Topics and Tools

I could not help but choose two chemistry websites; one that represents the Periodic Table of Elements, and the other about Mixtures and Solutions.

http://periodicvideos.com/
http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/MixturesandSolutions/index.html

The former offers great videos for trials and experiments about each element in the periodic table. These experiments are conducted by professional chemists at the University of Nottinghill, UK. They perform many experiments that would otherwise be unsafe to try in the school lab, but will feed students’ curiosity. These videos reminded me of shows on Discovery Channel such as “Brainiacs” or “Myth Busters” where scientists play and learn rather than traditional ways of learning. They TRY! Showing these videos in class will be fun and educational, and while it is hard to watch them all, it will serve as a great homework assignment. These videos inspire doing many experiments and perhaps even exploring further with elements.

The second website offers many games, resources, and more important, audio stories about solutions. It would be nice to listen to these great stories as an introduction to a lesson or a conclusion. It could be a way to ask them to practice taking notes or summarizing. It is especially helpful for auditory students, and offers a change in theme to listen to a story rather than read a textbook.

The only challenge is that both websites are mostly one directional. They offer information in a creative way, but with a lot less interaction on the student’s part. However it can be easily remedied by using these websites as part of the lesson and building activities around them for inquiry.