Chemistry Weekly Seminar - Dr. Amanda Bongers, Queen's University

Title

Memorable Molecules: How learners encode and visualize chemistry models

Abstract

If you are shown the molecule CH₃OH, how does your brain represent it in your mind? Is it “See-Aych-Four-Oh-Aych” or “methanol,” or do you visualize a 3-dimensional molecule, a clear liquid, or a characteristic odour? Despite decades of research into working memory, we still know little about how learners or experts encode and visualize scientific models in their minds. Our research group is trying to answer the questions: How do people encode and visualize chemistry models, which strategies help students, and what does this mean for learning?

With this work, we aim to understand how students experience learning in modern classrooms. In the past 20 years, there has been a drastic change in how chemistry is taught, practiced, and assessed. Chalkboards and pencils have been replaced by screens and PowerPoint. In our lab, we are modifying classic memory experiments and using them to study the basic mechanisms of chemistry cognition. This research targets fundamental questions that can shed light on learning chemistry in modern classrooms or digital environments.

Date:    Friday, October 29, 2021

Time:    1:30 pm

Zoom:   Link available by request to chem.dept@usask.ca