Using Handheld Computers in the Chemistry Classroom

Project Numina IIProject Numina IIProject Numina II

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Using Handheld Computers in the Using Handheld Computers in the Chemistry ClassroomChemistry Classroom

http://aa.uncwil.edu/numinahttp://aa.uncwil.edu/numina

Charles R. WardCharles R. WardJames H. ReevesJames H. ReevesBarbara P. HeathBarbara P. Heath

Department of ChemistryDepartment of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at WilmingtonUniversity of North Carolina at Wilmington


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History of Numina II SRS History of Numina II SRS • Multi-disciplinary team has been working together Multi-disciplinary team has been working together

on technology projects since 1990.on technology projects since 1990.

• Funding obtained in 1999 to explore the use of Funding obtained in 1999 to explore the use of handheld computer technology for teaching science handheld computer technology for teaching science and mathematics.and mathematics.

• Work begins on Student Response System.Work begins on Student Response System.

chemistrychemistry

physicsphysics

mathematicsmathematics

computercomputersciencescience

sciencescienceeducationeducation


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• Initial work done with handheld Initial work done with handheld computers (1999-2001)computers (1999-2001)

History of Numina II Project History of Numina II Project

• Wireless networks installed (1999)Wireless networks installed (1999)

• Focus shifted to Pocket PCs Focus shifted to Pocket PCs (2001-present)(2001-present)


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Numina II ProjectNumina II Project

• Is it possible to do serious Is it possible to do serious college-level work on a Pocket college-level work on a Pocket PC?PC?

• What additional hardware and What additional hardware and software are needed to make the software are needed to make the PPC a viable option for students PPC a viable option for students and faculty? and faculty?


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• Intel StrongArm CPU (206 MHz)Intel StrongArm CPU (206 MHz)

• 64 MB RAM64 MB RAM

• 240 x 360 reflective TFT color240 x 360 reflective TFT colordisplaydisplay

• Compact Flash expansionCompact Flash expansionslotslot

• 14-hour Li-ion battery14-hour Li-ion battery

• Pocket PC 2002 OSPocket PC 2002 OS

• MS Pocket Office suiteMS Pocket Office suite

• Internet ExplorerInternet Explorer

Pocket PC Hardware Pocket PC Hardware


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• Pocket PCs are distributed to students in classPocket PCs are distributed to students in class

• PPCs are stored on “charging” cartsPPCs are stored on “charging” carts

Pocket PC Hardware Pocket PC Hardware


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• Reads and writes standard MSReads and writes standard MSWord (.doc) documentsWord (.doc) documents

• Will read and display sub/super-Will read and display sub/super-scripts but will not create themscripts but will not create them

• No support for tablesNo support for tables

MS Pocket WordMS Pocket Word


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• Reads and writes standard MSReads and writes standard MSExcel (.xls) documentsExcel (.xls) documents

• Does not support graphingDoes not support graphing

• Will not allow non-contiguousWill not allow non-contiguouscolumn selectioncolumn selection

• No statistical routinesNo statistical routines

MS Pocket ExcelMS Pocket Excel


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• Supports standard HTMLSupports standard HTML

• Supports JPEG and GIFSupports JPEG and GIF

• Supports embedded Media PlayerSupports embedded Media Player

• Supports Flash MX (V. 6)Supports Flash MX (V. 6)

• No animated GIF supportNo animated GIF support

• Limited JavaScript supportLimited JavaScript support

• Very limited Java supportVery limited Java support

MS Pocket Internet ExplorerMS Pocket Internet Explorer


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eBook Chemistry TextbookeBook Chemistry Textbook

• BLB text from Prentice-HallBLB text from Prentice-Hall

• Supplied in HTML formatSupplied in HTML format

• Text delivered over the WebText delivered over the Web

• Fully editableFully editable


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• Supports WMF audio and videoSupports WMF audio and video

• Supports MP3Supports MP3

• Supports streaming videoSupports streaming video

• Will embed in Pocket IEWill embed in Pocket IE

MS Pocket Media PlayerMS Pocket Media Player


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• Supports most Acrobat Reader Supports most Acrobat Reader functions including: thumbnails, functions including: thumbnails, table of contentstable of contents

• Excellent graphics supportExcellent graphics support

• PDF files are very largePDF files are very large

Adobe Acrobat Reader for PPCAdobe Acrobat Reader for PPC


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• Pen-based interfacePen-based interface

• MM+ and Semi-EmpiricalMM+ and Semi-Empirical

• Build moleculesBuild molecules

• Optimize geometriesOptimize geometries

• Explore properties of moleculesExplore properties of molecules

Pocket Hyperchem from HypercubePocket Hyperchem from Hypercube

– View and rotate molecules View and rotate molecules

– Measure bond angles and bond Measure bond angles and bond lengthslengths

– View molecules in different View molecules in different renderingsrenderings


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• All of the graphing functions ofAll of the graphing functions ofa TI graphing calculatora TI graphing calculator

• Easier to use than a calculatorEasier to use than a calculatordue to the pen-based interfacedue to the pen-based interface

• Many additional functions useful Many additional functions useful in chemistry classesin chemistry classes

• Periodic tablePeriodic table

• Stop watchStop watch

• ConstantsConstants

• Conversion factorsConversion factors

RDCalc Graphing CalculatorRDCalc Graphing Calculator


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• Developed at UNCW by Dr. RussDeveloped at UNCW by Dr. RussHermanHerman

• Adds graphing capability to Adds graphing capability to Pocket ExcelPocket Excel

• Graphs can be pasted intoGraphs can be pasted intoPocket WordPocket Word

GraphDataGraphData


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• Graphical FTP client programGraphical FTP client program

• Very easy to useVery easy to use

• Students use FTP to transfer filesStudents use FTP to transfer filesto their instructorto their instructor

Scotty FTPScotty FTP


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• 12-bit DATAQ system with 12-bit DATAQ system with numerous probesnumerous probes

• Available as serial interface or as Available as serial interface or as CF+ unitCF+ unit

• Software runs on HPC, PPC, and Software runs on HPC, PPC, and desktop computersdesktop computers

Data Harvest DATAQ SystemData Harvest DATAQ System


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Additional “Cool” Science StuffAdditional “Cool” Science Stuff

Audio Spectrum Analyzer Global Positioning System


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Numina II Student Response SystemNumina II Student Response System• Interactive classroom questioningInteractive classroom questioning

• Completely Web-based systemCompletely Web-based system

• Student feedback is anonymousStudent feedback is anonymous

• Data are available for later analysisData are available for later analysis

http://aa.uncwil.edu/numina/srs


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Numina II Student Response SystemNumina II Student Response System


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Student Response Pad ViewStudent Response Pad View

Multiple Choice Yes / No True / False


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Student Response Pad ViewStudent Response Pad View

Variable Response Graphic Response Graphic Response


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Sample Question 1Sample Question 1


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Sample Question 1 Showing Student ResponsesSample Question 1 Showing Student Responses


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Sample Question 1 Showing Student ResponsesSample Question 1 Showing Student Responses24 students 24 students

in classin class


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4. Congratulating a student with a pat on the back or commenting on a student’s appearance constitutes sexual harrassment.

True

False


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4. Congratulating a student with a pat on the back or commenting on a student’s appearance constitutes sexual harrassment.

True

False


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Important Classroom OutcomesImportant Classroom Outcomes

• Student participation in question sessions is Student participation in question sessions is consistently near 100%.consistently near 100%.

• Instructors gain immediate information regarding the Instructors gain immediate information regarding the extent to which students understand the concepts or extent to which students understand the concepts or procedures being presented.procedures being presented.

• Instructors make informed decisions based on student Instructors make informed decisions based on student data that impact the pace of class and the data that impact the pace of class and the organization of concepts presented.organization of concepts presented.

• Nearly 100% of participating students report that they Nearly 100% of participating students report that they prefer the SRS system to normal classroom prefer the SRS system to normal classroom questioning techniques.questioning techniques.


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• Classroom discussion is increased and more Classroom discussion is increased and more widespread.widespread.

total discussion hits

number of studentsparticipating in discussion

PPT SRS PPT SRS

Tot

al R

espo

nses

and

Stu

dent

s


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• Students exhibit little off-task behavior when using Students exhibit little off-task behavior when using Pocket PCs with the SRS system.Pocket PCs with the SRS system.


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Software Development for Numina IISoftware Development for Numina II

• Molecular Animator (states of matter, vapor Molecular Animator (states of matter, vapor pressure, phase diagrams, etc.)pressure, phase diagrams, etc.)

• Kinetics SimulatorKinetics Simulator

• Equilibrium SimulatorEquilibrium Simulator

• Data Analysis ModuleData Analysis Module

• Data Acquisition Software & HardwareData Acquisition Software & Hardware


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• National Science Foundation (#IIS-0002935)National Science Foundation (#IIS-0002935) • Pearson EducationPearson Education• UNCWUNCW

• College of Arts and SciencesCollege of Arts and Sciences• Division of Academic AffairsDivision of Academic Affairs• Information Technology Systems DivisionInformation Technology Systems Division

Project FundingProject Funding

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements


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AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

• Department of ChemistryDepartment of Chemistry• Dr. Charles WardDr. Charles Ward• Dr. Jimmy ReevesDr. Jimmy Reeves• Dr. Barbara HeathDr. Barbara Heath• Ms. Jenny Wright, UndergraduateMs. Jenny Wright, Undergraduate• Ms. Katy Magolan, UndergraduateMs. Katy Magolan, Undergraduate

Current CollaboratorsCurrent Collaborators

• Mathematics and Statistics / PhysicsMathematics and Statistics / Physics• Dr. Gabriel LugoDr. Gabriel Lugo• Dr. Russ HermanDr. Russ Herman

• Computer ScienceComputer Science• Dr. Ron VetterDr. Ron Vetter• Mr. Shaun Border, UndergraduateMr. Shaun Border, Undergraduate


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http://aa.uncwil.edu/numinahttp://aa.uncwil.edu/numina

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Using Handheld Computers in the Chemistry Classroom