Learning Object (Chemical kinetics)

Learning objects are extremely useful in learning the microscopic aspect of chemistry. Chemistry is about changes at the molecular level, which is mostly impossible to view with our senses. Through simulation, we can go direct down to the molecular level to visualize what is going on. In addition, these simulations provide variables to maniuplate, which implies that students can predict and verify results with ease. This is extremely important, as usually it takes a lot more time for students to conduct an actual experiment, and observe changes in order to confirm their prediction. For example, in the following flash file

http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/flashfiles/kinetics2/kinetics.swf

students can first predict how a change in temperature will affect the reaction rate, and can be verified within a few minutes. If it were to do in the actual experimental setting, it will take at least a couple of hours to complete the investigation. As a result, with such learning object, the feedback loop can be much shortened, and accordingly the learning effectiveness can be much improved.

However, one thing need to be aware of. This is afterall learning objects are models or simulations, which have the limitations and cannot manifest all the features of the actual objects. Students could have taken the analogy a bit too far, and assume that this is the full picture. As teachers, we need to be more sensitive to this, and constant remind students of the possible limitations and shortcomings of them.