A Rough Guide to writing web pages for the ExemplarChem

1
A Rough Guide to writing web pages for the
ExemplarChem

• Paul May
• School of Chemistry
• University of Bristol

2
Infrastructure

• Bristol very fortunate since
• All lecture theatres have computer projectors
  network.
• Students are used to seeing lectures
  presentations via computer.
• Students know what makes a good scientific web
  page, and therefore what works and what
  doesnt.
• Dedicated computer rooms, 30-40 PCs for all
  undergrad students.
• Can be used at any time during the day.
• Equipped with web/net access, Chemdraw,
  Frontpage, etc.
• Forward thinking dept that encourages new ideas
  innovation.
• At least one enthusiastic member of staff.

3
Finding the time slot

• No possibility of asking the students to do it
  in their spare time during the year.
• Need 1-2 weeks to do the project properly
• No spare time in lecture schedule
• No chance to replace existing Chemistry modules
  seen as diluting the Chemistry.
• Discovered the 2 week blank period
• 2-3 weeks after the 2nd year exams
• No timetabled work!
• But students had to stay in Bristol waiting
  for their exam results...
• Previous ideas management course,
  entrepreneurial skills ? too costly
• Web project ideal! Educational benefit with
  minimal teaching requirements
• Need one introductory how-to-do-it lecture,
  then leave it to them.

4
Persuading thestudents

• Problem The web project doesnt count towards
  their degree. Must be done voluntarily!
• Alternatives (e.g. staying in bed all day ) are
  appealling...
• Carrot Stick approach

5
Carrot

• Monetary 50 prize from Dept possibility
  of Exemplarchem prize-money
• Communication skills
• Transferable skills (looks good on CV!)
• Makes them stand out at interview from other
  1000 UK graduating chemists.
• Their web pages are all on Bristol website
  stay there for many years.
• World visibility.
• A chance to be creative!
• Molecule of the Month.
• Best web projects not necessarily from best
  academic students.
• Not a chore they get to choose the subject
  style themselves.
• Puts the fun back into chemistry.

6
Stick

• If they dont do the project, No project
  submitted appears on the website.
• Final year project supervisors might see the web
  sites

7
Did it work?

• 130 students
• 2000 12 entries (no year-book entry, no
  precedent).
• 2001 108 entries.
• 2002 70 entries.
• Standard
• Some amazingly classy websites (professional
  software standard!)
• Bristol students have won many of the
  Exemplarchem prizes.
• Students have been offered jobs as a direct
  result of Exemplarchem.
• Student feedback
• Most students thought it was a valuable thing to
  do.
• They liked the self-learning aspects of it.
• Many said they really enjoyed it!
• The students were proud of the websites theyd
  created, and said they had surprised
  themselves!
• Grateful for the opportunity to do something
  novel.

• The best thing we did in Chemistry all
  year
• I learnt more (chemistry) in those 2 weeks
  than I did in the rest of the year

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Why Not You too...?
? ?
? ?

• Other University Chemistry Depts can do this
  too...
• Need - 1 enthusiastic member of staff, - the
  backing of the Dept, - minimal resources...
• Workshops to train co-ordinators (March 19th
  2003)