Making the unseen seen: Integrating 3d molecular visualizations in elementary, high school, and higher education

This chapter describes three studies that attempted to change the predominant traditional lecture-based instruction by integrating 3D visualizations into chemistry courses. The three studies had one similar objective: to examine the effect of 3D web-based molecular visualizations on students' learning outcomes, centering on five cognitive abilities. The studies were conducted among elementary, high school, and university students. Data were collected by applying quantitative methods within a pre- and post-experimental design. The findings in all three studies suggested that in order to enhance the construction of scientifically correct mental models, students should be engaged in the construction and manipulation of 3D visualizations. Passive observations of 2D molecular drawings in textbooks or even teachers' demonstrations of 3D molecular visualizations are not sufficient for enhancing higher levels of cognitive abilities. Among the many advantages of using advanced technologies in chemical education, web-based visualizations are significantly important for helping students to "see the unseen", thus improving their chemical understanding.