Will it work for us?Will it work for us?Dan CluneDan Clune
IT596IT596Spring 2005Spring 2005
Why??Why??First year teaching chemistry!!!
I use Technology!!!!
Wrong place at the wrong time!!!
“ChemDiscovery is a full-year high school chemistry
curriculum that integrates computer programs, activities and text to provide an inquiry-
based learning environment design to adapt to individual learning needs
and learning styles.”
Classroom OrganizationClassroom Organization
Group, 38%
Individual, 9%
Teacher Led, 53%
Group, 17%
Individual, 19%
Teacher Led, 64%
ChemDiscoveryChemDiscovery TraditionalTraditional
Admin, 13%
Facilitator, 13%
Director, 16%
Lecturer, 58%
Teacher’s RoleTeacher’s Role
ChemDiscoveryChemDiscovery
Admin, 10%
Facilitator, 38%
Director, 12%
Lecturer, 40%
TraditionalTraditional
On the American Chemical Society On the American Chemical Society TestTest
No significant differences in scores No significant differences in scores between ChemDiscovery class and between ChemDiscovery class and those of a traditional class. those of a traditional class.
ChemDiscovery program places heavy ChemDiscovery program places heavy demands on teachers. demands on teachers.
Developers available to instructors. Developers available to instructors.
Improve student attitude Improve student attitude toward chemistry!!!!!!!toward chemistry!!!!!!!
Material CoveredMaterial Covered Balancing EquationsBalancing Equations Reaction TypesReaction Types
One ChemDiscovery One ChemDiscovery class.class.
One traditional class.One traditional class. Pre Survey – Post Survey.Pre Survey – Post Survey. Pretest – Posttest.Pretest – Posttest. Data Analysis.Data Analysis.
Methodology Methodology
Methodology – Pre - SurveyMethodology – Pre - SurveyStudent Survey
They actually care about how we like to
learn!!
Methodology – Pre - TestMethodology – Pre - TestStudent Test
Wow!!!!!This stuff is
hard!!!
Computer SimulationsComputer Simulations
Methodology - InstructionMethodology - Instruction
Traditional ApproachTraditional ApproachControl GroupControl Group
ChemDiscovery ApproachChemDiscovery Approach
Experimental GroupExperimental Group
LectureLectureLabsLabs
HomeworkHomeworkPracticePractice
LectureLectureLabsLabs
HomeworkHomeworkPracticePractice
Instruction DifferencesInstruction Differences
Traditional Approach (Control Group)Traditional Approach (Control Group)
ChemDiscovery Approach (Experimental ChemDiscovery Approach (Experimental Group)Group)
Methodology – Post - SurveyMethodology – Post - SurveyStudent Survey
I really liked the computer
lessons!!!!!
So, what was so
different????
Methodology – Post - TestMethodology – Post - TestStudent Test
I get it!!!
This is hard!!!
Methodology – Data AnalysisMethodology – Data Analysis
Results – Aptitude AnalysisResults – Aptitude Analysis
Pretest Posttest
Group Mean St Dev Mean St Dev Gain
Control 10.88 3.78 20.25 3.57 9.37
Experimental 9.91 2.33 18.45 3.54 8.54
t test for the Pretest of the Experimental and Control Groups. 0.125
t test between the Posttest of the Experimental and Control Groups. 0.045
0
5
1 0
1 5
2 0
2 5 Results – Aptitude AnalysisResults – Aptitude Analysis
ExperimentalPre-Test
ExperimentalPost-Test
ControlPre-Test
ControlPost-Test
{8.5 {9.4
Gain
Results – Aptitude AnalysisResults – Aptitude Analysis
Control Group – Larger GainControl Group – Larger Gain
Pre-test t-test: p > 0.05 (0.125)Pre-test t-test: p > 0.05 (0.125)
12.5% chance of random 12.5% chance of random error.error.
No aptitude gain from No aptitude gain from treatment.treatment.
2 .2
2 .2 5
2 .3
2 .3 5
2 .4
2 .4 5
2 .5
2 .5 5
E x p e r i m e n ta lP r e - S u r v e y
E x p e r i m e n ta lP o s t - S u r v e y
C o n t r o l P r e -S u r v e y
C o n t r o l P o s t -S u r v e y
Mea
n Su
rvey
Sco
re
Results – Attitude AnalysisResults – Attitude Analysis
Results – Attitude AnalysisResults – Attitude Analysis
Experimental Group Experimental Group
Higher Initial AttitudeHigher Initial Attitude
Increased after TreatmentIncreased after Treatment
Control Group Control Group
No ChangeNo Change
ConclusionConclusion
Use of ChemDiscovery Use of ChemDiscovery ProgramProgram
Positive Effect on AttitudePositive Effect on Attitude
Little effect on AptitudeLittle effect on Aptitude
One on One Teacher One on One Teacher InteractionInteraction
Effective form of InstructionEffective form of Instruction
ConclusionConclusion
The ChemDiscovery The ChemDiscovery Program is probably Program is probably notnot
the program us!! the program us!!
Implications for My Teaching/SchoolImplications for My Teaching/School
As a Teacher:As a Teacher: Find a balance between Aptitude and Find a balance between Aptitude and
Attitude.Attitude. Do I want students to like science?Do I want students to like science? Can the students pass State Requirements?Can the students pass State Requirements? Push toward a Differential Classroom.Push toward a Differential Classroom.
Prepare Students for College Science.Prepare Students for College Science. Will my Students Pursue Science Will my Students Pursue Science
Careers.Careers. Is Science just too hard!!!!Is Science just too hard!!!!
Implications for Future ResearchImplications for Future Research
Reflection on research:Reflection on research: Run research for a longer period.Run research for a longer period. Include more students in the study.Include more students in the study.
Personal Note:Personal Note: Confidence to do research.Confidence to do research. Perform Pilot Programs before changing Perform Pilot Programs before changing
curriculum.curriculum.