Teaching Undergraduate Chemistry by Distance and Online: Lessons from the Front Line

Abstract

At the University of New England, in regional Australia, it is possible to complete a science-based bachelor's degree by distance. We first began teaching chemistry by distance in 1992 and over the past 20 years have gained immeasurable experience in delivering distance courses, working with distance students, and covering laboratory content. In this chapter, we outline some of the key issues that must be considered and addressed before the successful delivery of an online or distance chemistry program can be considered. These are the combined thoughts and experiences of chemistry practitioners at the front line of delivering distance tertiary chemistry education.