Navigate to the following areas:

• EKU resources: general information and links to course and lab websites
• Research interests: a summary of Dr. Tofan's research interests
• Projects: links to current research projects
• Publications: a list of up-to-date articles, presentations and posters

 

Dr. Tofan's research interests are mainly in Chemical Education and computers. The following are the current research projects open to students:

1. The Periodic Table Database: We are creating a repository for the properties of the chemical elements as a Microsoft Access database. A relational database is created and contains tables dedicated to specific types of properties of the elements. The database will be a source of data for a multitude of formats: HTML, XML, PDF, JavaScript, etc.
2. Attrition rates in chemistry: Attrition rates in chemistry courses are determined by analyzing databases provided by Institutional Research. Causes of attrition need to be investigated through student interviews and surveys. A successful placement tool will be developed based on research and previous results.
3. Collaborative learning using worksheets: Collaborative learning in-class is a better teaching method than traditional lecturing. Students will be working on problem sets instead of listening only, which engages them in the teaching process. Small groups will facilitate learning and peer leaders will help students understand the chemistry concepts.
4. Demo of the week: I am interested in creating a series of demonstrations for various topics of general chemistry. Ideally, each new topic will have a short demo to illustrate the chemistry behind the theory and problem solving. Laboratory work will be a major part of this research. Demonstrations will be tested and presented in class.
5. The Chemical Thermometer: I am building a "chemical thermometer". The color shift in aqueous solutions of certain transition metals will be studied as a function of temperature.
6. Electronic data collection in chemistry laboratories: Data collection in labs using probes is seeing increased use. New experiments need to be created to take advantage of this technology. Interpreting laboratory data can lead to a better understanding of chemistry concepts.
7. Instructional material development: I am always developing new materials for teaching chemistry. This may include questions and problems, topic summaries, tutorials, drawings, diagrams, etc. Even web programming can be an area to explore.

Download Dr. Tofan's research brochure to read more about each project and how you can get involved.

Periodic table

• Periodic table (HTML version and each element on a letter size sheet)
• Printable periodic table (letter size, legal size)

ChemWhiz

• Intelligent chemistry assessment software (under construction)

LabWhiz

• Intelligent laboratory assessment software (under construction)

ChEdML

• Chemical Education Markup Language (under construction)

Java based tools:

• Quadratic equation solver

Articles (print and online)

1. Daniel C. Tofan: "An online course on Computers in Chemical Education", CONFCHEM Newsletter Fall 2008: Using Computers in Chemical Education
2. Daniel C. Tofan: "The Periodic Table Database project", CONFCHEM Newsletter Fall 2008: Using Computers in Chemical Education
3. Daniel C. Tofan, "Saving energy in the chemistry teaching process and improving student learning", Journal of College Science Teaching, accepted
4. Daniel C. Tofan: "Drawing chemical equipment with Adobe Illustrator. Part III: Gradients, retouching, and more objects", Computing in Science and Engineering", in print (Mar.-Apr. 2009 issue)
5. Daniel C. Tofan: "Drawing chemical equipment with Adobe Illustrator. Part II: Creating and modifying shapes", Computing in Science and Engineering", in print (Jan.-Feb. 2009 issue)
6. Daniel C. Tofan: "Drawing chemical equipment with Adobe Illustrator. Part I: Basic drawing and selection tools", Computing in Science and Engineering", 2008, 10(6), 100-102
7. Daniel C. Tofan, "A New Course on Computers in Chemical Education", International Conference in Chemical Education, Virtual Conference paper 006, Mauritius, 1-25 July 2008
8. Jennifer Imel and Daniel C. Tofan, "Attrition Rates in General Chemistry. Correlations with Test Scores and Predictability of Success", International Conference in Chemical Education, Virtual Conference paper 007, Mauritius, 1-25 July 2008
9. Jennifer Imel and Daniel C. Tofan, "The Periodic Table of the Elements as a Database. Computer Generation of Multiple Formats", International Conference in Chemical Education, Virtual Conference paper 004, Mauritius, 1-25 July 2008
10. Jennifer Imel and Daniel C. Tofan, "Collaborative Learning Through Worksheet-based Problem Solving", International Conference in Chemical Education, Virtual Conference paper 003, Mauritius, 1-25 July 2008
11. Daniel C. Tofan: "The Periodic Table - Database or XML?": Chemistry International, 2008, 30(3), 24-26
12. Susan Godbey, Tom Otieno, and Daniel Tofan: "Open laboratories in college science": Handbook of College Science Teaching, 2006, p. 87-92
13. Daniel C. Tofan: "Towards an automated introductory chemistry open lab": online article published in the CONFCHEM Fall 2005 Newsletter
14. Daniel C. Tofan: "The need for XML in Chemical Education": Chemistry International, 2004, 26(4), 16-18
15. Daniel C. Tofan: "XML for Chemical Education": Fall 2003 Newsletter of the Committee for Computers in Chemical Education, ACS Division for Chemical Education (9/25/2003)
16. Daniel C. Tofan: "Pushing JButtonGroup - Build a better ButtonGroup" - JavaWorld (9/19/2003)
17. Troy Wolfskill, Daniel Tofan, Amy Fong, and David Hanson: "LUCID: A Web-Based Learning and Assessment System": Conferences in Chemistry by the ACS Division of Chemical Education (4/18/2003); co-authors: Troy Wolfskill and David M. Hanson
18. Daniel C. Tofan, Michael H. Dickman and Joseph E. Earley, Sr."Molecular Structure of the Seven-Coordinate Aqua-N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine-triacetatotitanium (III) and Aqua-(N-ethoxy)-ethylenediamine-triacetatotitanium(IV)": Inorganica Chimica Acta, 2001, 319, 63-66
19. Joseph E. Earley, Sr., Giulio A. Amadei, and Daniel C. Tofan: "Reduction of Perchlorate Ion by Titanous Ions in Ethanolic Solution": chapter in the book "Perchlorate in the Environment" : Plenum Press, New York, 2000, 89-97; co-authors: Joseph E. Earley, Sr. and Giulio A. Amadei
20. Joseph E. Earley, Sr., Giulio A. Amadei, and Daniel C. Tofan: "Reduction of Perchlorate Ion by Titanous Ions in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Media", in "Perchlorate Treatment Technology Workshop", 5th Annual Joint Services Pollution Prevention & Hazardous Waste Management Conference & Exhibition, August 21-24, 2000, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas; co-authors: Joseph E. Earley, Sr. and Giulio A. Amadei

Presentations and posters

1. "The Periodic Table Database. Conversion to multiple formats" - presented by Jennifer Imel (co-author) at the 2008 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, University of Kentucky, November 1, 2008; won 2nd place in the Computer Science section undergraduate competition
2. "Collaborative learning through worksheet based problem solving" - presented by Jennifer Imel (co-author) at the 2008 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, University of Kentucky, November 1, 2008
3. "Attrition rates in chemistry at EKU" - presented by Jessica B. Smith (co-author) at the 2008 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, University of Kentucky, November 1, 2008
4. "Automating the management of an introductory chemistry open lab at EKU" - presented by Jessica B. Smith (co-author) at the 2008 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, University of Kentucky, November 1, 2008
5. "Chemical thermometer: Illustrating Le Chatelier’s principle" - presented by Jennifer Imel (co-author) at the 2008 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, University of Kentucky, November 1, 2008
6. "Laboratory practicum in general chemistry" - presented by Jennifer Imel (co-author) at the 2008 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Science, University of Kentucky, November 1, 2008
7. "New course on Computers in Chemical Education" - presented at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 28 July 2008
8. "Java mastery learning tool for chemical formulas and nomenclature" - presented at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 27 July 2008
9. "Collaborative learning through worksheet based problem solving" - presented by Jennifer Imel (co-author) at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 31 July 2008
10. "Study on attrition rates in general chemistry at EKU" - presented by Jessica Smith (co-author) at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 30 July 2008
11. "The Periodic Table of the Elements in XML and database format" - presented by Jennifer Imel (co-author) at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 28 July 2008
12. "Automating the management of an introductory chemistry open lab" - presented by Jessica Smith (co-author) at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 28 July 2008
13. "Website for learning nomenclature in general chemistry" - presented by Terry Price (co-author) at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 27 July 2008
14. "Using Adobe Captivate to create LoggerPro tutorials for General Chemistry labs" - presented by Santosh Datta (co-author) at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 27 July 2008
15. "Chemical thermometer: Illustrating Le Chatelier's principle" - at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 28 July 2008 (co-author: Andrew Jauquet)
16. "Laboratory practicum in general chemistry" - at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 28 July 2008 (co-author:Jennifer Imel)
17. "Using the Virtual Lab to learn solubility rules" - at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 29 July 2008 (co-author: Jeffrey Struss)
18. "Learn about the elements: A new look at the periodic table" - at the 20th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Indiana University, Bloomington IN, 30 July 2008 (co-author: Jennifer Imel)
19. "A visual Periodic Table of the Elements": Daniel C. Tofan and Jennifer Imel, University of Kentucky Undergraduate Research Poster Session, April 18, 2008
20. "Attrition rates in General Chemistry at EKU. Effectiveness of various tests as placement tools and correlation with student grades": Jennifer Imel, Jessica Smith and Daniel Tofan, University of Kentucky Undergraduate Research Poster Session, April 18, 2008 (won Honorable Mention)
21. "A visual Periodic Table of the Elements": Daniel C. Tofan and Jennifer Imel, EKU Undergraduate poster showcase, April 11, 2008
22. "Attrition rates in General Chemistry at EKU. Effectiveness of various tests as placement tools and correlation with student grades": Jennifer Imel, Jessica Smith and Daniel Tofan, EKU Undergraduate poster showcase, April 11, 2008
23. "Towards a computer-managed introductory chemistry open lab" - presented at the 19th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (July 2006)
24. "Towards an automated introductory chemistry open lab" - presented at ChemEd 2005, Vancouver, British Columbia (1-3 August 2005)
25. "ChemWhiz - an intelligent chemistry teaching and testing tool" - presented at ChemEd 2005, Vancouver, British Columbia (1-3 August 2005)
26. "A markup language for chemical education" - presented at ChemEd 2005, Vancouver, British Columbia (1-3 August 2005)
27. "ChemWhiz - an intelligent chemistry teaching and testing tool" - presented at the 18th Biennial Conference in Chemical Education, Ames, Iowa (18-22 July 2004)
28. "Chemical Education Markup Language (ChEdML®) - An XML namespace for educational chemistry software" - presented at the 227th ACS meeting in Anaheim, California (March-April 2004)
29. "ChemWhiz - an intelligent chemistry teaching tool" - presented at the 227th ACS meeting in Anaheim, California (March-April 2004)
30. "LUCID: Web-based team learning and real-time multilevel assessment for introductory chemistry" -presented at the 227th ACS meeting in Anaheim, California (March-April 2004)
31. "XML for Chemical Information: Educational needs and examples from a student response analysis system" - Sci-Mix poster and oral paper delivered at the 226th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New York, September 7-11, 2003
32. "Rapid reduction of perchlorate ion by titanium (III) in ethanol" - poster presented at the ACS National meetings in New Orleans (August 1999) and Washington DC (August 2000)

Patents

• "Novel method for rapid reduction of perchlorate ions in ethanolic media": patent registered with Georgetown University (August 2000); co-authors: Joseph E. Earley, Sr. and Giulio A. Amadei