Designing an undergraduate laboratory course in general chemistry

From an analysis of a learning model based on the theory of information processing four hypothesis were developed for improving the design of laboratory courses. Three of these hypotheses concerned specific procedures to minimise the load on students' working memories (or working spaces) and the fourth hypothesis was concerned with the value of mini-projects in enhancing meaningful learning of the knowledge and skills underpinning the set experiments. A three-year study of a first year undergraduate chemistry laboratory course at a Scottish university has been carried out to test these four hypotheses. This paper reports the results of the study relevant to the three hypotheses about the burden on students' working spaces. It was predicted from the learning model that the load on students working space should be reduced by appropriate changes to the written instructions and the laboratory organisation and by the introduction of prelab-work and prelab-training in laboratory techniques. It was concluded from research conducted over the three years period that all these hypothesised changes were effective both in reducing the load on students' working spaces and in improving their attitudes to the laboratory course.

Do general chemistry textbooks facilitate conceptual understanding?

Research in chemistry education has recognized the need for facilitating students' understanding of different concepts. In contrast, most general chemistry curricula and textbooks not only ignore the context in which science progresses but also emphasize rote learning and algorithmic strategies. A historical reconstruction of scientific progress shows that it inevitably leads to controversy and debate, which can arouse students' interest and thus facilitate understanding. The objective of this article is to review research related to the evaluation of general chemistry textbooks (based on history and philosophy of science, HPS) and suggest alternatives that can facilitate conceptual understanding.

INVESTIGATING THE PRESENCE OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE IN UNIVERSITY GENERAL CHEMISTRY TEXTBOOKS

INVESTIGATING THE PRESENCE OF THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE IN UNIVERSITY GENERAL CHEMISTRY TEXTBOOKS. This paper aims at analyzing the history of science content of three general chemistry textbooks used in Brazilian universities: the translations of Kotz and Treichel's Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity, Atkins and Jones's Chemical Principles, and Garritz and Chamizo's Quimica. Results revealed different trends for the inclusion of history of science in chemistry teaching. Katz & Treichel and Atkins & Jones used history mainly as curiosity and ornament. Garritz & Chamizo adopted the historical approach as one of the organizing axis of their textbook. Nevertheless, the historical content of the three textbooks may be criticized from current historiographical standpoint.

Laboratory exercises in general chemistry,

Mode of access: Internet.

A laboratory manual of general chemistry for use in colleges,

Mode of access: Internet.

Lecture notes on general chemistry.

Cover title: Chemistry lecture notes, non metals.

Laboratory course in general chemistry at the University of Virginia /

pt. I. A study of typical reactions and the properties of compounds.

Syllabus of a course of lectures on general chemistry.

Mode of access: Internet.

Outline of laboratory work in general chemistry at the University of Virginia, 1916-1917.

Mode of access: Internet.

Experimental general chemistry, with problems

Another version published under title: Laboratory studies and problems in general chemistry.

A laboratory manual of general chemistry.

Mode of access: Internet.

Lecture on General Chemistry

Daybook, image #66

Progressive problems in general chemistry,

Mode of access: Internet.

Recent advances in general chemistry.

Mode of access: Internet.

Introduction to general chemistry. A graded course of one hundred lectures with an atlas of eighty plates, representing chemists, institutions, prime materials, crystals, diagrams and apparatus; and illustrations in the text

Mode of access: Internet.