Molecular Visualization in STEM Education - An Integrated Assessment Platform

分子模型已被公认为STEM教育学习过程的重要组成部分。 手工制作的简单结构模型在化学和材料科学教学中发挥着核心作用。不幸的是，复杂结构的物理模型，如蛋白质，很难建立，更不用说操纵了。 然而，随着快速计算机的出现，现在可以显示任何结构的三维图像。 然而，除了一对一的教学环境外，目前教师在操纵模型时很难获得关于学生活动的反馈，例如学生是否确定了结构中的关键功能组？该项目的主要进展是开发了一个虚拟学习环境（VLE），可以确定学生如何与复杂模型进行交互。VLE旨在提供以下功能，可用于STEM教育的任何领域：1）使用开源图形程序（Jmol）显示复杂的分子结构，2）指导学生如何操作结构，3）提供学生自我评估，4）反馈给教师以确定学生是否达到了预期的教育目标。该项目的重点是开发一个通用平台的VLE将托管在开放式学习计划的环境中，并在生物化学/分子生物学，介绍化学和材料科学的选定主题中实施VLE。

Molecular models have been recognized as an essential part of the learning process in STEM education. Hand-built models of simple structures play a central role in the teaching of chemistry and material science. Unfortunately, physical models of complex structures, such as proteins, are difficult to build, let alone manipulate. However, with the advent of fast computers it is now possible to display three dimensional images of any structure. Yet, with the exception of a one-on-one teaching environment, it is currently very difficult for the instructor to obtain feedback on the activities of the student while they manipulate the model, e.g. did the student identify a key functional group in the structure? The key advance of this project is the development of a virtual learning environment (VLE) that can determine how a student interacts with a complex model. The VLE is designed to provide the following features that can be used in any area of STEM education: 1) display of a complex molecular structure using an open source graphics program (Jmol), 2) guidance to the student on how to manipulate the structure, 3) provision for student self-assessment, 4) feedback to the instructor to determine whether the student has reached the desired education goal. This project focuses on the development of a general platform for the VLE to be hosted within the Open Learning Initiative environment and implements VLEs in selected topics in biochemistry/molecular biology, introductory chemistry, and material science.