Resumen de InterChemNet: Integrating Instrumentation, Management, and Assessment in the General Chemistry Laboratory Course

Barbara Stewart, Robert Kirk, David LaBrecque, Francois G. Amar, Mitchell R. M. Bruce

• InterChemNet (ICN) is a Web-based management program designed to foster active learning in the laboratory. The system allows students choices of discovery-based experiments, a host of background information, and quick and easy access to UV–visible and FTIR spectrometers. The system creates individualized pathways for students by allowing instructors to present a hierarchy of lab choices and assignments in a given week. An evaluation module is integrated into the system to provide immediate feedback for students and evaluation data for instructors. Because assessment is integrated with curriculum delivery, ICN facilitates the introduction of chemical education research into existing courses based on local curricular goals. By making it easy for instructors to analyze learning outcomes for the course, ICN can be used to promote a systematic and evidence-based curriculum development cycle.