Learning Dimensional Analysis through Collaboratively Working with Manipulatives

    Authors

    E. K. H. Saitta; M. J. Gittings;C. Geiger

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Chem. Educ.

    Keywords

    First-Year Undergraduate/General; High School/Introductory Chemistry; Chemical Education Research; Collaborative/Cooperative Learning; Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives; Mathematics/Symbolic Mathematics; Nomenclature/Units/Symbols; CHEMISTRY; MATHEMATICS; MODEL; GAME; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Education, Scientific Disciplines

    Abstract

    Dimensional analysis is traditionally one of the first topics covered in a general chemistry course. Chemists use dimensional analysis as a tool to keep track of units and guide them through calculations. Although unit conversions are taught in a variety of subjects over several grade levels, many students have not mastered this topic by the time they enter college. To properly equip beginning chemistry students, a collaborative active-learning activity was developed. This article describes the activity and reports data of the effects it had on students' performance in a first-semester general chemistry course at a large research institution.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Chemical Education

    Volume

    88

    Issue/Number

    7

    Publication Date

    1-1-2011

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    910

    Last Page

    915

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000291959400015

    ISSN

    0021-9584

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