Multimedia Learning Objects (MLOs) to Support the Teaching and Learning of
A-level Chemistry
Dr Marie Ferris
Lumen Christi College Derry
March 2011
INTRODUCTION
As a Specialist Science School, Lumen Christi College aspires to be a centre for promotion of STEM Teaching. In September 2007 we embarked on a partnership with Stranmillis College to support the introduction of the new BEd Post Primary Science/ Mathematics Degree Course, as this afforded an ideal opportunity to promote two of the key aspects.
The partnership consists of an annual 3-day programme.
During their first visit to the school the students observe Mathematics and Science lessons and discuss lesson planning before sharing in the process of post–lesson reflection with their teacher mentors.
On the return visit each of the students teaches a Mathematics and Science lesson under the watchful eye of their teacher mentors who then provide feedback.
On the third day, the Science and Mathematics teachers involved visit Stranmillis to take part in the review and assessment of the students’ assignments in consultation with the Mathematics and Science lecturers.
In May 2009, the Stranmillis students produced video papers for a Mathematics assignment and a Multimedia Learning Object (MLO) for Science - this was a combination of video and audio discussion/reflection from themselves, their lecturer, and their teacher mentor with text.
I thought that these MLOs could prove very useful as an independent learning tool to assist AS Chemistry students preparing for Module 3 CCEA AS course – the practical paper. So in collaboration with Mr Fergal Corscadden CEPD Stranmillis College, I have produced MLOs to support the teaching and learning of some practical aspects of A level Chemistry.
The MLOs consist of video and supporting resources (notes and exam questions) relating to:
· Preparation of Bromobutane
· Preparation of Ethyl Ethanoate
· Preparation of Iodoform
The completed “objects” are in [html] format, and are easily accessed via the school website. They can be viewed http://www.lumenchristicollege.co.uk/index.php?sec_id=303&parent=115
Each MLO consists of:
o Basic introduction page
o Main video papers
o Past paper questions & solutions
o Power Point
o Teacher notes
o Worksheets.
In the pilot phase of the project, both students from Lumen Christi College and Stranmillis student teachers were able to access these resources online before and after their actual practical classes. The availability of these reusable resources means that both sets of learners can access this content off campus and prepare more effectively for practical classes and reflect on these afterwards.
These resources will now be made available to all students throughout Northern Ireland, via the Lumen Christi College and Stranmillis College websites.
The Outcomes in Terms of Improved Practice by the Teacher.
The resources are particularly useful for teachers new to A Level Chemistry, as they make explicit key links between the practical techniques and theory.
The MLOs can also be used by experienced Chemistry teachers to demonstrate a particular practical to a less experienced teacher, without taking up the time that a real demonstration may involve and also these allow stopping and reinforcing teaching points step by step. This can aid professional dialogue between more experienced and less experienced teachers and thus improve the quality of teaching and learning.
The resources allow teachers to convey the key concepts and ideas underlying organic syntheses – a crucial part of the A-Level course. It can often be difficult to describe accurately the practical principles involved in preparing organic compounds in such a way that students grasp the reasoning behind safety precautions, the ordering of steps and the processes involved.
Teachers can use these as a plenary to a practical lesson, to allow students to recap on their observations and deductions or indeed assist students prior to the practical session. All include power points that can be used as a teaching and learning tool as well as step-by-step explanation of the practical procedures and past paper questions as exemplars of assessment.
The Outcomes or Benefits of the Activity in Terms of Improvements in Pupils’ Learning Experiences.
Students could undoubtedly benefit from use of the videos in preparing for CCEA -AS Module 3. The learning objects can be used as a revision resource, as practical techniques can be revisited quickly prior to the AS practical exam.
These are especially helpful when students have failed to complete the practical or perhaps have had insufficient reflection time to fully understand what has taken place.
For students who have been absent for a practical lesson, the learning objects provide a quick way to catch up missed work.
Though it is obviously preferable that all students should be given the opportunity to experience practical work for themselves, as a substitute for a practical demonstration when time, laboratory access or fume cupboard access is restricted, a learning object is a better resource than a textbook or verbal description.
Indeed, for many students, the learning objects offer a very interesting take on describing organic syntheses and laboratory procedures which can, otherwise, be quite tedious to rote learn. Seeing the reaction conducted in chronological order, with safety and method rationalised throughout, would surely have a much more direct impact on improving students’ knowledge of syntheses.
How the Success of the Professional Development Activity has been / will be Evaluated.
Lumen Christi College A level students have used and evaluated the Learning Objects and found them most useful in both preparing for AS CCEA Module 3 examination and, also revising the practical aspects of the course for other modules.
BEd Post Primary Mathematics and Science students at Stranmillis College have found them extremely useful as aides to practical sessions and in reviewing and understanding the practical techniques involved.
At present, in collaboration with Dr John Mc Cullagh Stranmillis College, we are asking a group of A level Chemistry teachers to review the materials and report back on their usefulness and indeed the ways they can be improved.
Reflection by the Teacher on the Value and Effectiveness of the Activity
Involvement in this project has been demanding in terms of organisation of resources and personnel and has involved a lot of evaluation and reflection by those involved. It has afforded the Chemistry teachers in Lumen Christi College an opportunity to engage in professional dialogue within the department and with our colleagues in Stranmillis College.
Three of the four teachers within the department have now completed at least one MLO, three of these can currently be accessed from the College website and a further two are nearing completion.
I think that we now have developed some very relevant teaching and learning resources that are of value to both teachers and students of A level Chemistry.
Future Plans
The next stage is to finish and upload on to the website the other two MLOs which involve Testing for Ions and Tests for Organic Functional Groups.
The Head of Technology in Lumen Christi College has developed an independent learning tool to assist students studying GCSE Technology with mathematical aspects of the subject.
I then intend to develop further MLOs concentrating on aspects of A2 Chemistry practical work to support teaching and learning.
In collaboration with my colleagues in Stranmillis College, we are at present carrying out an evaluation of the usefulness of these learning objects with a view to improving the finished product but the concept and quality of the production to date has been high and, at the Association for Learning Technology Conference (ALT-C) (2010) at the University of Nottingham, the Preparation of Bromobutane Multimedia Learning Object was used in a promotional flyer for the developers of the Generative Learning Object Maker tool (GLO), as an example of what can be done with their software.
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