Reviews reasons why chemical information instruction is important in academic libraries, offers suggestions for developing partnerships with faculty and computing staff, and provides tips for overcoming barriers to teaching effectively. Tips on designing effective class sessions are offered, along with a list of general and chemistry teaching…

Describes the use of voicemail for a large class in general chemistry at McGill University (Canada) that used the Monomedium instruction system. Discusses what information is provided, the design of the course material, use statistics, evaluation by students, and the professor's perceptions. (Author/LRW)

Explores measuring the specific heat of a metal ball. The ball is heated to a known temperature then placed in cold water. Students measure the temperature gain of the water in this investigation of the principle of Conservation of Energy. As a second task, students make a precise determination of the density of the ball. (PVD)

Analyzes undergraduate general-chemistry laboratory manuals (n=10) and identifies illustrative verbs representative of the types of cognitive skills given in Bloom's Taxonomy. Finds that, although the majority of the manuals are similar in their lack of promoting higher-order cognition, a few newer manuals possess the requisite activities for…

Reviews a pilot project (teaching science) in India. Objectives included the following: developing reliable locally-produced low-cost equipment; finding experiments compatible with the equipment that illustrate principles and practice of modern chemistry; providing teachers with workshops, manuals, and videotapes; establishing a production unit to…

Discusses environmental resource assessment research conducted by undergraduate students as part of a non-science majors' chemistry course at Santa Clara University. Describes project procedures and course grading, chemistry connections, learning goals and outcomes, and implementing change on campus. (WRM)

Telling stories can be an effective way of introducing science concepts. This article provides an annotated bibliography of fiction and nonfiction books for K-12 students and adults on static electricity, surface tension, bubbles, chromatography, slugs and other creatures, plants, physical and chemical change, strength of shapes, collections of…

Explains the development of an interdisciplinary unit in which students learn basic chemistry and laboratory techniques while practicing English, mathematics, art, social studies, and leadership skills. Includes details about lab activities, assessment strategies, and science extensions. (DDR)

Details how a spreadsheet with graphics capabilities can be used to illustrate enzyme kinetics and explain how computer simulation of a reaction mechanism is accomplished. (DDR)

The Applications in Biology/Chemistry (ABC) curriculum is a real-world approach designed for the middle 50% of secondary students who may not learn in a predominantly abstract way. Stressing contextual and cooperative learning, ABC features 10 laboratory exercises and other hands-on, problem-solving activities involving visits to job sites and…

A study compared the teaching behaviors of University of Tel Aviv (Israel) physics and chemistry faculty over two consecutive years, at mid- and end-semester. Findings indicate a high degree of stability in behaviors over time, with no clear-cut improvement during a semester except for faculty undertaking special instructional improvement…

Describes efforts to include cooperative learning and multimedia in a general chemistry lecture course at the State University of New York College at Oneonta. Highlights include the need for a new course design due to declining student performance, the use of presentation software, costs, student reactions, and differences in teaching styles. (LRW)

Describes how 20 high school teachers and university professors collaborated to initiate writing projects across the high school curriculum. Notes that the group learned the most about how to develop their collaborative cross-curricular writing program from projects in earth science and chemistry. Suggests that teaching students how to help one…

Explores the efficacy of promoting a beginning chemistry teacher's curriculum development and teaching practices through the use of computers. Observes and analyzes the teacher's instructional practices both before and after the web site treatment which includes pictorial analogies, historical cases of science, and discrepant events. Reports…

This study investigated the effects of incorporating concept mapping into computer assisted instruction with tenth grade students in Singapore. Discusses results of a chemistry achievement test that suggest that concept mapping accompanying a computer assisted tutorial program can enhance their learning, and considers future research. (Contains 30…