Harjoitustöiden vertaisarviointi opetusvälineenä

Harjoitustöiden vertaisarvioinnissa opiskelijat tarkastavat toistensa töitä ja antavat niistä palautteen annettujen ohjeiden mukaan. Yleensä opiskelijoille annetaan tätä tehtävää tukemaan tietty joukko arviointikriteereitä, joiden osalta työtä ainakin on kommentoitava. Vertaisarviointi voi antaa opiskelijoille monipuolisempaa palautetta kuin ilman sitä olisi mahdollista, mahdollisuuden tehtävien vaihtoehtoisiin ratkaisuihin tutustumiseen sekä kokemusta ongelmanratkaisun analyyttisestä ja kriittisestä tarkastelusta. Lisäksi vertaisarviointi voi tukea opettajien työtä helpottamalla riittävän palautteen antamista opiskelijoille ja antamalla jonkinlaista kuvaa opiskelijoiden näkemyksistä tehtävän aihealueeseen liittyen. Tämän työn tavoitteena on selvittää, mitä mainituista vertaisarviointiin liitetyistä hyödyistä voidaan todellisuudessa saavuttaa ohjelmointipainotteisilla kursseilla. Ohjelmointikurssin opiskelijat arvioivat kurssiin kuuluvien harjoitustöiden yhteydessä toistensa ratkaisuja yhteen tehtävistä. Opiskelijoille suunnatulla kyselyllä pyritään kartoittamaan, kuinka hyvin vertaisarvioinnille asetetut tavoitteet toteutuvat. Kokemuksia opettajan näkökulmasta selvitetään haastattelujen avulla. Testauksen toteutuksessa käytetään verkkosovellusta, johon opiskelijat tallentavat omat työnsä, josta he lataavat itselleen määrätyt työt arvioitavaksi, johon he tallentavat arvionsa ja jonka kautta he lopulta saavat palautteen omasta työstään.

Síntese do isobutileno e seu emprego em reações de esterificação: propostas de aulas práticas de química orgânica para a graduação

An experiment for the synthesis of isobutylene from tert-butanol dehydratation using oxalic acid as catalyst, followed by preparations of tert-butyl benzoate and tert-butyl cinnamate is described. The synthesis are simple, requiring two periods of 4 hours and are suitable for undergraduate organic chemistry experimental courses.

Quatro décadas de química na UNESP/Araraquara

This article describes the history of four decades of activities in the Institute of Chemistry of Araraquara, UNESP: the beginning, the evolution of undergraduate and graduate courses and the infra-structure of teaching and research.

Craqueamento térmico de alcanos: uma aula prática de química orgânica para a graduação

In this work we describe an experiment for the thermal cracking of octane and heptane and the qualitative analyses of the products using the Baeyer test for unsaturated compounds and gas chromatographic analyses. The experiment is very simple and requires one period of two hours and is suitable for undergraduate organic chemistry experimental courses.

Metodologías de enseñanza y aprendizaje reflexivos en la universidad. Una investigación centrada en la percepción de estudiantes de grado de la Universidad de Girona

The aim of the research presented in this article is to understand undergraduate students’ appraisal of the influence of reflective learning methodology in different aspects of their learning, and to obtain evidence of the main difficulties encountered by students and the main contributions of this kind of methodology into their learning process. The study was conducted in four different degree courses (Social education, Environmental sciences, Nursing, and Psychology) at the University of Girona Through the development of a self-report reflective learning questionnaire and its application to 162 students who participated in the experiences, we conclude that reflective learning can be positively assessed as having great potential to train university undergraduates

A graduação em química: um novo químico para uma nova era

The discussions sponsored by the Brazilian Chemical Society, over the past five years, intending to produce a chemistry agenda with perspectives and needs for the next decade for the country, have involved the national chemistry community and several related sectors of Brazilian society. Chemistry education has been the theme throughout these discussions. It is known that the low level of basic and secondary education and the recent increase in high school courses and institutions adversely affect the quality of undergraduate teaching. The recent national "Curriculum Guidelines" for Chemistry Courses, through their flexible approach, encourage the integral, interdisciplinary (non compartmentalized) and critical-reflexive training of professionals as citizens and as entrepreneurs. However, deficiencies are still recognized. The system of undergraduate course evaluation has identified the most fragile modalities of the courses and other indicators. Also, it has been verified that the Brazilian chemistry industry absorbs only minimally the highly qualified professionals, which is attributed to the fact that the Federal Council of Chemistry is vertically organized and does not recognize the graduate degrees as professional qualifications. In conclusion, the importance of the effective implantation of the national curriculum guidelines is apparent, among other aspects, highlighting courses whose didactical and pedagogical projects may offer a solid formation in Chemistry. However, at the same time the guidelines are comprehensive and general enough to enable the chemistry professionals to develop varied skills.

Qual é o perfil do profissional de química que está sendo formado? Esse é o perfil de que a sociedade necessita?

In this paper, we present and discuss the chemist's education profile in Brazil from the points of view of the academy and the industry. We emphasize that the chemistry courses need urgently to face the following challenge: to improve the undergraduate's interdisciplinary approach, management abilities and interpersonal relationships.

A importância da Química Analítica Qualitativa nos cursos de Química das instituições de ensino superior brasileiras

The results of a survey of institutions offering undergraduate studies, with the objective of evaluating the importance of Qualitative Analytical Chemistry for Chemistry courses in Brazil, are presented and discussed. Judging by the data, the content of the course of Qualitative Analytical Chemistry is considered by the Brazilian institutions offering undergraduate studies to be a body of knowledge essential for the formation of the chemist. This aspect is deemed valid for both baccalaureate and teaching license studies.

Integração de técnicas analíticas e proposta de experimentos para cursos de graduação em análise instrumental: uso de espectrômetro de absorção atômica para medidas de absorção molecular

Simple experiments are proposed for measuring molecular absorption of chromate and dichromate ions using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The experiments can help undergraduate students in instrumental analysis courses understand important aspects involving conceptual and instrumental similarities and differences between frequently used analytical techniques. Hollow cathode lamps were selected with wavelengths in the region of molecular absorption of chromate and dichromate. Calibration curves were obtained and the linear dynamic range was evaluated. Results were compared with those obtained in a molecular absorption spectrometer. The molar absorptivities obtained were also compared.

Estudos de caso em química

The case-study method of instruction is increasing in popularity and instructors of various scientific disciplines are adopting this method for their courses. Its effectiveness suggests that there is a need for such resources to be used in chemistry education. In this paper we describe this method in detail and present our use of cases in a scientific communication course offered to undergraduate chemistry students at the University of São Paulo. The description of the method and the example of its use may be helpful for faculty members who wish to explore new ways to engage students more deeply in their learning and to reinvigorate their own teachig practice.

Investigating university students' adaptation to digital learner course portfolio

Digital learner portfolios are of growing importance in higher education as the sector seeks new teaching-learning-assessment methods which promote students" autonomy as managers of their own virtual learning environment. The purpose of this study was to analyse descriptively the undergraduate students" perceptions, attitudes and behaviour when using an eportfolio to support their learning and assessment in practice based courses at two traditional Spanish universities. The participants were 88 students, who were studying through a blended learning mode. Data were collected through questionnaires: a computer experience survey, another which examined the psychological, pedagogical and technological dimensions of eportfolios use. Further, an individual overall reflection was obtained from each student to help gain an understanding of their experiences of using the eportfolio. A mixed-method analysis was applied in order to study the impact of this technological innovation on students and their satisfaction. The results showed that the students had positive opinions and self-efficiency through the eportfolio as a tool to manage their learning and assessment during a semester, especially from the second month of use. However, the expected impact on their learning was not so significant. Nevertheless, the students emphasised that the eportfolio was valuable as a personal developmental learning tool.

Construindo o conhecimento através de projetos de trabalho: uma experiência no curso de química da universidade estadual de Santa Cruz

In this work, we describe a pedagogical experiment using work projects in chemistry undergraduate programs in general chemistry and inorganic chemistry courses making learning more dynamic and consolidating the link between students and the external community. We highlight as fundamental outcomes the improvement in the learning process and, above all, the active participation of the students in investigation and problem-solving activities.

Avaliação de uma proposta contextualizada sobre o ensino de polarimetria nos cursos de farmácia e engenharia de alimentos, na Universidade Federal do Ceará

This work deals with an evaluation of an experimental application about polarimetry for pharmacy and food engineering courses. Foods obtained from the undergraduate students were used for demonstrating multidisciplinary concepts and these concepts were associated to the teaching of polarimetry. According to the results, the benefits of the contextualization are beyond the class and the undergraduating students became interested in control of quality of foods. From these results, it can be concluded that the experimental emphasis given is valid and creates motivation and interest for learning physico-chemistry, in comparison with the traditional methodology applied to teach polarimetry.

Aceite de almendras dulces: extracción, caracterización y aplicación

The extraction of sweet almond oil at room temperature and reflux is an easy and accessible procedure to obtain natural oil in a laboratory scale for undergraduates' courses in chemistry and related areas. In this paper we show how the utilization of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy can be interesting in the qualitative analysis of these oils. We also propose the preparation of three different skin creams to demonstrate the effective uses of sweet almond oil in cosmetics and pharmaceutical fields.

Extração e purificação de clorofila a, da alga Spirulina maxima: um experimento para os cursos de química

This work describes a simple and economical experiment for the extraction and purification of chlorophyll a from Spirulina maxima. Extraction and purification of natural compounds can be considered one of the most illustrative experiments that can be performed in Organic Chemistry courses. Particularly, the chromatography of dyes and pigments allows students to have a better comprehension of the chromatography separations. These compounds represent an important class of organic pigments applied in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, detergent compositions, and various other fields and can be extracted from plants and algae. To extract, separate and purify chlorophyll a from associated pigments such as xanthophylls, carotenes, and pheophytins, very costly processes are reported. The present approach is perfectly adequate for use in Chemistry experiments for undergraduate students.