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Teaching Resources

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TEACHING RESOURCES INFORMATION

TITLE OF TEACHING RESOURCE
Rader's CHEM4KIDS
IMAGE
NAME OF AUTHOR(S)
Andrew Rader Studios
NAME OF PRODUCER
Andrew Rader Studios
DATE OF PRODUCTION
1997-2012
WEBSITE OF THE PRODUCT
TYPE OF PRODUCT
Online course
LEVEL OF CHEMISTRY KNOWLEDGE
Medium, Advanced
PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH
Problem solving, Self-learning
SUBJECT AREA
Fundamental Chemistry, Life Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Chemistry
TARGET GROUP LEVEL
Lower Secondary School, Upper Secondary School
LANGUAGE/S OF TEACHING RESOURCES
English
TUTORIAL SUPPORT
No
DESCRIPTION
Chem4Kids presents basic chemistry information in an illustrated textbook-like format. The presented concepts can find application for a wide range of ages. It includes the following sections: (1) Matter, (2) Atoms, (3) Elements & Periodic Table, (4) Reactions, (5) Biochemistry and (6) Et Cetera. Each of the subjects can be explored in sequential pages of growing complexity. Some of the pages are interconnected by links redirecting the user to other pages (whenever a concept needs to be introduced). This constitutes an interesting strategy, where each user can follow its own learning plan. At the end of each subject a quiz is presented aiming at “check for understanding”. Concepts are clearly explained and in context with real everyday life facts, which is quite motivating for students.
In the various sections the following topics can be learned:
Matter: states of matter (solids, liquids, gases, plasma), changing states of matter (fusion, freezing, vaporization, condensation, sublimation and deposition), chemical vs physical changes and mixtures vs solutions.
Atoms: structure, orbitals, electrons, ions, neutrons, isotopes, bonding, compounds and advanced ideas. In this last section radioactivity, nuclear energy and antimatter are introduced.
Elements & Periodic Table: periodic table, element list, families, halogens, noble gases, metals, alkali metals, alkaline earth, transition metals, lanthanide and actinide families. From the periodic table 36 elements can be selected to view complete information on it.
Reactions: reaction rate, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, equilibrium, catalysts vs inhibitors and acids vs bases.
Biochemistry: metabolism, cycles, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, DNA, aminoacid structure, proteins, enzymes and enzymatic regulation.
The final section “Et cetera” is presented by the authors as the “grab bag for the site”. Information concerning symbols, constants and units is presented and career information trying to elucidate what we can do with chemistry in the real world is supplied. Finally special branches of chemistry, like organic chemistry and physical chemistry, are explored like it was biochemistry in the main page.
In the home page links to other science related sites of the same producer can be found: Astronomy, Biology, Earth Science, Physics and Maths.
COMMENTS
Although this website is presented in a textbook-like format it includes attractive graphics and can be easily explored by students. Nevertheless, the needed reading level of the presented illustrated material makes it best suited to middle, intermediate and high school students. It can be used to review subjects, to support assignments and act as a supplement to traditional textbooks. Concepts are clearly explained and in context with real everyday life facts, which is quite motivating for students.
NAME OF THE REVIEWING ORGANISATION
Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

Comments about this Publication

Your comments are welcome


Date: 2013.02.03

Posted by José Ángel Ruiz García (Spain)

Message: I was surprised by this website. It contains much more information than expected, especially those sections devoted to material, biochemistry and the periodic table of elements. It is presented in an entertaining and appealing way which makes it really interesting to work with Secondary students. On the other hand, this is supposed to be an online courses website but I didn’t find many courses on it. It is an interesting website due more to the way contents are presented than to the courses offered on it. Despite this, its evaluation is positive.

Date: 2012.09.27

Posted by Diane Condon (Ireland)

Message: This resource provides basic Chemistry information that could be very useful for chemistry students outside the classroom. I feel it could be used best as a supplement to the students’ textbook. It provides information clearly by topics so students would easily navigate this site to find the information they are also covering in class. There are topics that are suitable for lower secondary science (11-15), e.g. atoms, elements, and the periodic table, but the majority of topics are more suitable for senior chemistry students (16-19). Each topic has a quiz attached which may be a useful revision tool both in class and for the individual student to use at home.
I feel the level of chemistry in this resource is advanced and it would probably be most useful for the student who already has an interest in chemistry. It is a wonderful resource for the more interested students as it provides just a little bit more information than would be possibly covered in class.
The information is provided in a very clear manner with key terms in bold print. Some terms appear in a different colour and are underlined. When selected you are brought to a link offering further information on the relevant term. Students may navigate in this way easily to find any information they are looking for very quickly. When using the quiz function in a topic any incorrect answer submitted results in the correct answer and an explanation appearing immediately.
All information provided is in very clear language and is easy to follow. There are many references to where chemistry appears in everyday life. I would find this resource a very good instructive tool to supplement work being covered in class.

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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