Textbook

Textbooks and Supplements

Don Dahm and Eric Nelson have authored two textbooks that apply cognitive principles to teaching calculations in chemistry: Calculations in Chemistry — An Introduction, and Calculations in Chemistry — General Chemistry.  The contents are described below.

Calculations — Introduction

Calculations in Chemistry – An Introduction is a textbook that applies findings of cognitive research to teaching chemistry.  Published by W. W. Norton, the text is designed to serve as a stand-alone text in college Preparatory Chemistry and a supplement in first-semester General Chemistry and GOB Chemistry.

Results

In a recent report in the Journal of  Chemical Education, Dr. Peter Craig at McDaniel College reported on his use of the Calculations text for homework readings and problems in General Chemistry.  In the first year of his adoption, his students’ scores on the ACS General Chemistry Examination rose by over 20 percentiles, to above the 60th percentile.

His “before” (blue) and “after” (red) results are here:

CraigResults

The detailed report by Dr. Craig is at  J. Chem. Educ. 2018, 95 (8), 1434-1435 and at https://confchem.ccce.divched.org/content/2017fallconfchemp5 .

Dr. Craig reported that the homework lessons assisted both well-prepared and less-well-prepared students.

Review Copies

Instructors may request an examination copy of the 24 chapter Calculations paperback from W.W. Norton at

Calculations in Chemistry  –  An Introduction (2nd Edition)

A sample lesson may be reviewed at  GasLawLesson.pdf

For students, the retail cost of the paperback is less than $50 and the eBook can be rented for under $22.  Norton’s SmartWork online homework system designed to support the text is included.

Free Materials

The first two chapters of Calculations –Intro, covering exponential notation and the metric system, are posted for free student use — and as easy-to-use assignments from instructors —  at

ExpoMetric.PDF

(Depending on your browser, for links inside these PDF files to work, the files may need to be downloaded and then opened in a PDF reader.)

Two semester General Chemistry – Beta Version

Calculations In Chemistry —  General Chemistry , is a 39 chapter, 1,250 page collection of homework tutorials available as a PDF rental for one year for $40.

This book is a beta version only currently available as a PDF, but it covers most quantitative topics in both semesters of General and Engineering chemistry.

The Introduction paperback and eBook editions are easier for students to use, and Introduction is recommended as a place to start an experiment with the use of these texts.  But if you need additional topics covered, the 39 chapter book should be reviewed.  A sample chapter and Table of Contents is at

KMTsample.PDF    (unlock with ” Avo6021023 “)

For more information on this 39 chapter version, click  Gen Chem edition to reach the VitalSource distributor.  Search for ISBN 9780393871500 .  See the tab on receiving an instructor review copy.

Judy Hartman (US Naval Academy) has prepared a collection of challenging problems that can be worked in class with instructor guidance are available for all chapters of the general chemistry tutorials.  For samples, email   ToTheAuthors (at) ChemReview.Net .

Quizzes: 

For instructors using the books or ebooks with classes, editable weekly quizzes are available on the content.

  • Quizzes for all of the preparatory and general chemistry lessons can be obtained by sending an email to Quizzes@ChemReview.Net 
  •  Include in your email the text (Intro or Gen Chem) for which you are seeking quizzes.

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