Reviews research relevant to the problem of unsatisfactory student problem-solving abilities and suggests a teaching strategy that addresses the issue. Author explains how she uses teaching aloud problem solving (TAPS) in college chemistry and presents evaluation data. Among the findings are that the TAPS class got fewer problems completely right,…

Discusses 27 chemical demonstrations involving inexpensive, readily available materials that illustrate the following concepts: acid/base properties, gas properties, characteristics of carbon dioxide, chemiluminescence, freezing point depression, heat of vaporization; density, polymers, surface tension, polarity/nonpolarity, UV absorption,…

Describes a college course that provides a challenging learning experience in science based upon famous experiments and observations dating from the time of Aristotle to the present day. Presents information concerning (1) the course organization, structure, laboratory development, and expectations; (2) course content by quarter; (3) evaluation of…

Authors discuss how computer laboratory interfacing has revolutionized their nonscience-major introductory chemistry course. Discusses the advantages of doing away with the "cookbook" approach to laboratory experimentation. Presents an evaluation of the course approach including the finding that over 75 percent of the students felt that…

Described are the idea of chaos and the ability to control the chaotic behavior of a real-world physical system. Included is an explanation of the methodology and applications in biology and chemistry. (KR)

A trend at U.S. colleges and universities in teaching first-year science courses is discussed. An approach in the classroom and lab in which students engage in science through observation and hypothesis is emphasized. Hands-on science, experiential science, and constructing science through cooperative learning are discussed. (KR)

The verbal interactions among pupils engaged in problem-solving tasks were studied in an attempt to explore the effectiveness of small-group learning in science. Interactions were predominantly task related, but their content rarely rose above the level of "factual information" interchange. Information exchange at higher cognitive levels…

Various examples of open-ended problems and ways to obtain them are presented. Suggestions for incorporating open-ended problems and some of the benefits and difficulties encountered by teachers and students are discussed. Examples are from courses on mass and energy balances, communications, kinetics and ideal reactors, and reactor design. (KR)

Describes the design, construction, administration, and results of networked campuswide placement testing for mathematics and chemistry at Stanford University. Reasons for online testing are discussed; software requirements and programing details are explained; and the impact on students and their advisors is considered. (Contains seven…

Some commercially available software tools that have potential applications in the analytical chemistry curriculum are surveyed and evaluated. Tools for instruction, analysis and research, and courseware development are described. A list of the software packages, the compatible hardware, and the vendor's address is included. (KR)

Discusses elementary students' preconceptions in science education, describing a research group for chemistry and integrated science education at the University of Pisa, Italy. The article indicates a need for inservice teacher training, proposing a teaching model for teacher educators which addresses student preconceptions and introduction of…

Two programs are described for teaching earth science and introductory chemistry to secondary students with learning disabilities. Development of the two models involved curriculum revision to engage students in higher order thinking, teaching fewer topics in more depth, and design of materials to provide an integrated, problem-solving basis for…

The use of an olfactory acid-base indicator in titrations for visually impaired students is discussed. Potential olfactory indicators include eugenol, thymol, vanillin, and thiophenol. Titrations performed with each indicator with eugenol proved to be successful. (KR)

Included are the general guidelines, outline, a summary of major intermedia transport processes, model features, a discussion of multimedia exposure and health risk, and a list of 50 suggested references for this course. (CW)

Examined the means used by textbook authors to introduce, define, and explain the mole concept in high school and introductory college chemistry textbooks (n=29). Among the conclusions are that the presentation and definitions of moles in the textbooks are most frequently abstract and theoretical in nature. (PR)