November 2019 Xchange

Cognitive Load and Active Learning

Active learning techniques can be used to increase encoding and consolidation for long-term memory formation, but using active learning techniques with novice learners may require scaffolding or direct guidance so that our students can actually learn without becoming overly frustrated.

Flipped Classroom: Advantages and Challenges

The flipped classroom of today looks vastly different from its initial form. Originally, class time was primarily used to complete homework assignments; however, more effective active learning practices tend to dominate class time in modern applications of the model.

Teaching and Evaluating Science Practices—Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

The author shares how he and his colleagues focused on improving their coverage of the practice of planning and carrying out investigations.

The Devil's Milkshake

The Devil's Milkshake is a simple, yet interesting chemistry experiment that can be used to support a variety of content including alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, chemical change, energy, pH, solutions and titration. 

A Pilot Program of Standards Based Grading

Standards based grading (SBG) is a method of assessment that is gaining in popularity.  There is ample research to suggest that students who participate in SBG do just as well or even better than those students in traditional classrooms.

Reviewing the Periodic Table Using Mystery Puzzles

In honor of the International Year of the Periodic Table - Originally published October 2018.

 This five puzzle mystery covers properties of elements, symbols on the periodic table and the difference between groups and periods. Also incorporated within the puzzles are basic trends such as the number of subatomic particles, mass number, melting point, and other characteristics of specific elements.

Precipitation of the “insoluble salt”, sodium chloride

The author offers a microscale procedure to precipitate sodium chloride from two group one salts.

The Metabolic Marvel of Hibernating Bears

Millions of years of evolution has endowed brown and black bears with the metabolic capacity to starve themselves for a long period of time and still survive. Bears are chemist extraordinaires and their hibernation chemistry overall is arguably without equal in the mammalian world.

Measurement, Uncertainty, and Significant Figures 

The understanding of how measurement works is crucial for lab skills and for understanding significant figures. Some think measurement should be an easy topic for students to learn; but in reality, teachers spend countless hours teaching and reteaching a seemingly simple skill. 

On-line Chemistry Courses - Maybe?

Want to heat up a department meeting? Just say you want all courses to have an on-line option. 

Especially JCE: November 2019

The November 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Erica Jacobsen shares highlights from this issue of the Journal of Chemical Education of special interest to our ChemEd X community. You might also be interested in Mary Saecker's JCE 96.11 November 2019 Issue Highlights.