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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the instructional effects of using animations, static figures, PowerPoint bulletins, and e-plus software as chemistry texts with the aid of computer-based technology. This study analyzed the characteristics of students involved in three multimedia courses and their achievement and attitude toward chemistry and learning chemistry. The three samples included in this study involved 257 undergraduate engineering students enrolled in the courses during the academic year in which the study occurred. The results indicate that: (a) students acquired a better understanding of targeted chemistry concepts during the multimedia courses, (b) some categories of students, based on their major area of study, computer use, and attendance status at orientation achieved significantly (p G 0.05) higher post-test scores when adjusted for pre-test performance, and (c) significant differences and Cohen_s effect sizes in attitudes toward chemistry and learning chemistry were detected for students_ level of computer use, disposition toward computer multimedia, gender, and attendance at the multimedia orientation session. It appears to be helpful to incorporate computer-based multimedia (animations, images, sounds) teaching while utilizing constructivist design principles to facilitate students_ chemistry understanding and attitude toward chemistry and learning chemistry.

The use of animated concept mapping (ACM) has been linked to an innovative learning skill when conducting students’ guidance of 4 corresponding reasoning processes in electrochemistry. This research aims to establish a new perspective with ACM cognitive reasoning to broaden students’ individual developments of problem-solving skills. It is followed by a quasi-experimental approach of pre-tests, post-tests and retention-tests designed for 274 qualified college students in Taiwan. All data collected from students’ learning performances and feedback is further analyzed by means of achievement covariance, t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Analytical results reveal that ACM facilitates learning comparisons and out-performances in two groups of students in different post-test and retention-test scores. Students’ positive feedback and learning disposition also provide the predominant advantage for participants’ successful reasoning processes. Pedagogical implications suggest that ACM learning performances result in more significant collaborative reasoning. Key words: animated concept mapping, corresponding reasoning processes, electrochemistry learning performances, problem-solving

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This research focuses on students' 5 hierarchical levels of Ordered Multiple-Choice (OMC) items for their extensive conceptualized understanding in the particulate nature of matter (PNM) chemistry. The basic framework for OMC items is to link students' conceptual understanding levels with possible cognitive responses. Developed as the substantial learning perspective, OMC item approaches benefit students with dominant formulations in directing a new impetus on individual mental constructions. This research attempts to establish the validity and reliability through assessing students' understanding levels. The main methodology of innovative OMC design manifests students' verified responsive accumulations; with 5 hierarchical mental conceptualizations from naive understanding up to complete systemic PNM understanding. OMC findings offer students more choices to determine the most appropriate corresponding answer towards different conceptualization levels and to set their individual responses at the medium understanding levels. All contribution of this research gives students' future perspectives in more collaborative engagements with further administering OMC items.