University of Kentucky
Enhancing the Understanding of Chemistry with 21st Century Technology
Institution
University of Kentucky
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Fitzgerald Bramwell
Abstract
General chemistry is a difficult subject for high school and undergraduate students. The difficulty of this subject lies in the comprehension of the abstract concepts of atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions. In-class demonstrations are a useful pedagogic tool to resolve ambiguities of general chemistry. Unfortunately, a certain percent of high schools and universities lack the necessary resources and training needed for faculty to perform these demonstrations for their students. To address this problem, I assisted Dr. Fitzgerald B. Bramwell of the University of Kentucky Chemistry Department in this traditional scholarly effort, by helping to produce a source book that uses the power of 21st century technology to present useful chemical demonstrations for university and high school level chemistry instructors. My efforts were directed toward filming and editing demonstrations that result in the production of a comprehensive series in a DVD format. This DVD contains real-time chemical demonstrations supplemented by contributions from various Chemistry Department faculty and staff members. The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide chemistry instructors with a powerful, innovative and unique tool to aid in the teaching and comprehension of chemical concepts. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the DVD format, we will use focus groups consisting of regional high school teachers and chemistry professors. We will use their meaningful criticisms to strengthen the practicality of this effort. After this process, I hope to see this product disseminated in Kentucky high schools and universities with a special emphasis on Fayette County. I hope that this source book will enhance the comprehension of chemistry students and improve the teaching effectiveness by chemistry professors.
Enhancing the Understanding of Chemistry with 21st Century Technology
General chemistry is a difficult subject for high school and undergraduate students. The difficulty of this subject lies in the comprehension of the abstract concepts of atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions. In-class demonstrations are a useful pedagogic tool to resolve ambiguities of general chemistry. Unfortunately, a certain percent of high schools and universities lack the necessary resources and training needed for faculty to perform these demonstrations for their students. To address this problem, I assisted Dr. Fitzgerald B. Bramwell of the University of Kentucky Chemistry Department in this traditional scholarly effort, by helping to produce a source book that uses the power of 21st century technology to present useful chemical demonstrations for university and high school level chemistry instructors. My efforts were directed toward filming and editing demonstrations that result in the production of a comprehensive series in a DVD format. This DVD contains real-time chemical demonstrations supplemented by contributions from various Chemistry Department faculty and staff members. The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide chemistry instructors with a powerful, innovative and unique tool to aid in the teaching and comprehension of chemical concepts. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the DVD format, we will use focus groups consisting of regional high school teachers and chemistry professors. We will use their meaningful criticisms to strengthen the practicality of this effort. After this process, I hope to see this product disseminated in Kentucky high schools and universities with a special emphasis on Fayette County. I hope that this source book will enhance the comprehension of chemistry students and improve the teaching effectiveness by chemistry professors.