CREATIVE LAB REPORTS: MINECRAFT AND ADOBE IN CHEMISTRY
Dr Scott has been working with his Second Form Science class this half term to create video lab reports. Not only did he want the class to complete a GCSE Chemistry investigation, but he also wanted to use a range of digital platforms to teach them IT and presentation skills. He wanted the task to incorporate ‘Johnstone’s Triangle’, a chemistry teaching concept that aims to link micro and macroscopic themes alongside how chemists represent these concepts symbolically.
The class initially researched what variables could influence the rate of reaction between marble chips (calcium carbonate) and hydrochloric acid. This was followed by two lessons of practical work where they investigated two different variables and recorded their results. After analysing their results graphically, they set out to put together videos using Adobe Express. They were encouraged to use Minecraft Education and Chemix to support their video explanations and some even learned how to use Excel to make graphs.
Dr Scott was blown away by the quality of all the video submissions and the enthusiasm shown by the class and this ‘App-smashing’ project. Successful projects like these offer an alternative means to set assessments and measure progress, when staff continue to worry about the use of AI concerning plagiarism.
Dr B ScottTeacher of Science and Digital Learning Research and Development Coordinator
