The development and assessment of the effectiveness of a multimedia introduction to plant secondary metabolism

• Main Author: Looney, Michael Bradley
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/9732

Few biologists have an appreciation of plant secondary metabolism. Computer-based interactive multimedia is, potentially, an ideal medium with which to introduce a novice to the subject. The development of a web-based program designed to teach some aspects of plant secondary metabolism is described. The program was field-tested on thirty second-year organic chemistry students. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are reported. The analyses attempted to determine 1) if the program is an effective tool with which to introduce secondary metabolism and 2) to assess the perceived effectiveness of the overall design and user-interface. The program is included on an accompanying CD-ROM. Requirements for the CD are any computer capable of running Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0 or greater. A current version of the program can be found on the World Wide Web at: http://www.interchange.ubc.ca/looney/pchem.