Chemical Education Today
From Past Issues
The More Things Change… Volume 1, No. 1
In January 1924 the Journal’s first issue was published—24 pages of useful information. Founding editor Neil Gordon explained that the new Journal would include “any worthwhile work done in Chemical Education”, encourage “community of effort in any instituted reforms”, support “the proper investigational atmosphere…in our classrooms”, and connect teachers and students with scientific organizations such as ACS. He also set the tone for all issues to come when he said that “chemistry teachers may glean from the above that this Journal is their property”. The second article, by Jacob Cornog and J. C. Colbert of the University of Iowa, dealt with the content of introductory college and high school chemistry courses. In a survey of 27 colleges and universities, Cornog and Colbert discovered that 13 stressed theory, 2 stressed facts, and 13 stressed both (there were two courses at the University of Chicago). Even though faculty stated that theory predominated in the courses, the textbooks all contained more than 50% descriptive material. A comparison of college and high school courses showed that college textbooks and examinations stressed theory much more than did high
2
school. Two-thirds of the college faculty indicated that they attempted to teach too much and that courses were overburdened with subject matter. The authors also wisely observed that “final examination questions set the goal of student effort, to a degree teachers little dream of.” Consequently they surveyed exam questions and found that “some sharp inconsistencies are indicated.” For example, the percentages of descriptive, factual questions (26.3%) and of theory-based questions (23.5%) were essentially equal, despite the strong inclination toward theory when instructors described their courses. They also found that “Great similarity exists among final examination questions asked at a majority of institutions.” The other major paper in this first issue was by Herbert R. Smith of Lake View High School, Chicago, who called upon teachers and textbook authors to inspire students by involving them in applying chemistry to authentic problems. Volume 25, No. 1
By 1948 the January issue had grown to 60 pages. Norris Rakestraw was editor, and the associate editors included Hubert N. Alyea and Joel H. Hildebrand. Harvey F. Mack, of Mack Printing Company (which still prints the Journal) was business manager. The editorial supported “Life Adjustment Education”, which advocated different high school curricula for those who would complete their education upon graduation and for those who were college bound. Editor Rakestraw expressed the hope that “equality of educational opportunity can be reconciled with vocational guidance for life adjustment”. In a continuing series on Chemical Education in American Institutions, Emma Perry Carr, Professor Emeritus at Mount Holyoke College, described the curriculum and facilities at the college, noting that the minimum requirements of the ACS Committee on Professional Training corresponded with the maximum number of hours allowed by the college in any one department. Florence E. Wall of New York City presented a brief scientific biography of Wilhelm Ostwald, who had passed away almost exactly 15 years before. There was con-
tinuing interest in general chemistry, exemplified by A. B. Garrett’s paper “Proficiency in General Chemistry: A Method of Integrating Anna Harrison and the High School Robert Parry at the secand College ond BCCE. Program”, which reported that students at the Ohio State University were selected into chemistry courses based on tests of arithmetic, chemistry, and general intelligence. The crush of students who had returned from military service apparently was responsible for a paper that described construction of extra lab drawers that could be placed in a hallway. The editor’s basket feature described a new silicone paint from General Electric Corporation that was expected to provide a lifetime finish for automobiles and refrigerators, and there was a full paper on manufacture of “Ethyl” antiknock compound (tetraethyllead). Volume 50, No. 1
The big news in January 1973 was the Second Biennial Conference on Chemical Education, which had drawn 450 chemistry educators to Mount Holyoke College the previous August. This was the first biennial open to everyone and initiated a series that has grown ever more successful. Anna Harrison, then immediate past chair of DivCHED, handled local arrangements for a much larger crowd than had been expected. Henry Bent, the conference chair, arranged for sessions on “Objectives of Education in Chemistry”, “Beyond the Conventional Classroom”, “Chemistry for Professional Students”, “Individualized Instruction in Large Courses”, and “Environmental Chemistry and Chemistry for Technicians and Nonscientists”. By popular demand, additional sessions were organized on “Grading”, “Secondary School Teaching and Teachers”, “Women in Chemistry”, “Audio-Visual Aids”, and “Courses for Nonscientists”. DivCHED Chair Robert Parry declared the conference a resounding success.
Journal of Chemical Education • Vol. 75 No. 1 January 1998 • JChemEd.chem.wisc.edu
