Chemistry Unit 8

By the end of this unit, teachers and students will be able to:

• search the internet effectively
• download and use CamStudio
• create a commentary linked to a chosen topic in electrochemistry
• create a multimedia teaching and learning resource using screen capture tools
• open an email account on the internet, and upload a presentation to share (activity 3).

Electrochemistry is a branch of physical chemistry that involves either chemical reactions involved in making electricity or using electricity to decompose a chemical substance. Students find this topic quite difficult and not particularly relevant to their individual interests. This may be because they need to use ionic half-equations and understand oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer.

There are several videos, animations and texts that support the teaching of this topic; however, most teachers have a specific method of scaffolding information as they take students through the key points, and the information on the internet is not always appropriate. Screen capture technology allows teachers to edit videos and animations from the internet to create personalised learning resources. They can add video commentary to explain chemical processes to students.

Students can also use screen capture technology to support their understanding of this challenging topic. They can either search on the internet or be supplied with appropriate animated sequences related to topics in electrochemistry, eg fuel cells or electrolysis. One activity can involve students streaming animations from the internet and adding a voice-over commentary to support the science involved. The use of voice-overs focuses students' attention on the science and complements and extends their knowledge of these topics.

The ease of use of this software can act as a motivational tool to encourage students not only to be active but also to work collaboratively with their peers.

There are potential barriers and challenges to effective teaching and learning in this topic. The intended learning outcomes at the start of this unit are intended to address some of these barriers, trigger ideas and provide support in exploring new opportunities to enhance the learning and teaching process. Using ICT, teachers can look at ways to address some of these challenges, and develop new ways to engage, motivate and enhance teaching and learning. Below are some of the barriers and challenges to teaching and learning this topic:

• The teaching and learning material is often not particularly stimulating to young people and can be difficult to understand.
• Practical work is limited.
• Free multimedia resources are limited and although there are some excellent packages available, they need to be purchased. The advantage of CamStudio is that students or teachers can create a screen capture video by adding their own commentary to a streamed animation and can produce their own resource for
  no cost.

CamStudio software has been used for this activity. CamStudio is able to record screen and audio activity on a computer and create high-quality video files.

These are the software and hardware requirements:

• CamStudio, which can be downloaded free from http://camstudio.org/
• a microphone attached to a PC
• audio speakers attached to a PC.

• How to download CamStudio
• How to record using CamStudio

 An example of how to create a resource using an existing animation and screen capture technology: www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2vZ9o_0WyA

• Use CamStudio with students to record their work verbally and visually. For example, students could open a Word or PowerPoint document and record their thought processes in real time.
• Students can use CamStudio to explain the structure of fuel cells.
  They could download an image from the internet, and use Camstudio to explore the different parts of the image.

• CamStudio: www.camstudio.org
• Using animation to explain more about more cells
• The Triple Science Support Programme has produced a Quick Guide to support the teaching of Fuel Cells.

10. Download the complete instructions for chemistry unit 8 »

• Chemistry unit 8
• Chemistry unit 8 - pdf