Nuffield Advanced Chemistry: Programmed Texts

The Nuffield Advanced Chemistry resources were developed at a time when there was considerable interest in programmed learning. The team decided to experiment with a limited range of programmed texts. An introduction to the Programmed Texts is provided in Appendix 6 of Teachers’ Guide II.

The initial objectives of the work on programmed learning were:

1. To produce a number of programmed texts which could form an integral part of the course.

2. To include at least one programme which uses the Nuffield approach to experimental work by investigation.

3. To show that these programmes filled a need', and would be welcomed by teachers within the Nuffield Trials. The conclusions from trials of the texts was sufficiently positive for the project to prepare and publish four titles. However there was limited uptake of the texts after publication and they were discontinued when the course was revised.

Contents 

Each programme contained:

1. A number of separate programmed sections, which include optional' branches'. Some of these branches were intended as remedial work, others as extension work to widen students' general background knowledge and understanding.

2. Summaries for each section with references to programmed sections.

3. Review problems for each section (essentially 'post-tests '). Optional problems were also included.

4. Answers to review problems with explanatory notes and a marking scheme.

5. Remedial programmed exercises to be worked through by students who failed to reach a specified standard in their answers to review problems.

6. Extension material (some not in programmed form). This extends the general scope of the texts and varies to some extent in each case.