JCE Online Journal of Chemical EducationDivision of Chemical Education, American Chemical SocietyAmerican Chemical Society
 | Subscriptions  | Software Orders  | Support  | Contributors  | Advertisers  | 

JCE Print
   Current Issue
 Previous Issues
 Supplements
 Search JCE Index

JCE Digital Library
   JCEDLib Catalogue
   ChemInfo
 Data-Driven Exercises
 DigiDemos
 Featured Molecules
 LivTexts
 LrnCom
 QBank
 SymMath
 WebWare

JCE Software
   Latest Releases
 Software & Video
 Downloads
 Support

Only@JCE Online
   JCE Online Store
 JCE HS CLIC
 JCE Discussion Forums
   Biographical Snapshots
 ChemEd Resource Shelf
 Featured Molecules
 Hal's Picks
 Project Chemlab
 Reviewed WWW Sites
 "Web-Ed" Articles

About JCE
   Features
 Publications
 Operations
 Outreach
 Contact Us


  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2006  > April  >
In the Classroom
Interdisciplinary Connections
Translating a Linguistic Understanding of Chemistry to Outcome Achievement and Interdisciplinary Relevance in the Introductory Classroom
Joseph M. Nemeth
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Chicago, IL 60608
Cover
April 2006
Vol. 83 No. 4
p. 592
Abstract
Chemistry holds a unique position among the sciences in that it is linguistic in nature: the periodic table of the elements is an alphabet; molecular formulas parallel words; chemical equations correspond to sentences. Chemical educators, particularly at the introductory level, can draw upon students' experiences with languages to convey these basic chemical precepts, and can further reinforce the analogy in assessment. The benefits of this pedagogy are potentially great: students are able to learn chemistry in a familiar academic environment; chemical knowledge becomes endowed with a new relevance; and philosophical issues relating to the functions of a scientific language can be visited. While chemistry as an academic discipline is thus demystified, chemistry as a language permits the apprehension of realities not apparent to the senses, potentially providing a sense of wonder for introductory students.
More Information
*  Citation
 Nemeth, Joseph M. J. Chem. Educ. 2006 83 592.
*  Keywords
 Enrichment / Review Materials; Interdisciplinary / Multidisciplinary; Testing / Assessment
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 2/24/2006
2/24/2006
<< Previous Article Table of Contents Next Article >>
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2006 > April > Page 592



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.
More About CTC
Order the Chemistry Teacher Connection

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. 
 C&EN CLICs

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.
 List of available collections

Contributions Welcome
JCE welcomes your submission
 Contributors's Corner

Subscriptions
 Subscription Info
 Order Forms

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

Email Us

Comments to
jceonline@chem.wisc.edu		 Copyright © Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society.
All rights reserved.