Understanding the basics of Chemistry for the Higher Studies
Course Profile & Objectives
This course’s goal is to give students a thorough understanding of chemistry’s fundamental ideas and principles as well as how they might be used in the real world. The following objectives are pursued by the course:
- Foundation in Chemistry: The course aims to establish a strong foundation in chemistry by introducing students to key concepts, theories, and principles. Students will develop a solid understanding of topics such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, reactions, stoichiometry, and the periodic table.
- Practical Applications: The course highlights the practical applications of chemistry in various fields such as medicine, environmental science, energy production, and materials science. By exploring real-world examples and case studies, students will understand how chemistry impacts our daily lives and contributes to advancements in science and technology.
- Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Through engaging learning experiences and activities, the course encourages students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will learn to analyze and interpret data, make connections between different concepts, and apply chemistry principles to solve problems in different contexts.
- Laboratory Skills and Scientific Inquiry: The course includes hands-on laboratory experiments to develop students’ practical skills, including experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific communication. Students will also engage in scientific inquiry, asking questions, making observations, and conducting experiments to deepen their understanding of chemistry concepts.
- Communication and Collaboration: The course fosters effective communication and collaboration skills through group discussions, presentations, and teamwork on laboratory experiments. Students will learn to articulate their ideas, actively participate in discussions, and work collaboratively with their peers.
- Ethical Considerations: The course highlights the ethical considerations and responsibilities associated with the practice of chemistry. Students will learn about proper handling and disposal of chemicals, scientific integrity, and the importance of ethical conduct in scientific research.
Target Student Population and Demographic:
This course is tailored for high school students aged 13 to 18 years, aiming to develop a foundational understanding of chemistry. The target student population includes students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and educational experiences, and is designed to be inclusive and accessible. The course includes online lessons, learning resources, discussion forums, virtual laboratories, assessments, instructor support, self-paced learning, and collaborative projects. The course covers key topics and concepts of chemistry, including multimedia presentations, interactive modules, and recorded lectures. The course is designed to accommodate students from different educational systems and settings, including public schools, private schools, and homeschooling environments. The course may also be suitable for individuals outside of this age range who are interested in gaining a foundational understanding of chemistry.Course Content, Instruction & Assessment
- Build a Solid Foundation: Give pupils a thorough understanding of chemistry’s fundamental ideas and concepts, such as atoms, molecules, chemical processes, and stoichiometry.
- Connect Chemistry to the Real World: Show students how chemistry is relevant in a variety of sectors, including technology, environmental science, and medicine. This will help them understand how chemistry affects their daily lives.
- Encourage Students to Ask Questions and Think Critically: Through engaging activities and stimulating discussions, encourage students to ask questions, think critically, and build problem-solving abilities.
- Develop a Passion for Chemistry: Motivate students to seek further education and professions in disciplines connected to chemistry by encouraging them to take an authentic interest in the subject and its possible applications.
- Improve realistic Skills: Give students realistic laboratory experiences to reinforce theoretical ideas. This will help them to build practical skills, laboratory procedures, and safety procedures.
- Promote Collaboration and Communication: To promote effective communication and collaboration among students, encourage teamwork, group discussions, and presentations.
Learners will participate in a Google Classroom LMS and instruction will be delivered in a blended format with flexibility and choice due to asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities. Learners will complete assignments and submit required documentation in the Google Classroom.
Students will use a variety of instructional technology tools to participate in learning as well as for formative assessment including:
- Kahoot
- Padlet
- Google Jam board
- Google Docs
- Flipgrid
- Teams
Throughout the course learners will also engage in readings, storytelling, project-based learning, brainstorming/concept mapping, field trips, service learning, games, debates, fish-bowls, group discussions, journaling, jigsaws and more!
Assessment throughout the course will be primarily formative as the goal of the course is to co-construct relevant, personalized learning improvement goals specific to a complex setting. Formative assessment such as games, surveys or anecdotal documentation will be used to adjust goals and respond to arising areas of passion or concerns.
Learners outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Show that you have a solid understanding of the fundamental tenets and ideas of chemistry, including stoichiometry, chemical processes, and atoms and molecules.
- Explain the practical uses of chemistry and comprehend how it affects a variety of industries, including technology, environmental science, and medicine.
- Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to chemistry-related issues, displaying the capacity for scientific thought and sound judgment.
- Conduct simple laboratory experiments while adhering to correct procedures, safety guidelines, and data analysis to strengthen conceptual ideas and cultivate practical abilities.
- Clarify, coherently, and accurately convey chemistry-related concepts and ideas in both speech and written form.
- To improve comprehension and shared learning, work successfully in teams while participating in conversations, peer reviews, and cooperative learning activities.
- Know and understand the ethical obligations and issues that come with practising chemistry, including how to handle and dispose of chemicals properly.
- Create a lifetime interest in chemistry and related subjects by developing a passion for the subject and cultivating a curiosity-driven mentality.
ADDIE Template
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Hi Honey. Your course profile does NOT sound like the chemistry classes I took in high school. I want to take your class! What impressed me is your approach that goes beyond simply delivering information. You not only focus on WHAT the students need to know but also on HOW to think critically and actively engage with the theories. This emphasis on developing a deeper understanding is what makes your course profile so interesting. I can’t wait to see your Lumi video!
Thank you very much Laura
I appreciate your wonderfully kind and encouraging comment very much. Your enthusiasm for my course description really does melt my heart. That you find my method of teaching chemistry to be interesting and engaging makes me very happy. That you value my emphasis on fostering critical thinking abilities and promoting active engagement with the theories means a lot to me.
It’s an honour to have you as a supporter in my class
All of my love
Honey
Thenmozhi,
It was so interesting to read about a course that feels way out of my element & comfort zone. When doing assignments like this in my head I just feel like everyone is doing a similar grade level & a similar subject area, simply because that is my area of comfort & understanding. I LOVED reading about the ways you plan to incorporate technology into your chemistry class, you seem like such an inspired & engaged teacher. I look forward to seeing everything else you create & share this course.
– Kennedy
Kennedy,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and good thoughts! I sincerely appreciate your encouragement and enthusiasm for the technological innovations I intend to implement in my chemistry lesson. Coming from someone who is more accustomed to and at ease with grade-level material means a lot to me. Although exploring new topics and teaching methods can be difficult, it is also tremendously rewarding and promotes both personal and professional development.
Your encouraging words encourage me to look into new approaches of involving my pupils and fostering meaningful learning experiences. I’m appreciative that you’re interested in seeing what else I produce and share for this course, and I’m eager to keep pushing the envelope and broaden my teaching horizons.
Again, I want to thank you for your inspirational words. We sincerely appreciate your help!
Sincere regards,
Thenmozhi
The course you are creating sounds like it has many great aspects to it! I have taught Chemistry to various grades over the years, and there are so many great online, interactive resources. It sounds like you already have a good idea of the online resources you will be using, but I thought I would still share a few of my favourites! I really enjoy PhET which has many interactive (online) simulations for students. Perhaps students could screencast themselves explain and completing the simulation. I also have also really enjoyed the TEDEd video for speed of chemical reactions. This may be something you could use for the Lumi assignment.
Thanks for sharing! I am looking forward to your resource!
Thank you very much for your insightful comments and for sharing your go-to websites for teaching chemistry online! I really appreciate your advice. Incorporating screencasting for students to discuss and demonstrate their comprehension is a terrific concept. PhET’s interactive simulations are excellent for involving students in practical learning experiences. The Lumi assignment would benefit greatly from the addition of the TEDEd video about chemical reaction speed. I’ll definitely look at these resources more and think about using them in my course. Your advice and ideas are really valuable, and I appreciate all you have done to improve the educational process for my kids. Once again, I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
Within the setup of your course I appreciate the fact that you are flexible with the shape of the course and allow students to dictate their own learning. Additionally, by adjusting goals based on students concern levels or interest of the subject area will enhance engagement in the subject matter. I think this is very important in the process of learning!
Thank you for the ideas I can emerge into my own teaching. I look forward to seeing how the course progresses.
Thank you very much Britney for your appreciation and good remarks! I’m happy to hear that you valued the course’s flexibility and student-centered philosophy. Always strive to establish a learning environment where students feel empowered and can take charge of their own education. Your willingness to modify objectives in response to student concerns and interests demonstrates your dedication to attending to their particular needs and promoting involvement. I’m happy that the concepts I’ve presented have struck a chord with you, and I have no doubt that you’ll use them wisely in your classroom. Thank you.
Hi Honey
it was amazing to read the your blog and you passion about the subject, Your genuine enthusiasm for the topic is obvious. To make chemistry interesting and approachable, in my opinion, it’s critical to go beyond the textbook and link concepts to practical applications. Your approach, which goes beyond merely disseminating knowledge, really struck me. You don’t just concentrate on How the kids need to understand; you also teach them the way to critically think and interact with the theories. Your course profile is intriguing because of the focus on deepening comprehension.