Educational layout and Teaching menu
Short answer: Click the graduation cap button in the top bar to open the Teaching menu. It switches the Educational layout, Show errors, Error tooltips, Lewis structure, Free sketch mode and the next atom preview. The same switches are in Settings, General.
MolDraw has two screen layouts. Scientific shows every button. Educational shows two compact rows and one tool column with the rings in it. Menus hold everything else. The Teaching menu puts the classroom switches one click away.
- Click the Teaching button (a graduation cap) in the top bar, next to the theme and grid buttons.
- Click a row to switch it on or off. The switch on the right shows the state.
- Click All teaching settings… to open Settings at the General page.
- Press Esc or click outside the menu to close it.
Every switch in the Teaching menu#
| Row | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Educational | Switches the layout between Educational (on) and Scientific (off) | Off (Scientific) |
| Show errors | Marks atoms with too many bonds and unclear stereo | On |
| Error tooltips | Explains a marked atom when you hover or tap it. Shows only while Show errors is on. | On |
| Lewis structure | Shows every atom, every hydrogen and the lone pairs | Off (Skeletal formula) |
| Free sketch mode | Relaxes the chemistry rules so you can draw anything | Off |
| Preview the next atom | Shows a faint bond and atom where the next click adds an atom | On in Scientific, off in Educational |
Each switch has its own page: Show errors, Lewis structure and Free sketch mode.
Defaults per layout#
The layout changes only one teaching default. Preview the next atom is on in Scientific and off in Educational, so beginners see a clean canvas. If you switch it yourself, your choice stays in both layouts. All other switches keep the same value when you change layout.
What the Educational layout changes#
- The header shows two compact rows instead of the full Scientific chrome.
- The tools sit in one column on the left, and the rings join that column.
- The menu at the left of the tools row holds My designs, Copy SMILES, Paste SMILES and file actions.
- Undo, redo, clean up, 3D, zoom and download stay on screen.
Your drawing does not change. You can switch layout at any time, even in the middle of a drawing. For themes and a side by side look at both layouts, see Themes and layouts.
In Settings#
Open Settings, then General:
- Appearance has Layout with Scientific and Educational pictures.
- Teaching has Structure display, Free sketch mode and its five rules, Show errors, Error tooltips and Preview the next atom.
The free sketch rules are only in Settings, not in the Teaching menu. Settings are saved in this browser.
Tips for a class#
- Turn on Educational and Show errors before a lesson. Students see fewer buttons and get hints on mistakes.
- Switch on Lewis structure to check a drawing, then switch it off to see the skeletal formula again.
- Use inductive arrows and partial charges for polarity lessons.
Common problems#
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No graduation cap in the top bar | On a phone or small window the button is hidden. Open Settings, then General, and use the Teaching group. |
| The layout does not change on a phone | The Educational layout applies on larger screens. Phones always use the mobile layout. See phone and tablet use. |
| The settings are back to default | Settings are saved per browser. A private window or cleared site data resets them. |
Questions and answers
How do I switch MolDraw to the Educational layout?
Click the graduation cap button in the top bar and switch on Educational. Or open Settings, General and pick Educational under Layout.
What is the difference between Scientific and Educational layout?
Scientific shows every button. Educational shows two compact rows and one tool column, and moves the rest into menus. Your drawing stays the same.
Where are the teaching settings in MolDraw?
Open Settings, then General, and find the Teaching group. The Teaching button in the top bar has the most used switches.
Do teaching settings apply for my students too?
Settings are saved in each browser. Each student turns them on in their own browser.
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