Will it work for us? Dan Clune IT596 Spring 2005

Why?? First year teaching chemistry!!! I use Technology!!!! Wrong place at the wrong time!!!

“ChemDiscovery is a full-year high school chemistry curriculum that integrates computer programs, activities and text to provide an inquiry-based learning environment design to adapt to individual learning needs and learning styles.”

Classroom Organization ChemDiscoveryTraditional

Teacher’s Role ChemDiscovery Traditional

Classroom Activity ChemDiscoveryTraditional

On the American Chemical Society Test On the American Chemical Society Test No significant differences in scores between ChemDiscovery class and those of a traditional class. No significant differences in scores between ChemDiscovery class and those of a traditional class. ChemDiscovery program places heavy demands on teachers. ChemDiscovery program places heavy demands on teachers. Developers available to instructors. Developers available to instructors. Improve student attitude toward chemistry!!!!!!! Improve student attitude toward chemistry!!!!!!!

Material Covered Material Covered Balancing Equations Balancing Equations Reaction Types Reaction Types One ChemDiscovery class. One ChemDiscovery class. One traditional class. One traditional class. Pre Survey – Post Survey. Pre Survey – Post Survey. Pretest – Posttest. Pretest – Posttest. Data Analysis. Data Analysis.Methodology

Methodology – Pre - Survey Student Survey They actually care about how we like to learn!!

Methodology – Pre - Test Student Test Wow!!!!! This stuff is hard!!!

Computer Simulations Methodology - Instruction Traditional Approach Control Group ChemDiscovery Approach Experimental Group LectureLabs Homework Practice LectureLabs Homework Practice

Instruction Differences Traditional Approach (Control Group) ChemDiscovery Approach (Experimental Group)

Methodology – Post - Survey Student Survey I really liked the computer lessons!!!!! So, what was so different????

Methodology – Post - Test Student Test I get it!!! This is hard!!!

Methodology – Data Analysis

Results – Aptitude Analysis PretestPosttest GroupMeanSt DevMeanSt DevGain Control Experimental t test for the Pretest of the Experimental and Control Groups t test between the Posttest of the Experimental and Control Groups.0.045

Results – Aptitude Analysis Experimental Pre-Test Experimental Post-Test Control Pre-Test Control Post-Test { 8.5 { 9.4 Gain

Results – Aptitude Analysis Control Group – Larger Gain Control Group – Larger Gain Pre-test t-test: p > 0.05 (0.125) Pre-test t-test: p > 0.05 (0.125) 12.5% chance of random error. 12.5% chance of random error. No aptitude gain from treatment. No aptitude gain from treatment.

Results – Attitude Analysis

Experimental Group Experimental Group Higher Initial Attitude Higher Initial Attitude Increased after Treatment Increased after Treatment Control Group Control Group No Change No Change

Conclusion Use of ChemDiscovery Program Use of ChemDiscovery Program Positive Effect on Attitude Positive Effect on Attitude Little effect on Aptitude Little effect on Aptitude One on One Teacher Interaction One on One Teacher Interaction Effective form of Instruction Effective form of Instruction

Conclusion The ChemDiscovery Program is probably not the program us!!

Implications for My Teaching/School As a Teacher: As a Teacher: Find a balance between Aptitude and Attitude. Find a balance between Aptitude and Attitude. Do I want students to like science? Do I want students to like science? Can the students pass State Requirements? Can the students pass State Requirements? Push toward a Differential Classroom. Push toward a Differential Classroom. Prepare Students for College Science. Prepare Students for College Science. Will my Students Pursue Science Careers. Will my Students Pursue Science Careers. Is Science just too hard!!!! Is Science just too hard!!!!

Implications for Future Research Reflection on research: Reflection on research: Run research for a longer period. Run research for a longer period. Include more students in the study. Include more students in the study. Personal Note: Personal Note: Confidence to do research. Confidence to do research. Perform Pilot Programs before changing curriculum. Perform Pilot Programs before changing curriculum.