Title

Learning Dimensional Analysis through Collaboratively Working with Manipulatives

Authors

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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