Analytical Thinking, Analytical Action
The November 2016 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: electrochemistry; researching how assessment aids learning; using technology to teach; environmental chemistry; hands-on, minds-on activities and demonstrations; geology-inspired chemistry.
Cover: Electrochemistry
Learning electrochemical analysis and techniques is critical for students to develop conceptual understanding and gain practical skills. Researchers use electrochemistry to analyze a variety of systems extending from molecules to materials that encompass research themes ranging from clean energy to substrate activation in biological systems. In Introduction to Electrochemistry and the Use of Electrochemistry to Synthesize and Evaluate Catalysts for Water Oxidation and Reduction, Samuel J. Hendel and Elizabeth R. Young describe a lab to familiarize students with electrochemistry as well as quantitative electrochemical characterization and analysis. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of experimental electrochemistry using the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide redox couple as a model system. Students then conduct electrochemical analyses of the water electrolysis reaction and identify catalysts for both hydrogen and oxygen generation in the reductive and oxidative half-reactions, respectively. These experiments are discussed in the context of clean energy storage to promote the connection of the teaching laboratory to real-world applications.
Editorial
Editor-in-Chief Norbert J. Pienta has been traveling around the world to discuss matters of common interest concerning teaching and learning within introductory chemistry courses. Read about his latest travels in Innocents Abroad, Redux: Latin America.
Commentary
Using the Universal Design for Learning Approach in Science Laboratories To Minimize Student Stress ~ Daniel K. Miller and Patricia L. Lang
Comment on “Beyond Clickers, Next Generation Student Response Systems for Organic Chemistry” ~ Gail Horowitz
Researching How Assessment Aids Learning
Surprises in the Muddy Waters of High-Enrollment Courses ~ Jessie M. Keeler and Milo D. Koretsky
Score Increase and Partial-Credit Validity When Administering Multiple-Choice Tests Using an Answer-Until-Correct Format ~ Aaron D. Slepkov, Andrew J. Vreugdenhil, and Ralph C. Shiell
Using Technology To Teach
Improving and Assessing Student Hands-On Laboratory Skills through Digital Badging ~ Sarah Hensiek, Brittland K. DeKorver, Cynthia J. Harwood, Jason Fish, Kevin O’Shea, and Marcy Towns
Analytical Thinking, Analytical Action: Using Prelab Video Demonstrations and e-Quizzes To Improve Undergraduate Preparedness for Analytical Chemistry Practical Classes ~ Dianne F. Jolley, Stephen R. Wilson, Celine Kelso, Glennys O’Brien, and Claire E. Mason
Reflections on “YouTestTube.com”: An Online Video-Sharing Platform To Engage Students with Chemistry Laboratory Classes ~ Stephen McClean, Kenneth G. McCartan, Sheryl Meskin, Beronia Gorges, and W. Paul Hagan
Using Student-Generated Instructional Materials in an e-Homework Platform ~ Danielle M. Zurcher, Sameer Phadke, Brian P. Coppola, and Anne J. McNeil
A Cloud-Based Scavenger Hunt: Orienting Undergraduates to ACS National Meetings ~ Matthew A. Kubasik, Aaron R. Van Dyke, Amanda S. Harper-Leatherman, John R. Miecznikowski, L. Kraig Steffen, and Jillian Smith-Carpenter
Environmental and Water Chemistry
Using a Deliberation of Energy Policy as an Educational Tool in a Nonmajors Chemistry Course ~ Sara A. Mehltretter Drury, Kyle Stucker, Anthony Douglas, Ryan A. Rush, Walter R. P. Novak, and Laura M. Wysocki
An Inconvenient Truth—Is It Still Effective at Familiarizing Students with Global Warming? ~ Mark A. Griep and Kaitlin Reimer
Fabrication of Chromatographic Devices for Screening Cosmetics for Hydroquinone and Retinoic Acid as a Chemistry Project To Connect with the Community ~ Theerasak Rojanarata, Kwanrutai Waewsa-nga, Thanawit Muangchang, Pudinan Ratanakreethakul, Samarwadee Plianwong, Weerapath Winotapun, Praneet Opanasopit, and Tanasait Ngawhirunpat
A Simple, Student-Built Spectrometer To Explore Infrared Radiation and Greenhouse Gases ~ Mitchell R. M. Bruce, Tiffany A. Wilson, Alice E. Bruce, S. Max Bessey, and Virginia J. Flood
Stepwise Inquiry into Hard Water in a High School Chemistry Laboratory ~ Mami Kakisako, Kazuyuki Nishikawa, Masayoshi Nakano, Kana S. Harada, Tomoyuki Tatsuoka, and Nobuyoshi Koga
Introducing Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry Topics Using a Nanotechnology Approach: Removing Hazardous Metal Ions by Means of Humic-Acid-Modified Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles ~ Delmárcio Gomes da Silva, Fernando Menegatti de Melo, Alceu Totti Silveira Jr., Bruno Constancio da Cruz, Caio Cesar Pestana Prado, Luana Cristina Pereira de Vasconcelos, Vitor Amaral Sanches Lucas, and Henrique Eisi Toma
Salicylic Acid and 4-Nitroaniline Removal from Water Using Magnetic Biochar: An Environmental and Analytical Experiment for the Undergraduate Laboratory ~ Akila G Karunanayake, Narada Bombuwala Dewage, Olivia Adele Todd, Matthew Essandoh, Renel Anderson, Todd Mlsna, and Deb Mlsna
Determination of Total Arsenic and Speciation in Apple Juice by Liquid Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: An Experiment for the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory ~ Ping He, Luis A. Colón, and Diana S. Aga
Investigating Arsenic Contents in Surface and Drinking Water by Voltammetry and the Method of Standard Additions ~ Anran Cheng, Rebecca Tyne, Yu Ting Kwok, Louis Rees, Lorraine Craig, Chaipat Lapinee, Mitch D’Arcy, Dominik J. Weiss, and Pascal Salaün
Hands-On, Minds-On Activities and Demonstrations
Atomic Tiles: Manipulative Resources for Exploring Bonding and Molecular Structure ~ Alan L. Kiste, Rebecca G. Hooper, Gregory E. Scott, and Seth D. Bush
A Colorful Demonstration to Visualize and Inquire into Essential Elements of Chemical Equilibrium ~ Ingo Eilks and Ozcan Gulacar
Speed of Sound in Gases Measured by in Situ Generated White Noise ~ Michael J. DeLomba, Michael D. Hernandez, and John J. Stankus
From the Archives: Geology-Inspired Chemistry
In Quantitative Determination of Iron in Limonite Using Spectroscopic Methods with Senior and General Chemistry Students: Geology-Inspired Chemistry Lab Explorations, A. M. R. P. Bopegedera, Christopher L. Coughenour, and Andrew J. Oswalt discuss a laboratory that involves analyzing a geologically important material. Other examples of geology-inspired chemistry in the classroom include:
The Rocky Road to Chemistry ~ Larry Walker and Priscilla J. Lee
Geochemistry for Chemists ~ John D. Hostettler
Copper Metal from Malachite circa 4000 B.C.E. ~ Cris E. Johnson, Gordon T. Yee, and Jeannine E. Eddleton
Exploring Solid-State Structure and Physical Properties: A Molecular and Crystal Model Exercise ~ Thomas H. Bindel
How Does Your Garden Grow? Investigating the "Magic Salt Crystal Garden" ~ JCE staff
Chemistry Education Thinking, JCE Action
With 93 volumes of the Journal of Chemical Education to explore, you will always find something to make you think—including the articles mentioned above, and many more, in the Journal of Chemical Education. Articles that are edited and published online ahead of print (ASAP—As Soon As Publishable) are also available.
Do you have something to share? Write it up for the Journal! For some advice on becoming an author, read Erica Jacobsen’s Commentary. In addition, numerous author resources are available on JCE’s ACS Web site, including: Author Guidelines, Document Templates, and Reference Guidelines.