Polarímetro virtual: desenvolvimento, utilização e avaliação de um software educacional

Abstract

Recebido em 13/2/12; aceito em 26/4/12; publicado na web em 3/8/12 VIRTUAL POLARIMETER: DEVELOPMENT, USE AND EVALUATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE APPLICATION. Optical activity is the ability of chiral substances to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light and is measured using an instrument called a polarimeter. An educational software application to explore, both interactively and visually, the concepts related to polarimetry to facilitate their understanding was developed. The software was field-tested and a questionnaire evaluating the graphics interface, usability and the software as an educational tool, was answered by students. The results characterized the computer application developed as an auxiliary tool for assisting teachers in lectures and students in the learning process.