When Chemical Bonding is Perceived Simple and Interesting: The Design and Development of a Learning Object

Abstract

The concept of chemical bonding is abstract and perceived as difficult. While it is a fundamental concept required to comprehend other chemistry topics, the learning outcomes are not always attained. Addressing this issue, our challenge was to create a learning intervention regarding a common, fundamental chemistry concept for students in a variety of undergraduate chemistry courses. We envisioned a learning product that invites students’ interest yet is challenging. This design case discusses the process, the literature that informs our design decisions, and strategies incorporated into the design of a learning object entitled Making Molecules: Dot Structures and Ionic Compounds to mitigate the learning issue. Discussion on the context of the project, design and development strategies, evaluation, and project reflection is presented as well.