Teaching Procedural Skills in Atomic Absorption and Atomic Emission Spectrometry Using a Simulator Designed with Excel Spreadsheets to Upper-Division Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The development and application of a simulator designed with Excel spreadsheets to teach procedural skills in atomic absorption spectrometry and atomic emission spectrometry are proposed. For the development of the simulator, different analytical procedures were followed including analysis of pharmaceutical, forensic, and environmental samples. The simulator worksheets enable the students to modify the instrumental conditions (such as type of gas, gas flow, lamp, and wavelength), prepare reagents, standards, and samples, obtain the analytical signals, and perform data analysis and results. The learning activity was tested by 71 students enrolled in the Instrumental Analytical Chemistry I subject and was delivered through a virtual platform environment. Students completed and submitted the activity guide and the Simulator's file. Student feedback demonstrated greater skills in handling MS Excel and instrumentation, operation, and applications of the analytical techniques included in the simulator. In addition, the application of the simulator as a learning activity provided an excellent opportunity to enhance students' understanding of the fundamentals, instrumentation, and application of some spectroscopic techniques.

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