Teaching introductory chemistry with a module format: Using solar energy to teach core concepts
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (United States)
Solar Energy is of universal interest because it powers the world in which we live. As an alternative to the use of fossil fuels, which disturbs ecological balance, it is an important source of heat, chemicals and fuels. As part of an NSF-funded consortium of Universities including UC Berkeley, UC San Diego and California State University at Hayward, we are developing materials to teach a portion of first semester chemistry using a module entitled {open_quotes}Solar Energy{close_quotes}. The module format is defined as a unit of material in which several core concepts of a course are presented in the context of an issue of personal or societal importance. In the case of this Solar Energy module, the core concepts of electromagnetic radiation and energetics will be taught as part of an introductory chemistry course for either science or non-science majors. We are developing a tutorial that can be accessed via the World Wide Web, and a video to introduce students to Solar Energy. We are also developing manuals for the lectures, which will include concept questions, and for the laboratories, which will be based on the discovery method. The new reaching methodologies that we are using encourage critical thinking, the use of multimedia tools, and greater participation by students in their own learning. We will discuss the goals for this module, the material we are developing, and methods we will use for evaluation and testing.
- OSTI ID:
- 214575
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950801-; TRN: 96:000922-0043
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 210. national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), Chicago, IL (United States), 20-25 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of 210th ACS national meeting. Part 1 and 2; PB: 1866 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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