From Abstract to Manipulatable: The Hybridization Explorer, A Digital Interactive for Studying Orbitals

Abstract

As digital educational media use becomes more widespread, an opportunity exists to develop new methods to present abstract ideas to provide a more meaningful learning experience. Drawing from psychology and dynamic visualization research, new interactive tools can be thoughtfully designed but it is also necessary to establish how these media are used and to study the effects the new interactive tools have on concept understanding. In this technology report, we present the Hybridization Explorer, a web-based interactive learning tool for manipulating and experimenting with hybridization concepts. The explorer has three modes of use to explore both the combination of atomic orbitals, and the visual representation of both atomic and hybrid orbitals and corresponding bond formation. Case studies from an undergraduate- and graduate-level demonstration of the explorer are described. Finally, self-reported student confidence levels on solving hybridization questions both before and after use of the explorer are analyzed and discussed.