Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS)

DoITPoMS About DoITPoMS

About DoITPoMS

History

DoITPoMS (Dissemination of IT for the promotion of Materials Science) was set up in 2000, as a joint venture involving the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge, and five partner institutions: Institute for Materials Research, University of Leeds; London Metropolitan Polymer Centre, London Metropolitan University; Manchester Materials Science Centre, University of Manchester/UMIST; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oxford Brookes University; Department of Engineering Materials, University of Sheffield. Close links existed with the UK Centre for Materials Education and with the MATTER project, both based at the University of Liverpool.

The original funding for the project was provided by the Fund for the development of Teaching and Learning (FDTL). The UK Centre for Materials Education (UKCME) also supported a number of specific developments in subsequent years.

The purpose of the project was to build on recognised expertise in the use of Information Technology (IT) in enhancing the student learning experience in Cambridge and to disseminate these techniques within the Materials Education community in the UK. This was done by:

  • Creating a substantial archive of background information, digital video clips, photomicrographs etc, to be available during experimental sessions and on-line for subsequent student analysis of results.

  • Creating a library of exemplar teaching and learning packages (TLPs) covering common topics and making use of video clips and other material from the primary archive.

This work continues today with new materials developed during annual summer schools and other enhancements made to existing materials throughout the year.