Modeling Instruction

Conceptual Chemistry

Larry Dukerich | Wed, 11/19/2014 - 16:19

In a recent contribution to ChemEd X "Stoichiometry is Easy", the author states that he has "vacillated over the years between using an algorithmic method, and an inquiry-based approach to teaching stoichiometry. " I would like to suggest that there is another approach to mastering stoichiometry and that it should precede the algorithmic one: it is the conceptual approach based on a particle model to represent the species involved in chemical reactions.

A Modeling Approach to Energy Storage and Transfer

Erica Posthuma | Sat, 05/03/2014 - 15:57

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From the misconceptions fostered by the biology textbooks using the phrase “high-energy phosphate bond” to idea that energy comes in different forms, the Modeling community recognizes the challenges of teaching the energy concept and has developed a way of talking about energy designed to help students construct a consistent and cohesive model.

Cross-Discipline Discussions on Energy

Erica Posthuma | Sun, 04/13/2014 - 16:42

Have you ever thought about the ways we, as chemistry teachers, talk about the concept of energy? Think about all the different terms we use when we talk about the role of energy in our curriculum: endothermic, exothermic, heat, specific heat, heat capacity, enthalpy, tempera

Whiteboarding Strategies

Erica Posthuma | Sun, 01/26/2014 - 15:03

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In my first post I mentioned using the Chemistry Modeling Curriculum (CMC) in my classroom. Although Modeling Instruction (MI) has been around for over 20 years, I discovered it during a workshop in the summer of 2010.