Abstract:

The course "Chemical elements" was given for the first time this year in the format of degree at the University of Girona. The precedent subject, "Inorganic Chemistry", had experienced a previous adaptation to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) with the intention of improving the quality of learning. Some basic features were:

- Production of new teaching materials, including the development of digital teaching resources.
- Experimentation with new teaching methodologies.
- Promotion of teamwork.
- Development of cross-cutting activities.
- Incorporation of new evaluation methods.

Regarding the first point, the platform moodle has simplified communication with students outside the classroom. This platform allows students the access to information of the subject more easily and makes available many useful tools which are not, however, the purpose of this communication.

The experience presented is a new teaching methodology, consisting of the students, in groups of four, should prepare an explanation of an element in the periodic table. The presentation should include an experiment to illustrate the properties of the element studied.

The activity is assessed and so far has proved to be a useful tool to motivate students. The presentations, approximately fifteen minutes are added to the usual dynamics of a class. Students become somewhat expert on the element studied and are able to transfer this expertise to other peers. Experiments should be non dangerous, neither toxic. If it is not possible, the experiment can be recorded, even with a mobile, and showed to the rest of the classroom. The experiment is carried out with teacher’s collaboration and always becomes the best part of the speech.

The experience is satisfactory for both student participation and also for the level of the presentation. Furthermore, the results of the evaluations are also very positive.

Keywords:

Teaching methodologies, participatory lessons, students motivation.