New Alternatives to Academic Delivery: Implementation of Analytical Chemistry Quality Assessment Exercises in an e-Learning Environment

Abstract

In this paper, the development of an automatic assessor is presented, both in MATLAB and in Excel, for an analytical exercise. In particular, the emulation of an interlaboratory exercise, using the analytical determination of phosphorus in a dry detergent, carried out in the laboratory by different groups of students, was selected as a case of study. The automatic assessor was used in the e-learning environment DOCTUS, which allows students to submit their results to a server to receive back immediately their mark and an indication of their possible mistakes. Using this approach enhances the learning experience of the laboratory work of students. The experience described in this article has been developed in the frame of the subject “Quality Control in Analytical Laboratories” corresponding to the chemistry degree at the University of Extremadura (Spain) along the academic courses from 2017/2018 to 2021/2022. The impact of the implemented tool on students’ academic performance has been also addressed.

Determining the True Performance of a HPLC Column: A Simulation-Based Experiment

“…Students work in small groups, they utilize a simulator to undertake a complex analysis of a system that is in reality difficult to experimentally conduct, and they analyze their data using spreadsheets. This approach to learning is consistent with the trend of adapting to modern technologies to enhance class room activities and outcomes . We find this a useful way for them to discover how to undertake the measure of efficiency of the system, and effectively discuss the concepts with their peers.…”

“…This approach to learning is consistent with the trend of adapting to modern technologies to enhance class room activities and outcomes. 14 We find this a useful way for them to discover how to undertake the measure of efficiency of the system, and effectively discuss the concepts with their peers. In class we run through the concepts of system dead volume contributions and band broadening and discuss how the system dead volume might be eliminated.…”