Customising Images Practical Aspects? –PCs have standard video and sound cards; –Software readily available, e.g. “Toolbook”, “Authorware”, “MacroMedia Director”; –Structured programmes for beginners; –Images exist which can be used on a local basis with copyright permission; –Can be easily customised to future platforms, e.g. DVD

Conclusions Cost savings can be achieved through re- cycling materials “Re-inventing wheels” can be minimised Ready availability of PCs in institutions and at home means that the time is right for expansion in this type of teaching learning and training Considerable scope for exchange of technical experience, skills and resources International goodwill exists for collaborative projects

Further Information “Chemistry Images” Database and “Practical Laboratory Chemistry” CD ROMS SOCRATES ODL Project “Multimedia Resources for Chemistry” Chemistry Video Consortium Project