Lifelong Learning Programme

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PUBLICATION INFORMATION

TITLE OF PUBLICATION
THE USE OF ICT IN THE SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
NAME OF AUTHOR(S)
Javorová K., Harvanová, L., Ganajová M., Kalafutová J., Dӧmӧtӧrova J., Szarka K., Sklenka I., Ušáková K.
NAME OF PUBLISHER
Issued by elfa, s.r.o. Kosice for the Institute of education information and prognoses
YEAR OF PUBLICATION
2010
LANGUAGE OF PUBLICATION
Slovak
PUBLICATION TYPOLOGY
Book
TARGET GROUP OF PUBLICATION
Researchers, Teachers
SIZE OF THE PUBLICATION
Over 10 pages
DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS
The publication is divided into ten chapters on 283 pages. First and second chapters deal with the key competences and inovative methods for teaching chemistry. These chapters offer an overview of the key skills as defined by EU and examples of their development, examples of the use of inovative and activation methods in teaching chemistry. The third chapter is devoted to those softwares which can be used in chemistry teaching. Practical examples of individual softwares used in chemistry teaching are presented e.g. MS Office – MS Word a MS PowerPoint, ChemSketch, HotPotatoes, EclipseCrossWord, Jigs@wPuzzle, Yenka, Periodic Table Classic etc. Other chapters are devoted to chemical experiments executed with the computer supported laboratories – Vernier, COACH, PASCO. They also present practical examples of the use of measuring devices in chemistry teaching at elementary schools as well as current legislation of safety when working with chemical substances. One chapter is devoted to the use of the content of the digital education portal Planet knowledge including presentation on how to work with the portal, how to create own teacher presentations and student tests, how to operate basic functions and tools in the teacher environment and it also shows practical examples of Planet knowledge use in teaching chemistry. The chapter named Interactive board- interactive to a touch presents practical examples of the use of interactive board in teaching chemistry. Tle last two chapters deal with the topic of project teaching and student evaluation- what is, how to plan, organize, execute and evaluate a project. It shows examples of executed projects and new ways of evaluation of the students, self-evaluation and the use of evaluation tables.
REVIEWER’S COMMENTS ON THE PUBLICATION
In terms of the project needs the publication covers the field of chemistry teacher preparation and the use of ICT during teaching chemistry at elementary schools. The book was created within the range of a national project Modernization of the education process at elementary and high schools. Around 7000 elementary and high school teachers are involved in the project. About 300 of them are elementary school chemistry teachers. As the project name suggests it is a study material which offers meaningful way of using ICT in chemistry classes, enriches and diversifies the classes with a proper use of technologies. The authors offer an overview of the ICT use, focusing mainly on the application in teaching process from the didactic point of view. The publication is a key material for elementary school chemistry teachers. Here they can find examples of 9 model lessons and 2 examples of executed projects, different ideas how to teach chemistry with the ICT support, game ideas, contests, ideas for experiments and ideas how to achieve that students are more creative and active during the classes. Teachers will also find here examples of an appropriate use of new technologies e.g. an interactive board so it is not used only as an expensive screen in order to support students´ active discovery of information instead of their passive receiving. One chapter of the publication is devoted to the new ways of student evaluation. That means how to evaluate the projects and experimental work, and how to teach the students to evaluate each other as well as themselves.
WHERE TO FIND IT
https://www.modernizaciavzdelavania.sk/
NAME OF THE REVIEWING ORGANISATION
TRANSFER Slovensko

Comments about this Publication

Your comments are welcome

Date: 2013.11.25

Posted by Abdullah Anıl Hoşbaş (Turkey)

Message: The publication is very interesting from the point which is about how a teacher can use of ICT in the matter chemistry for elementary schools and summarize usage of information technology in teaching chemistry. Subjects related to ICT are well discovered and highly organized for lecturers of chemistry. Authors illustrate concrete examples as to how they can include different software or implementations in teaching strategies in chemistry teaching. For example, Microsoft Office, ChemSketch, HotPotatoes, Yenka etc. I think this essay includes many profits for current chemistry teachers at elementary schools. Furthermore, utilizing methods which are mentioned in this publication make chemistry themes more eccentric for children and brochure also illustrates new methods of motivating the students .The topic of brochure is in accordance with the main point of the project. Rising one’s capabilities, both in the branch of modern technology and is topical to teachers. The brochure also illustrates new methods as to how a chemistry teacher can provide his or her students with a better motivation. Practitional manuals like this one are an appropriate way to inspire for the application of Chemistry teachers. It is an widespread and practical manual for teachers. Many teachers and schools took part in the study .It is mainly associated with experience and its target is practice. Teachers are capable of getting professional examples and themes which can inspire them in order that they will be used. Problem is that it is not accessible of the article we can read just a short summary. The connection doesn’t result directly in the journal article. It results only in the website of the organization but for my opinion, the publication is good and beneficial for usage and practice. Some nationwide projects the main focus of which is teacher education were conducted. These projects was at the same quality with the project mentioned in the essay. Namely, it was good and useful.

Date: 2013.06.05

Posted by Maria Pramukova (Slovakia)

Message: The publication is very interesting from the point as information how to use of ICT in the subject chemistry for elementary schools and summarize usage of information technology in teaching chemistry. Topics concerning ICT are well described and eminently organized for lectors of chemistry. Authors show concrete examples how to involve various software or applications in teaching methods of chemistry. In publication are discussed competences and innovative methods in chemistry teaching
In my opinion, this publication is full of benefits for present chemistry teachers at elementary schools.
In addition, using methods described in this publication make chemistry themes more interesting for children and brochure also presents new ways of motivating the students. Problem is inaccessibility of the article we can read only a brief summary. The link does not lead directly to the journal article, it leads only to the website of the organization but I think that the publication is good and useful for practice.

Date: 2013.05.16

Posted by Jana Ornstová (Czech Republic)

Message: The publication the use of ICT in the subject chemsitry for elementary schools summarize usage of information technology in teaching chemistry. All topics concerning ICT are well described and eminently organized for lectors of chemistry. Authors show concrete examples how to involve various software or applications in teaching methods of chemistry, for example Microsoft Office, ChemSketch, HotPotatoes, Yenka etc.
In my opinion, this publication is full of benefits for present chemistry teachers at elementary schools. In addition, using methods described in this publication make chemistry themes more interesting for children.

Date: 2013.05.15

Posted by Marcela Grecová (Czech Republic)

Message: Competences and innovative methods in Chemistry teaching are discussed in this publication. It is an extensive and practical guide for teachers. Many teachers and schools participated ind the study. It is based on experience and targeted back to practice. Teachers can find professional examples and inspirational themes for their practise. The brochure also presents new ways of motivating the students.
The topic of the brochure is in accord with the focus of the project. Increasing one’s competencies, not only in the field of modern technology, is topical to teachers. Practical manuals like this one are a very good way to find inspiration for the practice of Chemistry teachers. The problem is inaccessibility of the article. I can read only a brief summary. The link does not lead directly to the journal article, it leads only to the website of the organization. Nevertheless, I believe that the publication is good and useful for practice.

Date: 2013.05.03

Posted by Brian Dillon (Ireland)

Message: Background
In 1999 a five year program was launched in Slovakia with the aim of preparing the young generation for life in the information society of the 21st century. Following this step several nationwide projects focusing on teacher education were implemented. These projects took place between 2008 and 2013. The aim group consisted of elementary and high school chemistry teachers. For the project teachers were required to use technologies during their lessons.
Training Modules
Training was provided by school management and was done in three modules.
Module 1: The Digital Literacy of the Teacher
Module 2: Modern didactic technique in teacher work#
Module 3: Use of ICT in selected subject.
For elementary chemistry teachers this module included lessons on innovative methods in teaching chemistry; software in chemistry teaching (chemsketch, HotPotatoes, EclipseCrossWord, Yenka, Periodic Table Classic); chemical experiment visualizations and project teaching. For high school topics covered in this module were connection of computer and experiment; exploration of software( Chemix, ChemLab, Avogadro, Ascalaph Graphics); interactive boards, finding suitable teaching materials ie planet of knowledge and new ways of student evaluation.
Research
Previous research shows most training can end up being technical in nature and not focused on its didactic use. An issue arises in that the teacher may be using his computer in class, may be proficient in Digital Technologies (DT) but still teach ‘old in a new way.’ Though DT supports the change of thinking, they do not guarantee it. DT isn’t the goal but rather as a tool facilitating higher cognitive processes (apply, analyze, evaluate, create) and allowing a focus to be placed on higher knowledge dimensions (conceptual and procedural). Therefore, use of DT must combine technical operations but also their proper didactic use in developing higher cognitive processes and knowledge dimensions.

The final stage of teacher education was the writing of a final thesis after completing all modules and turning in online projects. As these projects are only completing this year it will be some time before updated research will be available. Thesis topics under research include Organic Chemistry – visualization of the experiments; Chemistry action – chemistry with fun and play and pretending to be a Chemistry Researcher.

I would expect the upcoming research results to be very relevant for a number of reasons. The project didn’t fall into the trap of many Educational Technology projects and become solely focused on the technology over the improvements in the quality of teaching. Secondly, as the projects are just completing completion the research will be based on the most up-to-date technology and so have relevance for all practicing chemistry teachers.

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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