Innovative Methods Of Teaching And Learning Chemistry In Higher Education

Two recent initiatives from the EU, namely the Bologna Process and the Lisbon Agenda are likely to have a major influence on European Higher Education. It seems unlikely that traditional teaching approaches, which supported the elitist system of the past, will promote the mobility, widened participation and culture of 'life-long learning' that will provide the foundations for a future knowledge-based economy. There is therefore a clear need to seek new approaches to support the changes which will inevitably occur. The European Chemistry Thematic Network (ECTN) is a network of some 160 university chemistry departments from throughout the EU as well as a number of National Chemical Societies (including the RSC) which provides a discussion forum for all aspects of higher education in chemistry. This handbook is a result of one of their working groups, who identified and collated good practice with respect to innovative methods in Higher Level Chemistry Education. It provides a comprehensive overview of innovations in university chemistry teaching from a broad European perspective. The generation of this book through a European Network, with major national chemical societies and a large number of chemistry departments as members make the book unique. The wide variety of scholars who have contributed to the book, make it interesting and invaluable reading for both new and experienced chemistry lecturers throughout the EU and beyond. The book is aimed at chemistry education at universities and other higher level institutions and at all academic staff and anyone interested in the teaching of chemistry at the tertiary level. Although newly appointed teaching staff are a clear target for the book, the innovative aspects of the topics covered are likely to prove interesting to all committed chemistry lecturers.

Teaching Chemistry in Higher Education celebrates the contributions of Professor Tina Overton to the scholarship and practice of teaching and learning in chemistry education. Leading educators in United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia—three countries where Tina has had enormous impact and influence—have contributed chapters on innovative approaches that are well-established in their own practice. Each chapter introduces the key education literature underpinning the approach being described. Rationales are discussed in the context of attributes and learning outcomes desirable in modern chemistry curricula. True to Tina’s personal philosophy, chapters offer pragmatic and useful guidance on the implementation of innovative teaching approaches, drawing from the authors’ experience of their own practice and evaluations of their implementation. Each chapter also offers key guidance points for implementation in readers’ own settings so as to maximise their adaptability. Chapters are supplemented with further reading and supplementary materials on the book’s website (overtonfestschrift.wordpress.com). Chapter topics include innovative approaches in facilitating group work, problem solving, context- and problem-based learning, embedding transferable skills, and laboratory education—all themes relating to the scholarly interests of Professor Tina Overton. About the Editors: Michael Seery is Professor of Chemistry Education at the University of Edinburgh, and is Editor of Chemistry Education Research and Practice. Claire Mc Donnell is Assistant Head of School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Technological University Dublin. Cover Art: Christopher Armstrong, University of Hull

Winner of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title 2017 Award This comprehensive collection of top-level contributions provides a thorough review of the vibrant field of chemistry education. Highly-experienced chemistry professors and education experts cover the latest developments in chemistry learning and teaching, as well as the pivotal role of chemistry for shaping a more sustainable future. Adopting a practice-oriented approach, the current challenges and opportunities posed by chemistry education are critically discussed, highlighting the pitfalls that can occur in teaching chemistry and how to circumvent them. The main topics discussed include best practices, project-based education, blended learning and the role of technology, including e-learning, and science visualization. Hands-on recommendations on how to optimally implement innovative strategies of teaching chemistry at university and high-school levels make this book an essential resource for anybody interested in either teaching or learning chemistry more effectively, from experience chemistry professors to secondary school teachers, from educators with no formal training in didactics to frustrated chemistry students.

This book is a comprehensive study of innovative strategies and methods in higher education, and may serve as a guide for college and university lecturers wishing to expand their teaching repertoire. The book offers theoretical constructs and their practical applications in a wide variety of fields demonstrating the implementation of field-tested methods and techniques. It focuses on teaching-learning strategies in higher education in different applied fields, addressing four main areas, each comprising of several subtopics: 1. The main challenges of academic teaching (ie: transdisciplinary teaching-learning, teaching large classes and alternative/formative assessment); 2. Using technology (ie: incorporating technology, blended learning environments and distance learning); 3. Co-operative teaching-learning strategies (ie: problem based learning, project based learning and personal learning network); and 4. Values-based methods (ie: promoting social responsibility and future thinking, values and knowledge education, and adapting teaching learning to special needs). Each of the fourteen chapters, which are written at a high academic standard, presents a current theoretical review followed by a description of sample courses and/or activities exemplifying possible applications of the relevant theory. The contributors are European university and college lecturers and researchers, experts in their respective fields, who have participated in two European Union ERASMUS+ projects, share the love of teaching and wish to disseminate these innovating teaching practices among higher education institutions.

Part of the Prentice Hall Series in Educational Innovation for Chemistry, this unique book is a collection of information, examples, and references on learning theory, teaching methods, and pedagogical issues related to teaching chemistry to college students. In the last several years there has been considerable activity and research in chemical education, and the materials in this book integrate the latest developments in chemistry. Each chapter is written by a chemist who has some expertise in the specific technique discussed, has done some research on the technique, and has applied the technique in a chemistry course.

Teaching Chemistry can be used in courses focusing on training for secondary school teachers in chemistry. The author, who has been actively involved in the development of a new chemistry curriculum in The Netherlands and is currently chair of the Committee on Chemistry Education of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, offers an overview of the existing learning models and gives practical recommendations how to implement innovating strategies and methods of teaching chemistry at different levels. It starts at the beginner level, with students that have had no experience in secondary schools as a teacher. After a solid background in the theory of learning practical guidance is provided helping teachers develop skills and practices focused on the learning process within their classrooms. In the fi nal chapter information is given about the way teachers can professionalize further in their teaching career. Addresses innovative teaching methods and strategies. Includes a section of practical examples and exercises in the end of each chapter. Written by one of the top experts in chemistry education. Jan Apotheker taught chemistry for 25 years at the Praedinius Gymnasium, Groningen. In 1998 he became a lecturer in chemistry education at the University of Groningen, retired in 2016. He is currently chair of the Committee on Chemistry Education of the IUPAC.

This book synthesizes theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence and practical strategies for improving teacher education in chemistry. Many chemistry lessons involve mindless “cookbook” activities where students and teachers follow recipes, memorise formulae and recall facts without understanding how and why knowledge in chemistry works. Capitalising on traditionally disparate areas of research, the book investigates how to make chemistry education more meaningful for both students and teachers. It provides an example of how theory and practice in chemistry education can be bridged. It reflects on the nature of knowledge in chemistry by referring to theoretical perspectives from philosophy of chemistry. It draws on empirical evidence from research on teacher education, and illustrates concrete strategies and resources that can be used by teacher educators. The book describes the design and implementation of an innovative teacher education project to show the impact of an intervention on pre-service teachers. The book shows how, by making use of visual representations and analogies, the project makes some fairly abstract and complex ideas accessible to pre-service teachers.

With the increasing focus on science education, growing attention is being paid to how science is taught. Educators in science and science-related disciplines are recognizing that distance delivery opens up new opportunities for delivering information, providing interactivity, collaborative opportunities and feedback, as well as for increasing access for students. This book presents the guidance of expert science educators from the US and from around the globe. They describe key concepts, delivery modes and emerging technologies, and offer models of practice. The book places particular emphasis on experimentation, lab and field work as they are fundamentally part of the education in most scientific disciplines. Chapters include:* Discipline methodology and teaching strategies in the specific areas of physics, biology, chemistry and earth sciences.* An overview of the important and appropriate learning technologies (ICTs) for each major science.* Best practices for establishing and maintaining a successful course online.* Insights and tips for handling practical components like laboratories and field work.* Coverage of breaking topics, including MOOCs, learning analytics, open educational resources and m-learning.* Strategies for engaging your students online.