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.