Building the structural concepts of chemistry

Building the structural concepts of chemistry: some considerations from educational research

One of my publications is:

Taber, K. S. (2001) Building the structural concepts of chemistry: some considerations from educational research, Chemistry Education: Research and Practice in Europe, 2 (2), pp.123-158. doi:10.1039/B1RP90014E

This is published in the free access journal Chemistry Education: Research and Practice (published and sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry) and can be downloaded from: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2001/rp/b1rp90014e

Contents:

  • INTRODUCTION: CONSTRUCTING CHEMICAL KNOWLEDGE
  • LEARNERS' DIFFICULTIES IN LEARNING ABOUT STRUCTURE IN CHEMISTRY
    • Transferring between the molecular and the molar
    • Learning about atomic structure
    • Learning about molecular structure
    • Molecular orbitals
    • Learning about lattice structures
    • Macromolecular solids
    • Ionic bonding
    • Metallic bonding
    • Intermolecular bonding
  • SOME PEDAGOGIC OBSTACLES TO LEARNING ABOUT CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
    • An atomic ontology
    • The over-generalisation of the octet rule
    • A dichotomous classification of bonding
    • Ionic bonding understood by analogy with covalent bonding
    • Pre-occupation with ion formation
    • Social chemistry?
  • RESEARCH-BASED PRACTICE: SOME ADVICE TO CURRICULUM PLANNERS, AUTHORS AND TEACHERS
    • (1) Build on physical principles
    • (2) Focus on molecules and ions not atoms
    • (3) Teach bonds as electrical concepts (not magical or social concepts)
    • (4) Emphasise the non-molecular nature of non-molecular lattices!
    • (5) Take care with language
    • Concluding comments

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