Developing an Intuitive Approach to Moles

Hans de Grys
Interlake High School, 16245 NE 24th St., Bellevue, WA 98008
Dawn M. Wakeley
Lindbergh High School, 16426 128th Avenue SE, Renton, WA 98058-5599 and
J. Chem. Educ., 2000, 77 (8), p 1007
DOI: 10.1021/ed077p1007
Publication Date (Web): August 1, 2000

Abstract

The mole is an important theoretical concept and a powerful tool in the study of chemistry. Traditional approaches to teaching the mole focusing on memorization and rote learning do not help students to develop the conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills necessary to be truly successful in chemistry. An alternative approach is to use discovery-oriented laboratory exercises for helping students to develop an intuitive understanding of moles. Once students have discovered for themselves the utility and power of moles, the reason for using moles becomes obvious. Additional open-ended experiments provide students with the opportunity to apply this knowledge base in a non-directed laboratory setting.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Chemical Education Research

Keywords (Feature):

Secondary School Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Atomic Properties / Structure
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  • Received: August 03, 2009

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