A Study of the Impact of Microscale/Small Scale Chemistry Experiments on the Attitudes and Achievements of the First Year Students in Glasgow University

[摘要] This study is intended to measure the attitudes of First Year Chemistry Students and Demonstrators at Glasgow University, and also the impact of microscale experiments on the achievements of students. In 1993-94, two experiments from the First Year Organic Chemistry Course were selected for modification to Small Scale. Small Scale apparatus and techniques were used by the students. Questionnaires were devised for the students and demonstrators for the measurement of their attitudes toward different aspects of Small Scale Experiments. In 1994-95 three experiments (partially or fully) from the First Year Inorganic General Chemistry were selected for modification to Small Scale. This year students used the Small Scale apparatus and techniques with modified written instructions in which the procedures of experiments were fully explained. A questionnaire to measure the attitudes of students toward Inorganic Small Scale Experiments was designed in the same year. Moreover, the achievements of students in the Small Scale Experiments and Normal Scale Experiments were also studied. This study revealed that students liked Small Scale experiments and would prefer them to the Normal Scale, provided that the following two opportunities are given to them: a. the students are fully briefed about the usefulness of the Small Scale experiments; b. the different techniques used in these experiments are fully explained to students before starting any experiments.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow

[关键词] Science education