George Carrington, MSc. Ed’s Post

Have you explicitly defined a purpose for your #highereducation course? Most courses have a syllabus, curriculum, textbook etc, but what about its “purpose”? Allow me to explain. I #teach a large-enrollment (>500 students) first-year #chemistry course. Like all courses, it is in the timetable and so the “show must go on”, but why? Most students take the course because they have to. It is prescribed by the academic requirements for a degree in science. This, however, falls well short of a compelling rationale for passionately engaging in the experience. Is the purpose of this course to prepare students for a degree in chemistry? Perhaps, but typically only 5-10% of these students will major in chemistry. So at best this is a misguided approach to defining the purpose of the course. Why do I belabor this point? Because the purpose of the course sets the guideposts for critical elements like curriculum and #assessment. I very often see misalignment between purpose and assessment, mostly because the purpose has not been explicitly defined. In reality, the true purpose of my course is in its ability to instill scientific literacy and to introduce science students to the importance of chemistry as a discipline. This isn't just about memorizing chemical reactions or understanding molecular structures; it's about fostering a spirit of curiosity, critical thinking, and appreciation for science as a whole. By focusing on these broader goals, we can guide our curriculum, assessment strategies, and define success in a way that resonates with the actual outcomes of our teaching. This approach not only benefits those few who will become chemists but also empowers the majority who will carry these foundational scientific principles into diverse fields and everyday life.

My first semester of college I took Chemistry 101. Despite making only one B thru high school…in chemistry…my academic advisor suggested I take it to get the general education requirements out of the way. over half that class was hoping to be pre-med. I was just trying to survive. After getting my first test back with a 63 and hearing that was “the easiest one of the semester” I knew I’d just be lucky to escape with a passing grade. I ended up speaking with my professor and asking for extra help. I met with him two mornings a week before class the rest of the semester. The week after exams were over my family was on a cruise and I slipped away one night after dinner, paid the $25 fee in the “Internet cafe” and checked my grades. In my entire academic career I’d made straight A’s, one B, and never anything else. That night, opening my first semester transcript to find a D, I almost broke into tears. I was so happy. I knew I’d never take another Chemistry and was so thankful I survived. I also knew there are plenty of things that I’m good at. Chemistry was not one. One of the best things I’ve done for my professional life is clearly identifying the things I’m not good at. Knowing what I’m not good at allows me to focus on the things i excel in. These are the things that give me life. People. Relationships. Talking. Encouraging. Team building. Empowering. #dothingsdifferently

Attention all chemistry enthusiasts and professionals! 🧪🔬 As an educator specializing in Physical Chemistry, I'm fascinated by the power of Analytical Chemistry in unraveling the secrets of our world. From analyzing complex mixtures to detecting trace elements, Analytical Chemistry plays a crucial role in fields ranging from pharmaceuticals to environmental science. I believe that fostering a strong foundation in Analytical Chemistry is key to nurturing the next generation of scientists. By developing engaging lessons and hands-on experiences, we can inspire students to explore the beauty and complexity of the world at a molecular level. I'm curious to hear from my fellow educators and professionals in the chemistry community: 1. What innovative teaching techniques have you found effective in making Analytical Chemistry accessible and exciting for students? 2. How do you see Analytical Chemistry shaping the future of various industries, and what skills should we focus on developing in our students? 3. What are some of the most groundbreaking applications of Analytical Chemistry you've come across recently? Let's start a conversation and share our insights and experiences. Together, we can ignite a passion for Analytical Chemistry and empower the next generation of scientific trailblazers! #AnalyticalChemistry #ChemistryEducation #FutureOfScience #TeachingInnovation

My first semester of college I took Chemistry 101. Despite making only one B thru high school…in chemistry…my academic advisor suggested I take it to get the general education requirements out of the way. over half that class was hoping to be pre-med. I was just trying to survive. After getting my first test back with a 63 and hearing that was “the easiest one of the semester” I knew I’d just be lucky to escape with a passing grade. I ended up speaking with my professor and asking for extra help. I met with him two mornings a week before class the rest of the semester. The week after exams were over my family was on a cruise and I slipped away one night after dinner, paid the $25 fee in the “Internet cafe” and checked my grades. In my entire academic career I’d made straight A’s, one B, and never anything else. That night, opening my first semester transcript to find a D, I almost broke into tears. I was so happy. I knew I’d never take another Chemistry and was so thankful I survived. I also knew there are plenty of things that I’m good at. Chemistry was not one. One of the best things I’ve done for my professional life is clearly identifying the things I’m not good at. Knowing what I’m not good at allows me to focus on the things i excel in. These are the things that give me life. People. Relationships. Talking. Encouraging. Team building. Empowering. #dothingsdifferently

Making Chemistry Relevant: Engaging Teaching Strategies and Exciting Experiments Discover how schools are revolutionizing chemistry education and making it interesting for students. Learn about innovative teaching techniques and fun experiments that bring the subject to life. Join us as we explore the connection between chemistry and real-world applications, captivating students along the way. #ChemistryEducation #EngagingTeaching #ExcitingExperiments #ScienceEducation #ChemistryClass #RealWorldApplications #InteractiveLearning #ChemistryFun #EducationRevolution #SchoolInnovation

🌟 Why I Love My Job as a #ChemistryTeacher 🌟 Today the sun is shining and I'm feeling good. Here are some reasons why I think #teaching is the best job going (remember to ask me again in November for a comparison 🤣): • The Buzz of a School: There’s an electric energy in the air in a school. The hustle and bustle, the laughter, and the occasional chaos—it all contributes to the vibrant atmosphere of a school and I love it. • Unpredictability Every Day: No two days are the same! Whether it’s a lively discussion, an unexpected question, or a an experiment gone awry, the unpredictability keeps me on my toes. The same lesson content to two different classes with different needs will be so different. Teachers are the super heroes of adapting 🦸♀️ • Inspiring Young Minds: Watching learners light up with curiosity/shock/wonder and discover the wonders of chemistry is AMAZING. Their enthusiasm fuels my passion for teaching and I hope my enthusiasm fuels their passion for learning. • Opening Doors to Opportunities: Chemistry isn’t just about test tubes and setting fire to things (although these are things I love); it’s a gateway to exciting careers. By teaching chemistry, I empower my students to explore fields like medicine, environmental science, and materials engineering. • Explaining the Unexplained: When I see that “aha!” moment on a pupil’s face—when they finally grasp a concept they’ve always wondered about—it’s pure magic. • Making Chemistry Real: It is important to me to connect theoretical knowledge to real-world applications. From everyday products to environmental issues, chemistry surrounds us, and I love making it tangible for my students. • A Bit of Controlled Madness: Yes, teaching allows me to be a little crazy (in a good way!). Banging on about how much I love batteries, dancing to Despacito for charity, creating spectacular demos, and igniting curiosity—it’s all part of the fun. So here’s to the joy of teaching chemistry...please remind me of these joys in deepest darkest winter when I'm not so chipper 🤣!

#IBchemistry “ In my recent teaching experience, I had the opportunity to guide my IB Chemistry students through the intricate topic of ionic equations. Understanding the importance of this topic as a fundamental concept in chemistry, I aimed to make the learning experience both seamless and insightful for my students. To begin with, I approached the teaching of ionic equations by breaking down the theoretical aspects into manageable components. This involved explaining the concept of ionic compounds and their behavior in aqueous solutions. By illustrating the dissociation of ionic compounds into their constituent ions, I laid the foundation for understanding ionic equations as a representation of chemical reactions in solution. Next, I emphasized the practical relevance of ionic equations by connecting them to real-world applications. One such application is in the field of environmental chemistry, where ionic equations are crucial for understanding processes such as precipitation reactions that occur in natural bodies of water. By contextualizing the learning material in this manner, I aimed to demonstrate to my students the tangible impact of ionic equations in understanding and addressing real-world environmental challenges. Moreover, I integrated interactive learning methods into my teaching approach to ensure that my students were actively engaged in the learning process. This involved conducting experiments and demonstrations that allowed students to observe firsthand the principles behind ionic equations. By incorporating hands-on activities, I aimed to reinforce theoretical concepts with practical applications, thereby enhancing my students’ understanding and retention of the material. In conclusion, my approach to teaching ionic equations to my IB Chemistry students involved a seamless integration of theory and practice. By deconstructing the topic into digestible components, highlighting its relevance to real-world scenarios, and incorporating interactive learning methods, I aimed to provide my students with a comprehensive understanding of ionic equations that goes beyond the confines of the classroom.

🔬 Innovative Approaches in Chemistry Education: A Path to Cultivating Future Talent 🌟 In the face of rapidly evolving global demands, the landscape of education must shift to nurture innovative, practical, and adaptable talents. This is especially true in the realm of chemistry education. Here are few takes on them: Embracing Flexibility and Innovation The traditional methods of teaching are no longer sufficient. To prepare students for dynamic environments, we must incorporate flexible teaching contents and methods. This includes updating teaching concepts to reflect the latest advancements and the evolving requirements of various industries. By adopting innovative approaches, educators can foster an environment that promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills—key attributes for any successful professional. Integrating Green Chemistry A significant aspect of modern chemistry education is the incorporation of green chemistry principles. Green chemistry focuses on designing chemical processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. By embedding these principles into the curriculum, students gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainable practices. This approach not only enhances learning outcomes but also instills a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Students learn to appreciate the real-world impact of chemistry, promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Project-Based and Inquiry-Based Learning Traditional passive learning methods must give way to more interactive and engaging approaches. Project-based learning allows students to solve real-world problems through hands-on projects, fostering critical thinking and collaboration. Similarly, inquiry-based learning encourages students to explore scientific concepts through investigations and experiments, nurturing their curiosity and scientific inquiry skills. These methods ensure that students are not merely recipients of information but active participants in the learning process. People-Oriented Education A people-oriented approach in education recognises students as the primary participants in their learning journey. This approach moves away from traditional methods that focus solely on conveying information, emphasizing instead the development of self-learning and innovative skills. By involving students in the teaching process and encouraging them to design experiments and analyze data, educators can stimulate their interest and enthusiasm for learning. #ChemistryEducation #Innovation #Sustainability #LifelongLearning #FutureTalent #EducationReform #GreenChemistry #ProjectBasedLearning #InquiryBasedLearning #PhilosophyInEducation #PeopleOrientedLearning #STEMEducation #EducationalInnovation