Differentiation of teaching and learning mathematics: an action research study in tertiary education

Diversity and differentiation within our classrooms, at all levels of education, is nowadays a fact. It has been one of the biggest challenges for educators to respond to the needs of all students in such a mixed-ability classroom. Teachers’ inability to deal with students with different levels of readiness in a different way leads to school failure and all the negative outcomes that come with it. Differentiation of teaching and learning helps addressing this problem by respecting the different levels that exist in the classroom, and by responding to the needs of each learner. This article presents an action research study where a team of mathematics instructors and an expert in curriculum development developed and implemented a differentiated instruction learning environment in a first-year engineering calculus class at a university in Cyprus. This study provides evidence that differentiated instruction has a positive effect on student engagement and motivation and improves students’ understanding of difficult calculus concepts.     

Antioxidant behaviour of 2′‐hydroxy‐chalcones: a study of their electrochemical properties

The electrochemical behaviour of 13 chalcone analogues was systematically studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry at a glassy carbon (GC), gold and platinum working electrodes using two different supporting electrolyte/solvent combinations. It was found that chalcone analogues can be easily oxidized at both GC and gold working electrodes, but not at a platinum electrode. Principal component analysis was further employed to reveal similarities/dissimilarities between oxidation potentials, chronoamperometric signals and ability of the compounds to scavenge the reactive oxygen species H₂O₂. The study reveals the inverse proportional relationship between the scavenging ability of H₂O₂, expressed as IC₅₀, and chronoamperometric signal at 800 mV using gold as working electrode. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Planarity of ethylene/linear polyene analogues focused on π-electron holding ability of the components

Ethylene/polyene analogues composed of heavier group 14 elements, such as silicon and germanium, do not prefer a planar structure. In the repulsion dominant (RD) model of our previous study mainly focusing on the planarity of hexasilabenzene, it was demonstrated that electron repulsion promotes nonplanarization of heavy benzene analogues. In this study, we have investigated a correlation between intramolecular π-electron transfers (polarization effect) and planarity in various linear unsaturated compounds in order to deepen the RD model. Herein, it was revealed that the ability to hold π-electrons in the planar molecular structure is characteristic of each element. For example, carbon can hold more than one π-electron, whereas silicon and germanium cannot tolerate even one π-electron to keep the planar structure. Thus, π-accepting substituents on the heavy atom were found to make the heavy ethylenes and linear polyenes planar by controlling the number of π-electrons on each skeletal atom.     

基于结构性思维的生物化学实验教学探索

为了多维度地培养学生的实践创新能力、终身学习能力及信息获取能力等核心素养,以具体实验为例,探讨结构性思维在生物化学实验教学中的综合应用。教学实践表明：结构性思维可使知识更有序、梯度更明确、更易表达,实验操作变得程序化,学生学习倾向主动,是一种多维度地培养学生核心素养的教学模式。     

以硅酸盐材料为背景的教学素材开发

针对一线教师在设计硅酸盐材料一课时面对的困难,开发了与陶瓷、玻璃、水泥相对应的石家河红陶杯、洛阳浮法玻璃、白鹤滩大坝等3个教学素材。包含2个原创实验、7个资料、14个原创提问。开发的素材可用于硅酸盐材料高一新授课或以硅酸盐材料为情境的高三复习课中,也可为原创题的命制者提供参考。素材的选择遵循了立德树人的理念,培养了学生的爱国情怀,同时也提升了高级思维能力。     

“聚丙烯酸酯的合成及降凝性能评价”综合实验能力考核平台

设计了以柴油中饱和烃含量及碳数分布测定、聚丙烯酸高级醇酯（PTA）的合成与纯化、PTA的红外表征与分子量测定、PTA降凝性能评价等4个模块组成的综合实验，作为化工专业实验的考核及成绩评定平台。这种考核方式将过程考核与结果考核融合，将笔试、操作、设计融合，可以全面准确地考核学生的有机合成、仪器分析等基础实验技能，同时考核综述、数据处理、实验设计等综合实验能力和实验室工作素质。此外，还能够有效训练学生的学习能力、解决问题能力、实践能力和创新能力，并促进了实验教学水平提高。     

A novel cationic emulsifier used for preparing slow-cracking and rapid-setting asphalt: Synthesis,surface activity,and emulsification ability

A novel cationic emulsifier including nonionic fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether was synthesized in two steps from epichlorohydrin, octadecyl dimethyl amine, and fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, and the intermediate product could also be used as an emulsifier. Their structures were characterized by FTIR, and the surface activities were investigated by surface tension, electrical conductivity, and HLB. The obtained results indicated that the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the final product was low, 0.442 mmol/L, and the surface tension at the CMC was 41.02 mN/m. The hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) value was 12, which meet the requirements of asphalt emulsifiers. A series of experiments of the emulsified asphalt prepared by the emulsifiers were performed. The results showed that the emulsified asphalt could be stably stored for more than 5 days when the emulsifier was 2 wt% and the pH value was between 3 and 4. The result of demulsification experiments showed that the emulsifier is a slow-cracking and rapid-setting asphalt emulsifier.     

研究性学习在无机化学教学中的应用

This paper introduces the attempts of inquiry learning in inorganic chemistry teaching and proposes the significances of inquiry learning. The inquiry learning has been applied in experimental teaching, case teaching, experience teaching, etc. The implementation effects of inquiry learning are showed through teaching data. The practices indicate that the inquiry learning stimulates the students' learning initiatives, strengthens the interactions between teachers and students, cultivates the students' innovation abilities and exploration spirits, and improves the teaching effects.     

基于STEAM理念的高中化学创新实验研究——四氧化三铁磁流体的制备和性质探究

介绍了基于STEAM理念下让学生制备和表征四氧化三铁磁流体的化学实验探究。采用化学共沉淀法制备了磁性Fe3O4纳米颗粒。在外加磁场下磁流体能出现明显凸起。本实验简单、安全、现象明显、试剂用量小、适宜于学生独立实验操作。本研究旨在通过设置科学问题,让学生体验整个科研过程,培养学生的创造力。     

THE COURSE OF “STRUCTURAL MODEL DESIGN AND FABRICATION”

“知行统一” 的观念在教育界已深入人心,但是要做到切实履行却非易事。经过为期九年的精心打造,上海交通大学开设的创新型实践课程“结构模型设计与制作” 初步实现了“学与行” 的有机融合,教学效果显著,深受学生欢迎。本文是对该课程的总结与反思,希望对我国相关工科教学改革起到有益的借鉴作用。