Teaching Strategies

Topic

Strategy Type

Topic	Strategy	Title	Description
Physical Chemistry Quantum Mechanics	Active Learning Transitions and Engagement Student Participation	Short Activities	Only give them two or three minutes to work on a problem. That concentrates them and prevents them just talking about the football or whatever it is that’s on their mind. You need to keep changing the activity, rather than have extended activities. We want them to chat, but human beings won’t... more
General Chemistry Physical Chemistry Quantum Mechanics	Active Learning Transitions and Engagement Lab-Based	Demonstrations to Keep Attention	Do a demonstration, for example, a little explosion where you get a fluorescent gas coming off. It’s in a way related to the material, but it’s more about keeping them awake and engaged. It’s just a little bit of fun. That helps. They obviously enjoy it. Keep the didactic, formal teaching very,... more
Physical Chemistry Quantum Mechanics	Representations Analogies and Metaphors Models and Representations	Quantum Mechanics for Large Objects	We describe quantum mechanics for an electron, but when it’s a tennis ball, what would the equation look like? This gives them the idea that the model works for every kind of particle.
Physical Chemistry Quantum Mechanics	Representations Analogies and Metaphors	Large Scale Analogies	Students tend to think that large-scale analogies are appropriate. For example, billiard balls colliding. Use such analogies but then deconstruct them for an introduction to quantum mechanics. Link to... more
General Chemistry Nature of Matter Physical Chemistry Intermolecular Forces Phase Transitions	Representations Models and Representations Visualisation Technology Online and e-Resources	Visualise Water in Different States	Use the Vis Chem website, which is Roy Tasker’s resource, and there are links to a Scootle site where you can download visualisations for chemical bonding and pure substances in different states. There is gaseous water and liquid water. You can see they’re close together - they’re crowded. You... more

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