Molecular Visualization in STEM Education - An Integrated Assessment Platform

在STEM教育中，分子模型被认为是学习过程中必不可少的一部分。手工制作的简单结构模型在化学和材料科学的教学中发挥着核心作用。不幸的是，蛋白质等复杂结构的物理模型很难建立，更不用说操纵了。然而，随着高速计算机的出现，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，目前讲师在操作模型时很难获得对学生活动的反馈，例如，学生是否确定了结构中的关键功能组？这个项目的关键进展是开发了一个虚拟学习环境(VLE)，它可以确定学生如何与复杂的模型交互。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)向教师反馈，以确定学生是否达到了预期的教育目标。这个项目的重点是为开放学习倡议环境中的VLE开发一个通用平台，并在生物化学/分子生物学、入门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.