A big problem with my Chemistry class is that I do not have the laboratory materials or the safety materials to do hands-on labs. I have tried United Streaming videos and the small videos that acompany the textbooks. They have not grabbed my students attention. Hands-on and visualization has been proven to help with understanding.
So far with my ipad investigation, I am amazed at the graphics. I have never had a computer that is so clear and so life like. I will be able to have my smaller Chemistry class surround the iPad for viewing. However, I am hoping the images will be just as amazing through the projector.
The atom and how it bonds is the main feature of chemistry. If the apps on the iPad bring the atom to life, if then the students can draw on the computer or with paper and pencil their understanding of how and why atoms bond, my chemistry teaching is a success. I want them to visualize the atom streaming over to another atom across the periodic table to bond. I want them to understand and visualize why some bonds are stronger than others. Can they draw a carbon atom and make single, double and triple bonds with other atoms? Why does it make those certain bonds with different periodic groups? Why are some bonds stronger than others?
I have so much more to learn about implementing TPACK into this project through the iPad. I am so excited about sharing these features with you. There are so many Chemistry apps available. Now I must find the ones that bring it altogether.
This is exactly what I am looking for. I am glad you are so excited about the iPad. It really is a nifty gadget and is much different than a laptop or desktop. I love all the inexpensive and free programs that I can download.
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