Project 3

For my software, I used Virtual ChemLab (VCL). See my previous blog post for a description of this software. The assignment I wrote is geared to entry level chemistry students, so it's pretty basic. I'd make it a bit more difficult for AP students. View my blank assignment here. View my completed assignment here (my answers are in red).

I used an example assignment from BYU's Chem 106 class to base my assignment on. I wanted something that would teach the students, give them an outline to work off of, but not tell them all the answers right off. What I wasn't sure and would appreciate feedback about is the process at the end for identifying all the cations: would it be better (would the students learn better) if they just figured out their own scheme for identifying the cations? I basically give them the process in the previous part of the assignment, so is it just overkill to put it all in again? Keep in mind this assignment is for beginning chemistry students.

This project was a good learning experience for me. I really needed to think about writing an assignment that would help students learn chemistry and to use the technology but not be too complicated or too simple.

Software to use for Project 3 and Internet Safety

I didn't do much research, because when I first heard about what we were doing for Project 3 I knew what software I wanted to use. Dr Brian Woodfield in the BYU Chemistry Dept has developed an excellent program used to educate any level chemistry student without having them use expensive equipment or dangerous chemicals. To check it out more, you can go to the BYU chem department website. This has been made available to high schools and is going to be online soon. It's a really awesome program, hopefully my Project 3 will show that.

Being safe on the internet is really important. Never give out personal information to public places or anywhere that could use it to spam you. Also important for teachers that I'd never thought about before until class last week is to keep records of all your communication with your students and parents. So don't use chat tools that don't store everything. This can keep you safe if someone tries to accuse you or whatever.