Reports an oxidation-reduction experiment using tungsten, somewhat analogous to the classical student experiment involving oxidation-reduction of vanadium. Includes experimental procedures, results, and toxicity/cost of tungsten compounds. (Author/JN)

Reviews two studies on the best strategy for choosing teaching assistants. Measures teacher prowess by questioning students, level of student performance, and scores on a practical exam. Concludes that knowledge of subject and characteristics of undergraduate school attended can be used as predictors. (RT)

Discusses the role of the laboratory in teaching chemistry, describing and differentiating between empirical laboratory investigations and discovery laboratory investigations. Also points out that if a laboratory is designed to illustrate something, it should be the scientific method. (JN)

In N-solution problems, students identify N solutions using only the materials themselves as reagents. Students who solved N-solution problems as a practical examination were asked to solve hypothetical N-solution problems on a paper/pencil test. Results indicate that students can solve these problems and still have gaps in knowledge of…

Factors affecting traditional laboratory instruction in chemistry are discussed. They include: responses to potential hazards in the undergraduate laboratory; student distaste for laboratory classes; equipment and chemical costs; lack of qualified teaching assistants; and faculty pressures to do research. New directions for introductory…

Provides an overview based on personal experiences, recollections, viewpoints and anecdotal records. Discusses the general philosophy of education in the Soviet Union, the selection of students, graduate study and the chemistry curriculum. Compares and contrasts the educational systems of the Soviet Union and the United States. (CW)

Describes a student kinetic experiment involving second order kinetics as well as displaying photochromism using a wide variety of techniques from both physical and organic chemistry. Describes measurement of (1) the rate of the recombination reaction; (2) the extinction coefficient; and (3) the ESR spectrometer signal. (Author/JN)

Discusses some of the difficulties involved with chemistry laboratory experiences and some laboratory manuals. Cites studies that indicate that part of the difficulty can be attributed to constraints relating to the short-term memory of the operational information and the assumption that students have a certain level of knowledge. (TW)