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Commentary

We'll Make You a Better Teacher: Learning from Guitar Techniques

Thomas J. Greenbowe

Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011

J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (2), p 191

DOI: 10.1021/ed085p191

Publication Date (Web): February 1, 2008

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

It is worth noting that there are more resources and more uses of technology available world-wide to help individuals become better guitar players than there are resources available to help individuals become better science teachers. Providing resources and services to help individuals become effective chemistry teachers and improve their chemistry teaching and expand their range of techniques is a worthwhile endeavor. This commentary proposes that a new magazine should be developed and designed to complement and augment the Journal of Chemical Education, the Examinations Institute, the BCCEs, and programming at regional, national, and international meetings. We need to be making use of the expertise of chemical educators from around the world to convey the best practices of teaching chemistry. This magazine would feature topics directly relating to teaching chemistry in the classroom and it would include master teachers explaining and discussing chemistry education techniques. A Web site and perhaps a DVD would have digital movies of master chemistry teachers illustrating how they implement a specific technique with students. The Web site would serve as a repository for resources. It would serve as an alternative site for professional development.