Education

Practical Classroom Implementations for Critical Pedagogy

Once one knows about Critical Pedagogy (with respect to Critical Thinking, as was covered in the previous blog), how is that knowledge used? Can strategies be implemented that embrace Critical Pedagogy while not sacrificing content coverage? What are some ways to build criticality in students while maintaining expected requirements for classroom rigor?

SBG Hacks: Homework

As teachers, we know how important it is for students to practice what they are learning and we are ever aware of the limited class time we have to provide those opportunities. We also know that our students have a full schedule of classes, are involved in extracurricular activities, work after-school jobs and may not have a strong support system and structure at home. That leaves us with the difficult question of “what do we do about homework?” 

JCE 96.09 September 2019 Issue Highlights

The September 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: exploring the chemistry of natural materials; research in chemical education; undergraduate research and project-based laboratories; innovative organic chemistry teaching; organic laboratory instruction; analytical chemistry investigations and instrumentation; nanochemistry; inorganic chemistry; teaching kinetics; exploring kinetic-molecular theory; from the archives: biodiesel.

Critical Thinking vs. Critical Pedagogy

I recently participated in a conference known as the Digital Pedagogy Lab as a fellow, which required leading a workshop (or an equivalent). I chose to structure my workshop around the ideas of critical pedagogy and STEM, and particularly how we use these ideas in a practical way in the classroom (both F2F (face-to-face) and DL (distance learning)). This blog will be one of a two-part series on these topics.

JCE 96.08 August 2019 Issue Highlights

The August 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: authentic chemistry laboratories; student motivation, sustained interest, and student success; student understanding of fundamental concepts; aids to assessment; computer-based learning; active learning activities; engaging polymer chemistry activities; experimenting with flavor and food; organic chemistry laboratories; spectroscopy laboratories; acid-base chemistry; from the archives: polymer properties.

JCE 96.07 July 2019 Issue Highlights

Catalyzing Student Learning

The July 2019 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education is now available online to subscribers. Topics featured in this issue include: glowmatography; examining secondary chemistry teaching; useful teaching models and tools; making science accessible; teaching kinetics; computer-based learning; explorations using x-rays; polymer chemistry laboratories; using batteries to teach; analytical chemistry; investigating scale literacy skills; printing the archives: cyanotype.

Oxidation Argumentation Activity

I facilitate a working group of chemistry teachers in the New York area and we recently created our own activity surrounding the topic of oxidation. The goal of the probe was to force students to think about what the meaning of oxidation is, as well as to allow students to engage in the science and engineering practice of argumentation. This was an introductory lesson to my oxidation and reduction unit prior to students learning the terms oxidation and reduction.

26th BCCE (July 2020): Call for Symposia and Workshop Proposals

The Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) is one of the best professional development opportunities available for chemistry educators. The 26th BCCE will be held at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, Saturday July 18 – Thursday July 23rd, 2020. The MAPS system is now accepting symposia and workshop proposals for the 26th BCCE until Friday August 23, 2019.