Introductory chemistry's (Chem 2C's) lab format earned finalist honors during the recent Macromedia MAX award. The awards were presented at the Macromedia conference in Salt Lake City in November to recognize "excellent, innovative and result-proven projects built with Macromedia technology."

The online lab also was handpicked to be exhibited at the conference.

A collaboaration between the chemistry department and UC Davis Mediaworks, the lab is credited with promoting a more effective learning environment.

Previously, teaching assistants prefaced chemistry labs with a 30-minute introduction to the guidelines and safety procedures. The students would then do the lab exercise and go home to write up a report.

Now, with the online Chem 2C program, the TAs no longer deliver the pre-lab monologue. Instead, students log onto the course Web site and enter a virtual pre-lab using Cold Fusion and Flash technology. The pre-lab includes video of people demonstrating how the lab exercise works, and graphical representations of key concepts. As evidence of completing the pre-lab, students take an online quiz at least one hour prior to their lab.

The system offers multiple benefits, says chemistry professor emeritus Bill Fink, who, along with chemistry lecturer Diane Meador, originally helped provide content for the online lab. Teaching assistants can spend more time helping students during the in-person lab. Also, class time is reduced so that more classes can be scheduled, and students who need to take chemistry courses can be better accommodated.

"The role of the TA and the role of the student are changing," Fink said. "The TAs are now much more mentors than evaluators."

The post-lab report has also gone online, and plans are to expand the lab with 3-D simulations.