A computerized system for the submission of quantitative analysis

A Computerized System for the Submission of Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Results We have developed a series of FORTRAN IV programs which allow students to submit their quantitative analysis laboratory results directly to the local UNIVAC 1106 computer via demand terminals. For each data set the computer calculates the correct result and rounds it to the proper number of significant figures. If the student's submitted result does not amee to the comouter's calculation to within one nart oer thousand the student is asked to resubmit the correct answer. Afrernll results h a w lwenenterd nwrenly therornpurer w i t e s a copy ro theinsrrurrw's prrmanrrlt file. The initrucror rhen ures a separate program tu retrieve the data and results and to calrulare each srudenr'a relative rrror t n m the rrus value. Our system combines the qualities of several of the kmputerized quantitative analysis grading aids already described,' but we have found that having the computer require the student to submit each result correctly is effective educationally. The student must actually learn how to perform the calculations correctly. We have incorporated other features into our programs to make them more helpful to the students. We now allow the student to report a value other than the average as the best value, thus making it possible to reject an outlying result. For the standardization of certain reagents (e.g., NaOH, KMnOd the computer requires the student to calculate the relative average deviation of hisiher determinations. If the relative deviation is greater than three parts per thousand, the student is informed that more titrations need to be performed during the next laboratory period. We hope that in future work the student will be able to decide for himiherself when extra determinations are needed. Completed sets of programs are available for the following experiments: (1) Review of Laboratory Techniques, (2) Gravimetric Determination of Nickel, (3) Standardization of NaOH, (4) Determination of Total Cation Concentration by Ion Exchange, (5) Permanganometric Determination of Iron, (6)Complexometric Determination of Nickel. Copies of all programs are available from the authors. ~

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~ r e s e n t e 7 - tthe 7th ACS Northeast RePional Meetitins. SUNY. Alhanv. New York. Aneust 9.197fi.

Florida International University Miami, 33199

94 I Journal of ChsmicalEducatlon

Kathryn R. Williams Zaida C. Martinez