Abstract:

The Laboratory of Chemistry IV was a core laboratory subject taught at the third course of the Degree in Chemistry, with two parts, one corresponding to Physical Chemistry and a second to the Analytical Chemistry. This last one consists in practical related to: titration (acid/base, precipitation, complexometry and redox), UV-Visible absorbance and potentiometry. An innovative approach was implemented to improve the participation and preparation of the practical by the students, as well as the teaching-learning process. Each pair of students had to prepare and expose an oral presentation before the session to the entire group related to the theoretical background, material, experiments and interpretation of the results of the practical to-be-executed. Later, a discussion took place, where the other students exposed their doubts and the speakers had to solve them. The teacher moderated and complemented the exposition, and corrected the possible misconceptions. Furthermore, the exposition was evaluated by the professor and the other students, through responding a questionnaire with several questions on the presentation (formal aspects, communication and didactic content) and a general opinion. This was carried out the nine practical session. We expect to reach the following accomplishments: increasing the preparation of the practical, practicing the elaboration and exposition of oral presentations, improving the oral intercommunication skills (non-verbal communication, expositive clearness, etc.), and introducing to the evaluation, which would be useful for self-evaluations.

Keywords:

Chemistry, Laboratory, Non-classroom work, Oral exposition, University.