E-mail: glasser@aurum.wits.ac.za
Abstract: The Department of Chemistry at the University
of the Witwatersrand has been developing and using a computer-assisted
instructional (CAI) system for its first-year students since 1980.
The programs were initially developed for the Apple II microcomputer,
but have been adapted, extended and enhanced for the PC (initially
for the MS-DOS operating system, but now usable under Windows)
since about 1995. The programs have an integrated marks management
system which can be interrogated by both students and supervisors.
There are presently about 90 programs in use, accessed by all
students in our first-year classes; thus, the system is used well
in excess of 10,000 times annually. The programs are of a 'practice-and-guidance'
type, supporting the lecturers and tutors through assistance to
students in the learning of routine procedures and providing encouraging
advice when encountering student error. The system is well-established,
with copies in operation at a number of tertiary institutions
in South Africa, and a selection of six published by the Journal
of Chemical Education. A sub-set of the programs would be suitable
for school use, and have been adapted for this purpose. The presentation
will cover the process of development of the material, addressing
issues of quality and reliability, and its application in student
learning.