Lifelong Learning Programme

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PUBLICATION INFORMATION

TITLE OF PUBLICATION
CHEMISTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION E-LEARNING IN 9TH GRADE
NAME OF AUTHOR(S)
Vera Pangalova – Ivanova
NAME OF PUBLISHER
Sofia University
YEAR OF PUBLICATION
2010
LANGUAGE OF PUBLICATION
Bulgarian
PUBLICATION TYPOLOGY
Newspaper / Magazine article
TARGET GROUP OF PUBLICATION
Researchers, Teachers
SIZE OF THE PUBLICATION
3 – 10 pages
DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS
The publication presents results of experimental use of contemporary ICT in chemistry and environmental protection school process in response to the question: „Can application of ICT change quality of high school training in particular learning environment“. A model for e-learning of chemistry and environmental protection in 9th grade and e-multimedia resources (modules) for information provision (multimedia presentations, electronic versions of tests, instructions etc.) have been created in order to overcome the low efficiency of teaching chemistry in high school. The model was experimental during the school year 2009/2010 in Sofia high school of bakery and confectionery technologies.
The diagnostic research conducted after the study aims at identifying positive changes in learning achievements and motivation of students when using the proposed model in the training process. The research took place in two stages – preliminary study and actual study on two of the studied sections – „Hydrocarbons“ and Hydroxyl derivatives of hydrocarbons“. The preliminary study includes a „Family environment“ survey, an „Initial review of knowledge and skills“ test, a „Pros and cons and attitude towards chemistry training“ survey, a „Triple comparison for studying of reasons“ survey and a „Creativity“ test. The actual study includes „Pros and cons and attitude towards chemistry training“ and „Triple comparison for studying of reasons“ surveys and again „Creativity“ test. Test problems have been developed for assessing the knowledge and skills of students as an innovation to the diagnostic procedure. Four groups have been formed for the purpose of the research:

- the first group studies „Hydrocarbons“ section following the e-training model and „Hydroxyl derivatives“ – using the traditional method;
- the second group studies „Hydrocarbons“ section following the traditional method and „Hydroxyl derivatives“ – using the e-training model;
- the third group is an experimental group which is trained through e-models throughout the experiment;
- the fourth group is a control group which is trained using the traditional method without the use of ICT. Development of projects by the participants in the control group is carried on hard copy written by hand or printed.

Groups' composition is identical in terms of gender, social status of the family, ethnicity etc. and also performance (up to the beginning of the experiment). All students have computer and internet available at home.
At every stage the group which is trained following the model achieves better results whereas highest results are achieved by the experimental group trained with the implementation of e-learning model. Development of cognitive structures to „knowledge“ level was registered at 50% of the students of this group, 30% reached „understanding“ level, 10% - „application“ and 10% - analysis (with initial start – lack of basic knowledge on the subject).
Results of the final study on attitude and reasons to study the school subject of Chemistry and environmental protection show that students' motivation to study has increased, especially for gaining new knowledge connected with their future profession (production of bread and confectionery), with environment and everyday life.
The results of the creativity test conducted after the end of the training intended in the study show that the biggest difference between the results of the preliminary and final test belongs to the group which was trained using entirely e-model; lowest growth belongs to the group which was trained following the traditional model; the results of the two groups which were trained using the two variants are average compared to the experimental and control group but are still closer to the results of the experimental group.

These results give reasons for the author to conclude that the proposed model for e-training helps to improve the educational achievements of students, has a positive effect on motivation for studying and development of creativity and offers a flexible approach to solution of problems of low performance in chemistry and environmental protection training.
WHERE TO FIND IT
“Continuing education”, N 21, 2010 (ISSN 1312-899Х)
NAME OF THE REVIEWING ORGANISATION
Technical University of Gabrovo

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National Reports on successful experiences to promote lifelong learning for chemistry The national reports on chemistry successful experiences to promote lifelong learning for chemistry are now available on the related section of the project portal. The reports presents examples of successful experiences in the partner countries and the results of testing of ICT resources with science teachers.

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