Chemistry Ka Practical
Dierdre Roussin
Chemistry is the science of experiments. Scientific concepts can be easily understood by performing experiments. Laboratory experiments are being influenced by modern technique and electronic devices and there is adequate blending of information and communication technology and practical laboratory experiments.
A chemistry laboratory is a place where experiments in chemistry are performed. A student needs to understand the proper way of working in a chemistry laboratory. A student must know the proper use of each equipment and the precautions to be observed while working in the laboratory.
The fundamental ideas of each experiment have been discussed for a better understanding. The topic is presented in a clear and lucid manner under key headings and subheadings. Students will have a better comprehension of the idea by participating in the experiments since they will be able to observe the changes unfold right before their eyes.
As students learn by doing, their fundamentals will solidify. As a result of this practice, they will acquire an interest in the subject. Students will learn how to ask probing questions and how to study in a scientific manner.
Our paper proposes a new pedagogical approach for learning chemistry practical experiments based on three modes of inquiry-based learning namely; structured, guided and open. Online Labs (OLabs) is a web-based learning environment for science practical experiments that include simulations, animations, tutorials and assessments. Inquiry-based learning is a pedagogy that supports student-centered learning and encourages them to think scientifically. It develops evidence based reasoning and creative problem solving skills that result in knowledge creation and higher recall. We discuss the methodology and tools that OLabs provides to enable educators to design three types of inquiry-based learning for Chemistry experiments. The integration of inquiry-based learning into OLabs is aligned with the Indian Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) goal of nurturing higher order inquiry skills for student centered and active learning. Inquiry-based OLabs pedagogy also empowers the teachers to provide differentiated instruction to the students while enhancing student interest and motivation.
Last week our Chemistry labs were a hive of activity, throughout the day a number of practical sessions took place focusing on equipping our students with the tool kit to tackle Paper 6. These skills included data analysis, application of knowledge, logical and critical thinking. These are all highly valued skills for IB chemistry students.
The purpose of the day was. to build confidence in tackling Paper 6 in all the students in the Yr11 cohort, as well as extending our top performers, whilst supporting those who need additional consolidation.
The LabSkills schools Dynamic Lab Manual enables the user to carry out 'virtual' experiments, practise the techniques and - for the first time - make mistakes - all before they enter the classroom, meeting the call for more practical science support for teachers head on.
LabSkills is being provided free to all chemistry teacher trainees, made possible by a joint Royal Society of Chemistry and Pfizer educational project, Discover Chemistry funding and collaboration with the University of Bristol.
The recent Ofsted 'Success in Science' report identified that schools that focus clearly on how science works - the practical and investigational aspects - are more successful at teaching the subject. Yet the learning of practical experimental skills is an area of science education in the UK that is under threat, due to concern over new teachers not being equipped with the same confidence to teach science practical in the way they did in the past.
Kate Bellingham, newly appointed as the National STEM Careers Co-ordinator (supporting the government's 10 year STEM programme), welcomes the resource: "As a former Tomorrow's World presenter and scientific experimenter, it was fun to just 'try it and see'.
"With this software, I was able to 'blow up the lab' quite safely, learning how to avoid the same mistakes in reality! Practical scientific skills are so useful in many areas, and are vital to the chemists of the future.
"As a former teacher myself, I know LabSkills will add an extremely valuable new dimension to the study of chemistry by helping to reinforce the importance of scientific rigour and of health and safety, while being informative and engaging."
All PGCE trainee chemistry teachers (over 500) are encouraged to use the materials for free while on school placements. They will also be invited to propose ideas on how they would incorporate the tool into their teaching. The 10 who offer the most innovative idea will win a permanent copy of LabSkills for their school.
Dr Paul Hill, Chemistry teacher and head of e-learning at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School , Bristol, has already used the resource: "LabSkills is a fantastically interactive tool that helps students come into the lab prepared and informed about the practical work they are about to carry out.
"It helps students make the difficult link between theoretical chemistry and practical activities - a link that is too often missing! I wish this type of tool had been available when I was doing my PGCE!"
Teacher access to LabSkills has been funded by RSC and Pfizer Limited via a joint initiative called Discover Chemistry. The aim of this educational partnership is to address the changing needs of the chemical industry in the UK, encouraging the most capable students into chemistry, and ensure that they are trained with the correct skills.
Pfizer are providing up to 1million over a 3-5 year period to help support initiatives such as this virtual lab software, which is based on innovative best practice developed at the University of Bristol.
Dr Tony Wood, Vice President and Worldwide Head of Medicinal Chemistry, Pfizer Global R&D, explains: "Discover Chemistry aims to capitalise on the excellent education work that many institutions and groups are developing. We bring their ideas and resources together to help expand successful schemes like LabSkills."
"In research-based companies such as Pfizer, there is a growing demand for scientists to have strong problem-solving and experimental capabilities. LabSkills could revolutionise the way practical chemistry is approached in schools. By encouraging students to prepare for their experimental work, it will help them to view practical chemistry as something much more than a recipe-following exercise. Through enhanced independence they will be better equipped to meet the future needs of industry."
The Royal Society of Chemistry will host evaluation workshops over the coming few months for users to help identify gaps and improvements to the programme and ensure schools can make the best possible use of the resource.
The Shedding Light on Motion series is a visual treasure trove of demonstrations, animations, and explanations of all things Motion.
From the production of visual effects in movies, to sport, to car safety, to transport (including rockets, planes, and trucks), our knowledge of the physics of motion has completely transformed our world.
So check out the incredible Shedding Light on Motion series and bring your students up to speed on this topic the easy way!
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Energy is everywhere. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together!
So train up your students in this all-important topic using this outstanding series.
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How good is this series? Your students will soon see!
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It's the series you need in the current climate!
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High Voltage Education!
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Our Shedding Light videos are for sale (or you can watch them on ClickView, Learn360, and Safari Montage, but we also produce a whole stack of other resources. They're all free, and they're all fantastic!
Making and Testing Carbon Dioxide Practical Activity
Students produce carbon dioxide using calcium carbonate (limestone) and hydrochloric acid, and then examine its ability to extinguish a fire.
Making and Testing Oxygen Practical Activity.
Students produce oxygen gas from hydrogen peroxide using manganese dioxide as a catalyst. They then examine how an increase in the abundance of oxygen can increase the severity of a fire.
The practical activities above work beautifully with the 8-part Shedding Light on Atoms video series.
Using amazing demonstrations and animations we take students on a journey of discovery to explain not just what we know about atoms, but also how we know what we know about atoms! Each video comes with a worksheet.