This special report, prepared by several chemists working in the field of electron microscopy, provides information regarding the most recent developments in transmission and scanning electron microscopy that have chemical significance. (CS)

Suggests a teaching strategy for water habitat studies to help students make a meaningful connection between physiochemical data (dissolved oxygen content, pH, and water temperature) and biological specimens they collect. Involves constructing a poster and using it to make predictions. Provides sample poster. (DC)

A comparison of chemistry teaching in French "Grandes Ecoles" and British universities focuses on entry requirements, course structure and content, teaching methods, assessment, and relationship to industry. Ways in which each country can benefit from the other's practices are outlined. A breakdown of program hours in selected…

Describes a two-quarter hour college chemistry course focusing on laboratory safety. Includes lists of topics/assignments, problem sets (toxicology, storage, and energy) and videotapes, films, and slide sets used in the course. (JN)

Discusses: (1) how mole concept is defined/used in textbooks; (2) development and administration of a multiple-choice test to secondary school pupils (N=783) in Bologna and the surrounding district; and (3) results of the diagnostic examination, focusing on student mistakes and misconceptions. (Author/JN)

Describes the use and analysis of pretests/posttests for assessing instructional consequences in introductory college chemistry. Results from two studies (N=58 and N=136) are discussed as well as the use of pretests/posttests in helping instructors to identify course topics which need attention and improvement. (Author/JN)

Describes the first course of a new physics curriculum developed at the Karlsruke Institute for the Didactics of Physics. The basic idea, energy flow, is introduced at the beginning of the course and illustrated by examples from everyday life. Highlights selected topics which introduce concepts unique to the approach. (Author/JN)

Evaluated is the Longeot test, a paper and pencil test designed to measure various aspects of formal and concrete operational thought. Information from over 500 subjects (ages 17 to 20) indicated the test to be reliable and classifications from it correlated with classifications mode using Piagetian tasks. (DS)

Tests the applicability of Ausubel's theory to the meaningful learning of intellectual skills. Results of three studies of high school students indicate that advance organizers enhance learning of skills related to solubility product problems. This effect was removed if prior teaching in relevant background knowledge was included. (Author/WB)

A comprehensive teaching/learning chemical energy package was developed to overcome conceptual/experimental difficulties and time required for calculation of enthalpy changes. The package consists of five types of activities occuring in repeated cycles: group activities, laboratory experiments, inquiry questionnaires, teacher-led class…

Highlights activities, workshops, and lectures at the seventh Biennial Conference on Chemical Education held at Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) focusing on the current shift from principles and theories to applications in college and high school chemistry courses. (JN)

Presents a complete computer program demonstrating the relationship between volume/pressure for Boyle's Law, volume/temperature for Charles' Law, and volume/moles of gas for Avagadro's Law. The programing reinforces students' application of gas laws and equates a simulated moving piston to theoretical values derived using the ideal gas law.…

Lists commercially available audiovisual materials by subject area. Includes title, producer (addresses given), catalog number, format (film, filmstrip, cassette, slides), and prices. Subject areas include: elements; equilibrium; gases; laboratory techniques and experiments; general chemistry; introductory materials (including mathematics); and…

Evaluated and described is an innovative freshman chemistry one-semester laboratory, relating changes in the course to objectives in decreasing lab expenditures, increasing learning, increasing quality, improving attitudes, and producing materials for widespread use. Lists topics for experiments, videotape presentation, and computer simulation.…

Nine computer programs (available from the authors) are described including graphic display of molecular structures from crystallographic data, computer assisted instruction (CAI) with MATH subroutine, CAI preparation-for-chemistry course, calculation of statistical thermodynamic properties, qualitative analysis program, automated conductimetric…