Funded by innovative programs at the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Richmond faculty in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computer science teamed up to offer first- and second-year students the opportunity to contribute to vibrant, interdisciplinary research projects. The result was…

A curriculum innovation requires new learning material for students and a preparation program for teachers, in which teacher learning is a key ingredient. In this paper we describe how three experienced teachers, involved in the development and subsequent classroom enactment of student learning material for context-based chemistry education,…

Describes the procedures, results, and conclusions of a study which involved (1) the development of computer programs for use in an introductory college chemistry course, (2) an evaluation of the programs, (3) an analysis of the extent to which the programs provided for individual differences, and (4) a description and evaluation of the…

Inspired by the Salters Approach (UK) and ChemCom (USA), units for a new curriculum for chemistry teaching are being developed in Germany based on theories of scientific literacy, motivation, and situated learning. The curriculum follows a context-based approach. Rather than using the structure of the discipline, it generates basic chemical…

Presents data to evaluate the effectiveness of the Keller method relative to the traditional lecture/discussion section approach. The evaluation is in terms of the teaching of facts, principles, techniques and attitudes; student preparation for advanced chemistry; attraction of chemistry majors; program efficiency. (GS)

A description of CHEM Study and CHEM Study materials includes its rationale, content, and supplementary materials. The authors indicate the wide use of CHEMS was because its development was timely and the program was useful. (PS)

Describes some of the procedures and accomplishments of a writing team organized to design, test and write laboratory and text materials entitled Modern Chemical Technology." These materials are meant to be the chemistry portion of a chemical technology curriculum. (Author/TS)

Summarizes the educational objectives and strategies of the Chemical Technician Curriculum Project (Chem TeC), which has the primary objective of preparing a set of texts specifically for training chemical technicians. (PR)

Describes modifications included in an examination procedure allowing students to take an exam on a given unit twice, and the use of nonobjective exams. The grading of exams by the professor in consultation with the student was viewed as the most productive aspect of the course. (GS)

Describes an attempt to make graduate study in chemistry more flexible by separating some courses into individual one-credit units called modules. Gives examples of topics covered by a single module and presents the advantages and disadvantages of using such a system. (GS)

Describes a program built on the philosophy that laboratory exercises were to be exclusively reserved for those concepts which could not be taught more effectively by other pedagogical techniques. Presents faculty and student criticisms of the program. (GS)

Discusses ideas and trends that are rapidly developing in science education in the United States, and describes how a specific secondary school science program, the Interdisciplinary Approach to Chemistry (IAC), is attempting to translate those ideas into action in the classroom. (JR)