JCE ChemEd Xchange provides a place for sharing information and opinions. Currently, articles, blogs and reading lists from ChemEd X contributors are listed below. We plan to include other items that the community wishes to share through their contributions to ChemEd X.
The ACS Exams Institute is pleased to announce that new tutorial practice exams are now available for General Chemistry, (first term) and Organic Chemistry (full year).
The Types of Chemical Reactions Lab is a favorite for many teachers and students. Chemistry comes to life as students record observations. This virtual version by no means replaces the students physically conducting the reactions themselves but during these times this activity can be used to supplement the teaching of chemical reactions.
Ben Meacham is editing videos using software he had not used until just a few weeks ago. He shares what he has learned about creating these videos for his students that are now virtual. Students can watch the steps of the procedure and collect data from the video so they can complete a post-lab assignment.
Writing formulas is one of those concepts in chemistry that requires much practice and repetition for students to gain confidence. This remote learning activity is a fun way for students to practice name and formula writing that will not be as boring as a worksheet full of practice questions.
Spend some time as the semester ends being grateful for the students who are in your classes. Then acknowledge that you are making a difference in their lives. Maybe not all of their lives, but some will be changed forever.
Michael Morgan shares a lesson that he has used for many years that not only requires students to explain a topic that they have not been directly taught but also to develop explanations based on previous knowledge. He has used this lesson as a multiday “in-class” assignment and also as an “at-home” independent study. It works well in both scenarios with only minor revision. The lesson is based on Alfred Werner’s work on deducing the structures of coordination compounds.
The website flippity.net provides teachers and students the ability to take a Google Sheet and turn it into a wide variation of activities.
The concept of density is investigated regularly- in lecture, lab, or both- in Introductory (non-science majors) or the majors General Chemistry 1 courses. This post describes a short activity involving ice core density.
What is the best type of assessments in a hybrid situation? Perhaps open book and notes might provide the answer.
The November 2020 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: microplastic contamination and the environment; diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect in chemistry education research and practice; teaching in the time of COVID-19; chemistry and health; service learning; using games to teach; examining structures; solubility; spectroscopy; natural products chemistry; understanding polymer chemistry; materials science; assessment; analyzing student understanding; from the archives: battery explorations.
