A
SYMPOSIUM
Instruction in Inorganic Chemisery The rebirth of interest in inorganic chemistry and the very substantial progress in research in inorganic areas-both within the past few yearsrender an examination of instructional practices particularly appropriate a t the present time. This is especially true in the light of the physical and theoretical approaches that are in many regions of teaching supplanting the classical, purely descriptive treatments. I t is true, also, in the sense that the descript,ive areas still retain their importance and require consideration within some general framework that also embraces theory. In arranging this symposium,' therefore, the chairman has asked that cont,rihutors give attention to the general themes of "What we should teach" and "How me should teach it." Within these bounds, it has seemed logical t,o devote attention both to our own approaches and t o those that are being used abroad with well-known effectiveness. Accordingly, in the papers that follow, some comparisons between Amer-
' A symposium sponsored jointly by the Division of Inorganic Chemistry and bhe Division of Chemical Education at the 134th meeting of the American Chemical Society, Chicago, September, 1958.
ican and European instruct,ion, somc new appn~aches to lecture and laboratory instruction, and some suggestions for implementing the latter are included as expressions of these themes. Quite obviously, within the limits of such a program or it has been impossible to include every current T,lew ' perhaps any more than a small sampling of present thought and practice. It is reasonable to hope, however, that the material presented will stimulate others to formulate their own concepts and to hring them to the att,ention of both t,eachers and research workers in inorganic chemistry. It is reasonable to hope also that the lat,ter will in turn present their own views since in the light of their experiences and contacts many of them have most certainly been moved to evaluate college and university instruct,ion crit,ically. If inorganic chemistry is to continue its healthy growth and maintain its position of eminence, all inorganic chemists must a t all times do everything that can logically keep instruction in inorganic chemistry modern, meaningful, and stimulating. Therald Moeller, chairman of symposium University of Illinois, Urbona
Volume 36, Number 9, September 1959
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