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Air quality as a topic for complex learning tasks in chemistry education
Víšková, Vanesa ; Janoušková, Svatava (advisor) ; Teplý, Pavel (referee)
This bachelor thesis focuses on creating learning tasks, including determining their difficulty levels. The aim of the thesis is to contribute to expanding the portfolio of educational materials, specifically tasks at the grammar school level, to develop students' scientific literacy. The thesis presents three developed complex learning tasks, which were evaluated by a focus group for cognitive difficulty, content adequacy, and attractiveness. The results indicate that most tasks are suitable for high school education. The thesis also includes a discussion on the importance of scientific literacy in the context of PISA study and its situation among students in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, the thesis analyzes the Framework Educational Programme for Gymnasiums (RVP G) regarding the topic of air quality and provides theoretical foundations for creating complex learning tasks. The thesis also contributes to linking chemistry education with the cross-curricular theme of environmental education, as outlined in the RVP G. Key Words Air quality, learning tasks, PISA survey, chemistry education.
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USB-microscope and its possibilities for chemistry and geology education
Kopecký, Ondřej ; Šmejkal, Petr (advisor) ; Teplý, Pavel (referee)
Microscopes are a common tool in science education, used to demonstrate phenomena that are not visible to the naked eye. They are most commonly encountered in the teaching of biology, but could also be used in the teaching of other science subjects, such as geology or chemistry. In addition to microscopes, binoculars can also be used in teaching. One such alternative for binoculars is the USB-microscope, which has been expanding in recent years beyond its primary use in electrical engineering. It appears that the USB-microscope could be a suitable teaching tool. However, its wider use is inhibited by inexperience of teachers and students, as well as by the lack of teaching and materials that could effectively utilise the USB-microscope. Consequently, the objective of this study was to select and optimise experiments that are suitable for education and, at the same time, can utilise the USB-microscope to advantage in their presentation. Additionally, the objective was to create worksheets and supplementary materials for educators to facilitate the selected experiments. To achieve this, ten experiments were selected and optimized for both teaching and laboratory work with the USB-microscope. The appropriate supplementary materials, including worksheets, were then developed for these experiments. The...
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Development of Critical Thinking in Secondary School Chemistry Teaching
Horálek, Vlastimil ; Distler, Petr (advisor) ; Janoušková, Svatava (referee)
The diploma thesis, titled "Development of Critical Thinking in Secondary School Chemistry Teaching," presents a literary research about its key components. These include the definition of critical thinking, its significance, and a compilation of principles and methods dedicated to fostering its growth in teaching. While the definition of critical thinking is very broad, key areas include argumentation, higher-order thinking skills, and inquiry-based activities. Critical thinking is linked to both motivation and prior knowledge of a given subject, it is necessary to train it repeatedly. Based on the literary research, three comprehensive learning activities were created to facilitate the development of critical thinking within Chemistry teaching. These activities were tested in Chemistry lessons and were improved based on feedback received from the students. The finalized versions of these activities are a part of the diploma thesis. Key words critical thinking, Chemistry teaching, activating methods, argumentation
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Kratom as a candidate for a new topic in chemical education
Vacková, Kateřina ; Rusek, Martin (advisor) ; Kuhnová, Marta (referee)
The bachelor thesis aims to raise awareness of interested parties about the psychoactive substance kratom and to highlight the issue of kratom in today's society. It places the substance in a historical context and describes its different varieties together with its chemical content, phytochemistry, preparation, and use. The work also aims to outline the issue of kratom in terms of its addictive potential, legislation and places the issue in a school environment. Through two case studies, using data collection methods in the form of semi-structured interview, survey, and data analysis, specific situations of kratom use by school students, the approach of teachers together with the chosen solution, and the students' and teachers' attitudes towards the issue at hand are described. The whole work then sets the basis for a possible introduction of the kratom topic into chemistry lessons, for example through chemistry textbooks. The data obtained confirmed the increasing incidence of kratom use by secondary school students and the existence of kratom as one of the current topics among the young generation. The results show a majority interest of teachers and students in further education in this area and in the possible integration of the kratom topic in the classroom. The case studies also indicated a...
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Research on material didactic tools used in teaching chemistry at lower-secondary schools in Czechia
Štruplová, Hana ; Rusek, Martin (advisor) ; Hamerská, Lucie (referee)
This bachelor's thesis focuses on the use of material didactic tools in teaching chemistry at lower-secondary schools in the Czech Republic. The research primarily concentrated on instructional tools and didactic technology due to their closer relation to the content, methods, and forms of teaching. Special emphasis was placed on the use of textbooks and their structural components. The goal of the bachelor's thesis was to identify which material didactic tools are present in the lessons, as well as their duration and mode of use in teaching. Specifically regarding textbooks, the thesis aimed to map out which structural components of textbooks are utilized in chemistry lessons and with which topics. Therefore, in the theoretical part, the thesis addresses the characteristics of these selected tools, followed by an examination of their significance in teaching. The research method employed was systematic observation of chemistry lessons in lower-secondary schools across the Czech Republic. The analysis of the collected data revealed that blackboards, worksheets, printed materials, and various ICT tools were most frequently used in chemistry lessons. Textbooks were used in 21 % of the observed lessons. The data also indicated that the type of tool used was influenced by the topic being discussed. The...
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Analysis of experimental activities in chemistry textbooks for primary schools
Špísová, Klára
The aim of the thesis is to analyze experimental activities in chemistry textbooks for primary schools in the Czech Republic. The types of activities and their placement in the phases of teaching, cognitive demand are examined. The analysis includes the most used textbooks of chemistry - textbooks by Fortuna: Základy chemie 1, 2 and Základy praktické chemie 1, 2. Textbooks by Nová škola, Fraus and Taktik for 8th and 9th grade. All textbooks contain suggestions for practical activities, most of them are in the ZCH, FR and NŠ textbooks. Different types of activities are identified in the chemistry textbooks, such as independent student activity, observation of teacher demonstration, laboratory work, watching videos, pictures and solving problems. Independent student activity and observation of teacher demonstration are the most common. FR and T textbooks also offer interactivity through videos. Practical topics focus mainly on the exposure phase of the lesson. In terms of the development of cognitive operations, the tasks in the chemistry textbooks focus on lower-level operations such as memorization, comprehension, and application. Higher operations, especially the development of making, was mainly in the textbooks for grade 8. The textbooks published by NŠ had a balanced representation for both grades.
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Eye-tracking as a method for monitoring students' strategies when working with the periodic table of elements
Kopecký, Adam ; Šmejkal, Petr (advisor) ; Míka, Luděk (referee)
Teaching methods try to improve every year, and modern technologies help this progress. One of these technologies is the eye-tracking method. This method allows capturing certain procedures of the respondents from their eye movements. We can subsequently derive certain specific strategies from the procedures, and subsequently adapt the teaching materials to themThe thesis focuses on the detection of different strategies of pupils when working with the periodic table with the help of an eye-tracking device. The work uses a pre-prepared test in which the students determined the specific location of specific elements in a table with displayed element symbols and proton numbers and subsequently the location of other specific elements in a blind periodic table. Subsequently, the strategy of pupils with higher self-confidence was examined and compared with the strategy of pupils with lower self-confidence. Success in finding individual elements in the test was also compared. A typical strategy, which was observed in most respondents, is to determine the location where the element is most likely to be located and then search in a sufficient area for signs that could belong to the searched element. This fact does not apply only in the case of the search for the element antimony, which the respondents could...
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Freshman chemistry student teachers' ability to balance chemical equations: performance, procedure and the effect of applet use
Hamerská, Lucie ; Rusek, Martin (advisor) ; Bílek, Martin (referee)
The research undertaken for this master thesis mapped the students' ability to evaluate chemical equations. Three main aspects were investigated: success in balancing equations, procedures and the use of the applet environment. The research sample consisted of 11 freshmen chemistry student teachers. Eye-tracking in combination with retrospective think-alouds and interviews were used to analyze the students' procedures. This thesis builds on the author's previous bachelor thesis and uses findings from the evaluation of pre-tests that addressed basic chemistry concepts in the area of particulate nature of matter and the ability to work with chemical representations with a special focus on chemical equations. The results of the research highlight the gap between conceptual understanding of the topic of chemical equations and algorithmic ability to balance chemical equations. Only five students out of 11 achieved the same results in the individual parts of the research. The achievement of more than half of the students was below what is expected at the upper secondary level. Analysis of the procedures identified problems in the students' equation balancing that may have affected their success - basic mathematical skills, omitting the final check, having to use higher values of stoichiometric...
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Use of the game Minecraft in teaching chemistry
Mrvová, Marie ; Míka, Luděk (advisor) ; Martínek, Václav (referee)
The aim of the bachelor thesis is to introduce the digital game Minecraft Education as a didactic tool in teaching chemistry. The theoretical part deals with the issue of integrating digital games into education, especially into science education. It defines the concepts and presents the advantages and disadvantages that are associated with the implementation of digital games in teaching. The history of the development of digital games and the digitalisation of education in our country is also briefly mapped. In the practical part, the game Minecraft Education is introduced. The tools and features that enable its use in chemistry classes are described. Its educational potential is explored and the problems associated with its integration into the classroom are outlined. Keywords digital game, video game, computer game, education, game-based learning, chemistry teaching, Minecraft Education
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Analysis of experimental activities in chemistry textbooks for primary schools
Špísová, Klára ; Rusek, Martin (advisor) ; Beneš, Pavel (referee)
The aim of the thesis is to analyze experimental activities in chemistry textbooks for primary schools in the Czech Republic. The types of activities and their placement in the phases of teaching, cognitive demand are examined. The analysis includes the most used textbooks of chemistry - textbooks by Fortuna: Základy chemie 1, 2 and Základy praktické chemie 1, 2. Textbooks by Nová škola, Fraus and Taktik for 8th and 9th grade. All textbooks contain suggestions for practical activities, most of them are in the ZCH, FR and NŠ textbooks. Different types of activities are identified in the chemistry textbooks, such as independent student activity, observation of teacher demonstration, laboratory work, watching videos, pictures and solving problems. Independent student activity and observation of teacher demonstration are the most common. FR and T textbooks also offer interactivity through videos. Practical topics focus mainly on the exposure phase of the lesson. In terms of the development of cognitive operations, the tasks in the chemistry textbooks focus on lower-level operations such as memorization, comprehension, and application. Higher operations, especially the development of making, was mainly in the textbooks for grade 8. The textbooks published by NŠ had a balanced representation for both grades.
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