Interactive Computer Visualization in the Introductory Chemistry Curriculum

1996 ◽  
Vol 73 (8) ◽  
pp. 747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria M. Bragin
1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Dix ◽  
Robert D. Allendoerfer ◽  
Wayne E. Jones ◽  
Roy A. Lacey ◽  
Bernard J. Laurenzi

We are creating a World-Wide Web (WWW) introductory chemistry site that will incorporate many key features of an electronic chemistry curriculum, including flexibility, interactivity, extensibility, diversity, and self-assessment. The site will be accessible from browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape. Advantages of serving introductory chemistry from a WWW site include expanding access to chemistry instruction, platform independence, easing transitions between university units, and creating a curriculum responsive to diverse needs. Contributions and suggestions from the chemistry community can be incorporated easily and rapidly into the electronic curriculum. Since the WWW site could be used by any campus in the world having Internet access, we expect that our electronic curriculum will have a far-ranging impact on the way introductory chemistry is taught.


Author(s):  
Peng He ◽  
Changlong Zheng ◽  
Tingting Li

This study aims to develop and validate a new instrument for measuring chemistry teachers’ perceptions of Pedagogical Content Knowledge for teaching Chemistry Core Competencies (PCK_CCC) in the context of new Chinese chemistry curriculum reform. The five constructs and the initial 17 items in the new instrument were contextualized by the PCK pentagon model (Park S. and Oliver J. S., (2008), J. Res. Sci. Teach., 45(7), 812–834.) with the notions of the Senior High School Chemistry Curriculum Standards (Ministry of Education, P. R. China, 2017). 210 chemistry teachers from a University-Government-School initiative voluntarily participated in this study. The findings from item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analysis provide sufficient empirical evidence to support the convergent and discriminant validity of the instrument. The concurrent validity of the instrument was confirmed by testing mean differences among teacher demographic groups. The high Cronbach's coefficient alpha values show good internal consistency reliability of the instrument. Integrating the evidence from theory and data, we documented a valid and reliable PCK_CCC instrument with five constructs consisting of 16 items. This study provides a thorough process for developing and validating instruments that address teacher perceptions of their PCK in a particular subject domain. The valid and reliable PCK_CCC instrument would be beneficial for teacher education researchers and teacher professional programs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey A Welch

AbstractGreen chemistry and sustainability are important concepts to incorporate into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Through the development of innovative undergraduate chemistry research projects in these areas, retention of students in the physical sciences can be improved. This paper describes two projects in undergraduate catalysis research: hydrogenation of furfural and the esterification of biooil from pyrolyzed wood. Catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of furfural with Pd/C led to the production of furfuryl alcohol, furfuryl isopropyl ether, 2-methylfuran, and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. The metal chloride additives improved selectivity for furfuryl alcohol and furfuryl isopropyl ether. Catalytic conversion of pyrolyzed wood biooil in ethanol with a solid acid catalyst yielded ethyl esters, including ethyl acetate and ethyl propionate, as characterized by GC/MS These projects are described in the context of engaging undergraduate students in hands-on research for the purpose of improving retention and persistence, as well as preparing young scientists to enter graduate programs and the STEM workforce.


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