JCE Online Journal of Chemical Education
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 



  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > January  >
Research: Science and Education
A Content Analysis of General Chemistry Laboratory Manuals for Evidence of Higher-Order Cognitive Tasks
Daniel S. Domin
University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, Department of Chemistry, 1478 Midway Rd., Menasha, WI 54952-8002

Cover
January 1999
Vol. 76 No. 1
p. 109

Abstract
The science laboratory instructional environment is ideal for fostering the development of problem-solving, manipulative, and higher-order thinking skills: the skills needed by today's learner to compete in an ever increasing technology-based society. This paper reports the results of a content analysis of ten general chemistry laboratory manuals. Three experiments from each manual were examined for evidence of higher-order cognitive activities. Analysis was based upon the six major cognitive categories of Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The results of this study show that the overwhelming majority of general chemistry laboratory manuals provide tasks that require the use of only the lower-order cognitive skills: knowledge, comprehension, and application. Two of the laboratory manuals were disparate in having activities that utilized higher-order cognition. I describe the instructional strategies used within these manuals to foster higher-order cognitive development.
More Information
*  Citation
Domin, Daniel S. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 109.
*  Keywords
Introductory / High School Chemistry; Chemical Education Research; Laboratory Instruction; Teaching/Learning Theory/Practice
*  History
Created:
Last Updated:
June 15, 1999
June 22, 2005
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999 > January > Page 109



Chemistry Teacher Connection

The "Chemistry Teacher Connection" (CTC) is especially for high school chemistry teachers. For only $40/year, it offers an online-only subscription to CLIC along with membership in the Division of Chemical Education, normally $65/year. CTC subscribers receive access to all articles and supplements from 1996 through the current issue.


C&EN CLICs

Through special arrangement with the ACS, JCE High School CLIC is now able to provide subscribers with online access to Chemical & Engineering News articles that have been selected specifically for secondary science instructors and their students. 


JCE Collections Available
Occasionally, collections of JCE back issues become available for donation to individual teachers, schools, or libraries. JCE matches collections with interested recipients. Recipients pay shipping costs or pick up the collection.

Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission

Subscriptions

Fishing for New Ideas
Always in the
process of
improving, CLIC
welcomes ideas and comments.

Email Us

NSF logoDivCHEDACS ACS PubsFor journals in other fields of chemistry visit ACS Publications.