Teaching Matters
36 - Susan Turland
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Teaching Matters 2016 Presentation Details 7 DecemberDec 2016
Title
A new interactive learning tool - MOLYPOLY2
Author(s)
Susan Turland*, School of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology
Winyu Chinthammit, HITLab AU, School of Engineering and ICT, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology
Subtheme
Locally and Globally Engaged Learning and Teaching
Presentation Type
Poster
Room
Foyer
Time
12.30-13.20
Abstract
| Through
the collaboration between the HITLab and Chemistry, a new interactive
application, MolyPoly2, has been developed to build and interact with
chemistry models using a LeapMotion controller. MolyPoly 2 enabled students
to use their natural hand/finger gestures to select atoms, bond them and
rotate the molecule thus giving the student a high impact learning
experience. Many researchers have created or used new technologies to enhance
the visuospatial ability and those using technologies that increase natural
gestures and body movement have found it reduces the abstract relations thus
decreasing the number of misconceptions conceived (Chinthammit et al 2015).
Enabling continuous access throughout the semester and the exam period as well as having the application as one of the learning tools integrated within the scheduled learning sessions enabled the student to become familiar with the tool and easily use it for its purpose. Feedback in 2015 from the usability survey showed that the majority of students enjoyed using the interactive tool in conjunction with other learning materials. They particularly liked the visualisation of the molecules in 3D and the change in shape of molecules due to the different types of bonds, ‘I found the best thing it did was show how the geometry changed when going from single to double bonds’. The ability to self-check their own work was also highly valued – 71% agreed or highly agreed. To the statement "Overall, MolyPoly helped improved my understanding of the molecular geometry of functional groups" 75% of students agreed or highly agreed. Additional student outcomes for semester 2 2016 including those from pre and post-tests from using the aligned MolyPoly application will be presented as well as the method to integrate a newly developed technology into an existing unit. This study has ethics approval (No. H0015043). Reference Chinthammit, W. Yoo, S, Parker, C. Turland, S. Pederson, S, Fu, W.-T. MolyPoly: A 3D Immersive Gesture Controlled Approach to Visuo-Spatial Learning of Organic Chemistry in The Cognitive Effects of Spatial Interaction, Learning and Ability. Springer (2015). |
Resource
Download presentation (requires University of Tasmania login) (PDF)