UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION of http://www.fwu.de/akt9711i.htm, a document on the FWU WWW-server, version from Thursday, 11-Dec-97 08:38:46 GMT.

Christian Frosch, Georg Füllen, Thomas Fröhlich, Alexander Sczyrba
Institut für Toxikologie
Universität Mainz
Obere Zahlbacher Str. 67
55131 Mainz
eMail: christian.frosch@uni-mainz.de

Biocomputing for Schools is a multimedia project in the area of Bioinformatics, which exemplifies, for teachers and students of the final classes in highschool, the possibilities of the Internet as an aid in scientific work. Biocomputing for Schools is different from usual multimedia software; it goes a step further displaying the vast possibilities that the worldwide interconnection of knowledge via the Internet offers. Data needed for calculations can be retrieved directly from databases on the Internet, as it is common in today's science. Therefore, data are automatically up-to-date. Biocomputing for Schools fosters learning by playing around, using the scientists' tools, simplifying the transition between school and today's science.

Biocomputing for Schools enables international discussion via Internet fora, on current topics in the area. Minimal entry requirements empower teachers and students to work together countrywide, and beyond national borders, building a foundation for common teaching and learning. An important element of this futuristic telematic form of teaching is implemented: the coaching by facilitators.