Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
The Use of Applets in an
Engineering Chemistry Course:
Advantages and New Ideas
B.M. Trigo
Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil
G.S. Olguin
Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil
P.H.L.S. Matai
Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil
ABStrAct
This chapter deals with the use of Applets, which are examples of software applications, combined
with a specific methodology of teaching, based on Paulo Freire's education concepts. According to his
methods, co-creation between its participants is fundamental for the effectiveness of learning process. In
that way, to promote a cooperative learning, the Applet should have interactive features. The Chemistry
course of Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, in which students take in the first semester
of the first year of the engineering course, was the case study. First, a research with the teachers of the
Chemical Engineering Department was carried out, to identify the main problems and difficulties teach-
ers and students face. Then, a topic was selected to be explored with the Applet, which was developed
and applied to a small group of students. To identify the success of this experiment a questionnaire was
created and the results are presented in this chapter. Some conclusions were drawn and the interactive
features of the Applet received a positive feedback.
IntroductIon
of computing in a certain area or activity, barriers
and difficulties can be overcome. Consequently,
new paradigms, possibilities and challenges are
created.
In education it is not different, computing is
more and more present, assisting the learning pro-
cess in a variety of ways, creating new challenges
Since the sprouting of the personal computers,
around 1980, computer science has been gaining
importance, becoming a supporting instrument for
other daily activities of ours. With the introduction
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