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.

blog
Heating copper acetate to form a metal mirror
Simple formation of metal mirrors
// Monday, May 10, 2021 • Tom Kuntzleman
I have always been fascinated by chemical reactions that form shiny, metallic mirrors.
male student looking at laptop screen
The Enemies of Student-Engagement: Boredom and Frustration
// Wednesday, May 5, 2021 • Michael Jansen
​Good day, gentle readers: I’ll be honest. In spite of the Pollyanna-ish pronouncements of education gurus—and the shareholders of Zoom—online Chemistry teaching is far less than ideal. I get it: we’re doing our best inside a set of rules that none of us asked for. What can we do? A lot.
neon sign w/ "hello" in cursive and surrounded by speech bubble shape
Please allow me to introduce myself . . .
// Tuesday, May 4, 2021 • Michael Jansen
Good day, gentle readers: I am thrilled to have been invited to contribute to Chemed X. I plan to do my best not to let high school editor, Deanna Cullen, regret her temporary lapse in judgement.
Kasi set up & particles with logo
Kasi: A Multi-Sensory Modeling System
// Friday, April 30, 2021 • Doug Ragan
I have been working with the Alchemie team -- founded by a former chemistry teacher, Julia Winter -- for a number of years. Trying out their learning tools for chemistry, giving feedback, and generally brainstorming new ideas for chemistry instruction. 
Context-based Chemistry: Benefits and Challenges
// Tuesday, April 20, 2021 • Josh Kenney
Traditional approaches to chemistry education generally focus on communicating conceptual knowledge, problem-solving, and understanding abstract concepts. These concentrations are crucial aspects of chemistry learning, but they tend to leave topics disconnected from meaningful applications.
performance evaluation
Program Evaluation Part 4 – My Theory of Evaluation
// Monday, April 19, 2021 • Clarissa Sorensen-Unruh
Introduction: Evaluations are part of our everyday lives. And yet, so few know and implement program and project evaluations in a logical and meaningful way. This four-part blog series aims to expand our collective understanding on the definitions, kinds, and implementations of evaluation and evaluation research.
Stamp of the Week #3
// Wednesday, April 7, 2021 • mamorgan@me.com
I have just finished teaching bonding to my chemistry classes and was reminded of a brilliant stamp that I have from Russia (technically at the time it was the Soviet Union) that showcases a quadruple bond. Yes you read that right!