Irena Rutar, Šolski center nova Gorica

Teaching chemistry should be based on experimental and task-based research work. It essentially comprises content-related activities with which students can solve problems.

During my previous chemistry lessons I always prepared teaching materials in advance and gave students clear instructions including the task description, the devices/equipment needed, the steps for the actual performing of the experiment and finally the questions providing consolidation and revision of the related content.

In this school year I have introduced a new method at acquiring experimental skills – i.e. the method of flipped learning with the help/use of tablet computers. At this type of teaching the emphasis is on the active role of the students throughout the whole learning process.

In the first part of the experimental practice I published the website link for a certain video clip in online classroom. The students watched the video at home and recognized the instructional steps for the completion of the task/activity. During the actual chemistry lesson the students independently wrote down the instructions for work with the help of the tablet computers and the instructional steps from their homework. I mostly offered the students mentoring and guidance. If it was necessary, I helped them during the lesson, cooperated with them and encouraged their mutual collaboration and help.

The second part of the experimental practice was carried out as pair work. One student was accomplishing his task in the laboratory, the other was recording the whole process. They watched each other’s videos at home and uploaded the written evaluation/comments of them to the online classroom.