This article describes the methodology used to develop and implement an on-line introductory chemistry course with a hands-on lab component for non-science majors. Specific features of the course management system (CMS), such as GradeMark from the “Turnitin” plug in and the active link feature at the submission text box were used to facilitate adoption of the on-line course in a large enrollment course format. In addition to issues related to safety, one of the biggest challenges of offering a hands-on lab component for a fully on-line course is validation of an individual’s performance of laboratory exercises. This challenge is overcome by requiring students to submit recorded videos for specific steps in the experiments. A detailed summary of this process is discussed, along with results from course surveys conducted at the end of the course.
Karno Ng (Sun,) studied this question.