Blogs

ChemEd X contributors offer their ideas and opinions on a broad spectrum of topics pertaining to chemical education.

Blogs at ChemEd X reflect the opinions of the contributors and are open to comments. Only selected contributors blog at ChemEd X. If you would like to blog regularly at ChemEd X, please use our Contribution form to request an invitation to do so from one of our editors.

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Word Cloud from the Stahl & Hussenius article
Hidden Messages in Chemistry Assessments
// Monday, February 17, 2020 • Hannah Sevian
Recently, Michael Farabaugh offered some very nice chemistry exam question examples. I appreciated how he emphasized that questions can be written in ways that make it possible to learn how students think rather than just whether they know the correct answer or not.
Person using MacBook Pro
SBG Hacks: Gradebook
// Monday, February 17, 2020 • Lauren Stewart
While considering what holds teachers back from implementing standards-based grading, I took a step back and thought about one of the most important parts of the grading process: the gradebook.
text: What is Gamification?
What is Gamification in Education?
// Saturday, February 15, 2020 • Josh Kenney
In 2018 the video game industry grossed 131 billion dollars, and there’s no sign of it slowing down with 2025 projected to bring in $300 billion.1 World of Warcraft, released in 2004, continues to be one of the most popular and addictive video games.
can of popsicle sticks hanging on classroom doorknob
Making Students Live in Their Discomfort
// Wednesday, February 12, 2020 • Ariel Serkin
My school just started second semester on February 3 and I needed to shake things up. My students didn’t like the new vocational classes they had been assigned, everyone was still stressed about grades from the previous term, and some students still needed to make up midyear exams. This malaise was not new.
clock face with text: Time to Renew
After Certification - Continuing your Hero’s Journey
// Sunday, February 9, 2020 • Melissa Hemling
I achieved National Board certification in December 2017. My certification expires in 2022. The year 2022 seems like a long way off, but it is coming up sooner than I would like! I have done a little digging into the renewal process to see what comes next.
student holding a syringe, reaction inside producing gas.
Limiting Reagents and Gases
// Sunday, February 2, 2020 • Chad Husting
“What are we doing to help students achieve?” I have always struggled as a teacher to find a good limiting reagents lab and activity that can be put into the hands of my students. Thanks to Dr. Bruce Mattson, I think I have found a winner I would like to share.
empty classroom tables with window in background
Universal Design in the Chemistry Classroom
// Thursday, January 30, 2020 • Lauren Stewart
For the past three years, I have been fortunate enough to work with an intervention specialist teaching inclusion sections of ninth grade physical science (half chemistry, half physics). My co-teacher and I instruct classes with students ranging in ability from intellectual disability to gifted.
Blueberries with text: Why blueberries change color
Berries are red, berries are blue…I’ve got a berry surprise for you!
// Sunday, January 26, 2020 • Tom Kuntzleman
Berries are red, berries are blue…I’ve got a berry surprise for you! DESCRIPTION: I observe a red to blue color change when I rinse my bowl after eating frozen blueberries. Sounds like an acid-base reaction, doesn’t it? Read on to learn about the blueberry surprise!