Artifact 4: VSEPR Theory
In this particular unit of chemistry, we were moving in Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, in which students are taught to apply geometry to molecules so as to try to figure out what 3D shape they have. However, I knew from the start that this was going to be hard to conceptualize, so I decided to teach it in three different ways.
1. First, I had them all view a video on Schoology for homework before we started the theory in class.
1. First, I had them all view a video on Schoology for homework before we started the theory in class.
2. Second, I gave an in-class lecture on what VSEPR theory is and how to apply it using powerpoint slides
3. Third, I had them all do a lab in which they were building 3D versions of the molecules and then applying VSEPR theory to those molecules to determine what their shape was
Artifact 4.1: Student Surveys
Students took a quiz on VSEPR theory, and they were asked a question afterwards:
1. “VSEPR theory was taught in 3 different ways: the video, as a lecture in class, and via the molecule building lab. Which way helped you to learn it the best and why?”
Samples of what students said can be found in this portion of the artifact.
Artifact 4.2: Item Analysis
To analyze whether or not students "got" VSEPR theory at the end of this, I did an item analysis on the two questions on their quiz that were related to VSEPR theory.
Artifact 4 Analysis
This is a full analysis of all of the portions of Artifact 4.
3. Third, I had them all do a lab in which they were building 3D versions of the molecules and then applying VSEPR theory to those molecules to determine what their shape was
Artifact 4.1: Student Surveys
Students took a quiz on VSEPR theory, and they were asked a question afterwards:
1. “VSEPR theory was taught in 3 different ways: the video, as a lecture in class, and via the molecule building lab. Which way helped you to learn it the best and why?”
Samples of what students said can be found in this portion of the artifact.
Artifact 4.2: Item Analysis
To analyze whether or not students "got" VSEPR theory at the end of this, I did an item analysis on the two questions on their quiz that were related to VSEPR theory.
Artifact 4 Analysis
This is a full analysis of all of the portions of Artifact 4.