Pedagogy
This chemistry resource website was designed with learner-centered content, participation of learners in digital media, and the following learning theories in mind:
constructivism and scaffolding,
active learning,
inquiry-based learning,
behaviorism and operant conditioning.
This site has a variety of use-case scenarios that educators and learners may find valuable both in and out of the classroom and laboratory settings. For example, educators can choose to use the built-in low-stakes quizzes to engage students in competition during class-time and receive instant feedback on their understanding and/or misconceptions about a particular topic. Learners may also use the quizzes independently to check their own knowledge and direct their attention to topics that require review. Quizzes using platforms such as Kahoot can provide students with instant feedback on their understanding of the material and positively reinforce learning when good scores are achieved. There will be some pre-made quizzes included within the website that can be used to check a students’ understanding of concepts in the chemistry unit.
Website content promotes active learning and inquiry by providing students with the opportunity to explore chemistry experiments either virtually or in their own home. Animations, video content, images, and/or text assist students in making connections between the processes happening at a molecular level and what is readily observable by the naked eye in their experiments. These exercises will allow students to create hypotheses and engage in scientific thinking. Virtual laboratory exercises can be used in the event of a switch to remote teaching, as a replacement for missed lessons, or as a supplement for students who indicate a desire to know more about chemical processes.
Use of the platform Padlet through the site can be used for students to practice inquiry outside of the classroom. Learners will also be able to share what they have discovered with other students on the site as a form of participatory media. Padlet allows educators to curate a set of links directing students to resources for extending their learning, and students can collaborate during in-class discussions or outside of the classroom.