It's hard to replace a classic.
Through the viewing of the video, the technological advancement that most influence the teaching of chemistry was the USSR launching it's first satellite into orbit. Science classes were championed as ways to catch up to and surpass our rivals. But chemistry itself was still a very young science (and still is if you consider the beginning of modern chemistry to begin with Antoine Lavoisier.). Even technology available today is somewhat limited in the teaching of chemistry because much of it is dependent on the mathematical skills of the student.
As a biology major, my science didn’t really become mainstreamed until the launching of Sputnik as well, however, I do not think it was as far behind as chemistry was. And I do agree, chemistry is very dependent on the math skill of the student. Many students find that math is one of those subjects where you either get it or you don’t, not a lot of wiggle room there. It’s hard to engage students in a science, like chemistry, if they are always worrying about the math that goes along with it. Who knows, maybe if there were more organic chemistry based classes in high school, students that are not good with math might enjoy that more then a regular chemistry class. But it’s always hard to do that if they do not have the basic knowledge that general chemistry provides.
ReplyDeleteHey, not sure if you got my email from a couple days ago or if you have internet access, but I need your email you signed up with for your Blogger so I can share the spreadsheet with you. Interactivity is due Wednesday. Thanks!
ReplyDelete