Fellows gather monthly to discuss their projects, their aims, and their methods. Chemistry professor Grisham applied to be a TTI fellow with a good sense of the computer programs he wanted to produce for his students. What he needed was help making his vision a reality. With TTI funds, he hired a programmer to create a library of three-dimensional models of molecules and various interactive programs that simulate chemical interactions. Using the interactive program , students drag one molecule to attach it to the appropriate site on another.
Correct matches generate an animated sequence of the real-life reaction.
That way, they learn no chemistry at all. Grisham has seen a different outcome when students use the Web-based programs. In fact, the highest quiz average in his biochemistry course has come from a test of material that now depends heavily on the Web site. Before the creation of the Web site, the quiz had typically resulted in the lowest student scores. Judith Reagan, associate director of the Teaching Resource Center , serves as the TTI program's primary administrator.