This project, which is in conjunction with Project
IMPROVE (University of Hull), aimed to provide access to
learning situations for students who have a range of temporary
and permanent learning difficulties. In particular the problems
of students needing to do practical chemistry have been explored
via CDROM packages.
A demo CDROM has been produced and presented at
a Swap Shop at the University of Central Lancashire in April
2003 (Click
here for a set of Power Point slides)
Southampton was host site for an exploratory EC
project SOCRATES ODL (1998/99) to find ways to exchange the
best of multimedia resources for chemistry across Europe and
thus to save endless "reinvention of wheels". A Brainstorming
Workshop was held in June 1999 and this resulted in the
publication of a report "Multimedia Resources for Chemistry
in Europe" (December 1999) which can be downloaded from
the project's www
site. It is hoped that a multiple languages resources rather
than single language resources will be produced in the future.
One of the problems with using films, videos and
CD ROMs for teaching and learning purposes is locating the appropriate
resource. The "Chemistry Images" database produced
jointly by the Chemistry Video Consortium and the RSC enables
some 1000 images to be located and evaluated prior to hire and
purchase. The database is divided into pre-16 and post-16 sections
and is being updated on a regular basis; last updated in May
2003.
Under the HEFCE TLTP initiative in 1992 the Chemistry
Video Consortium Project was established to provide high quality
practical chemistry demonstrations for laboratory work. The
resulting video material was delivered as VHS tapes and laser
video discs in 1995/96 and in CD ROM format with interactive
courseware in 1999. There is an ongoing programme of design
and development work.
Practical Chemistry for
Schools and Colleges
In order to facilitate laboratory chemistry in
schools and colleges ("A" - level, "AS"-level
and GNVQ) the RSC and the CVC are collaborating to provide interactive
CD ROMs using material adapted from the CVC "Basic
Laboratory Chemistry" series. The new CD ROMs are expected
to be ready for September 2000. It is hoped that further CD
ROM packages will be produced in 2001
Multilingual CD ROMs for
Practical Chemistry
In order to exchange multimedia resources (see
above SOCRATES MINERVA ODL
Project) it is necessary to provide material in different
language options. In a pilot project a CVC video clip was prepared
with an English commentary and English subtitles for advanced
university students, English commentary and French subtitles
for freshman students and French commentary and French subtitles
for school and college students. It is expected that the pilot
project will lead to a number of bilingual versions of "Practical
Laboratory Chemistry". For example work began on a
full French language version of "Practical Laboratory"
in September 2000 in cooperation with the University of Nice
Sophia Antipolis. Such bilingual packages can be used for technical
language training, eg "Chemical Language for Europe"
project (funding applied for under EC LEONARDO DA VINCI programme),
in collaboration with the Europa Fachhochschule Fresenius GmbH,
Idstein, Germany.
European Centre for Chemistry Education