A key issue with teaching and learning Chemistry is the abstract nature of the subject. Teachers can demonstrate, and students can observe the consequence of a chemical reaction, e.g. a change in temperature or the production of a gas, but it is impossible to observe the actual particles as they react. Teachers may struggle with explaining what cannot be observed and students can become frustrated as they try to imagine what might be happening at a molecular level. This combination has the potential to create misconceptions in the mind of a student and causes the difficulty in learning the subject.

In this workshop, the facilitator will share a variety of strategies that can be used in the classroom to allow both the teacher and his/her students to make their thinking visible using analogies and models. For example, most students are familiar with Lego. Duplo Lego bricks can be used by students to model elements, compounds and mixtures. Through visual inspection of the students’ models, the teacher can quickly assess the level of their students’ understanding.

Date: 21 April 2023 (Fri)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CHM-000063 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

Many students and teachers find Chemistry difficult to learn and teach. Due to instructional limitations with large classes, few students respond to the questions asked in class. The learning process is then inactive, resulting in average academic performance. Thus, the project team investigated alternative approaches to instructional delivery that would promote student involvement through blended instruction. The team found out that a combination of face-to-face and online learning activities could lead to an increase in students’ understanding, interaction, and involvement in learning. The team will share examples of technology-enabled blended learning in Chemistry with the participants at this workshop.

Date: 7 March 2023 (Tue)

Mode of Delivery: Online via videoconferencing 

Registration: Search for the course code CHM-000064 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.

This workshop will introduce the use of Web-Based Augmented Reality (WebAR) as an innovative and accessible resource for use both inside and outside of the chemistry classroom. A series of customised WebAR resources were designed and created to enhance students’ sub-microscopic understanding of chemistry concepts. These resources are applicable to the N/O/A Level chemistry syllabi as well as some introductory chemistry modules in tertiary institutions. Participants will get to interact with these resources and create some basic WebAR resources without any need for coding background. All developed WebAR resources will be shared with participants to facilitate ease of adoption.

Date: 29 August 2023 (Tue)

Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face workshop

Registration: Search for the course code CHM-000062 in OPAL2.0, or by clicking on the link here.