Describes the "One-Minute Paper," a teaching strategy used to encourage active learning by students and provide feedback to teachers. Enables the professor to establish a rapport with a large class of students and provides the professor with an insight into student difficulties and perceptions of the lecture material. (JRH)

Presents an overhead projector demonstration that uses the idea of color fading to demonstrate reaction kinetics and diffusion controlled reaction kinetics. (JRH)

Presents an experiment that uses a unique acid-base indicator--the odor of raw onion--to indicate the end point of the titration of sodium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid. Allows the student to detect the completion of the neutralization reaction by olfaction rather than sight. (JRH)

Evaluates an instructional method in general chemistry that attempts to bridge the gap between algorithmic problem-solving abilities and conceptual understanding of chemistry students and emphasizes conceptual problem solving in the initial phase of a concept. Concludes that using a conceptual focus for the chemistry courses had many positive…

Describes the CIStudio (Chemical Information Studio), a one-credit undergraduate chemistry course at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Focuses on the integration of electronic and print sources of chemical information, especially Internet-accessible reference and database services. Discusses administrative, instructor, and student issues involved.…

Presents an example of a take-home discovery-based activity that supplements the lecture component of a general chemistry course. Involves the student in chemistry exploration outside the class. Extends the context of content and experimentation into a nontraditional laboratory environment. Reports that students find the challenges useful in…

Analyzes perceptions of staff members concerning difficulties facing students in a first-year chemistry program. Results indicate that the staff have very different views of student difficulties and how they should be overcome. Suggests that it is important for staff to engage in conversation about such issues and to develop an awareness of…

Analyzes two initiatives in Australian education that have attempted to influence the future directions of high school chemistry curricula: the concept of a national curriculum encompassing eight key learning areas and the reform processes of individual state governments. Presents a radically different syllabus produced by the State of Victoria as…

Presents a simple demonstration that illustrates the concept that the formation of a gas in a chemical reaction results in work being done on the surroundings. (JRH)

Describes the use of a dramatic and enjoyable demonstration as the focus of a class discussion in electrochemistry. Advantages include building rapport with students, increasing the enjoyment of the learning experience for both instructor and student, and giving students a substantive basis for the lecture demonstration. (JRH)

Presents experiments with lightsticks in which the activation energy for the light-producing reaction is determined. Involves monitoring the light intensity of the lightstick as a function of temperature. Gives students the opportunity to explore the concepts of kinetics and activation energies and the world of computer-interfaced experimentation…

Describes a model for student portfolios that contain goal record sheet, grade record form, test self-evaluation form, chapter summary, and work samples. Includes samples of these items and portfolio conference/assessment guide, and analytic rubrics. (MKR)

This opinion paper discusses several issues surrounding questions of ChemCom and STS courses taken by science majors. Explores the basis for a potential mismatch students having an STS-based course may experience. Discusses objectivism and constructivism. (MKR)