New Perspectives in Science Education

Last 10 years Latvian national chemistry exam results have been researched and calculation tasks successful solution level downgrade tendency observed. Study author created an approach to help teachers in calculation tasks’ solution teaching and training.  E-learning methodology has been created based on Uzdevumi.lv platform’s editor that provided virtually unlimited opportunity to individualise conditions, solve problems studying chemistry and organise competence tests.  Effectiveness of methodology has been measured by a pedagogical experiment where 250 students from class 8 and 9 and 10 teachers with different pedagogical experience participated.  Opportunities of ICT tools in performing calculation tasks’ solving competence and checking results, principle of memorisation and basics of algorithms for calculation tasks have been researched. Main difference in methodology and using Uzdevumi.lv task editor compared with classical methods is the possibility to create calculation tasks with condition variations to increase diversity and individualised approach to each student. In the result chemistry calculation basic formulas have been combined with algorithms and numbers’ randomisation allowed to create more than 1700 tasks with different conditions for the experimental group. Methodology has been tested and evaluated as recommended to use in Latvian schools to increase students’ calculation tasks’ solving skills in chemistry courses for lower chemistry secondary education level. Students' interest in e-learning platforms in chemistry lessons has been detected but nevertheless the majority believe that ICT and classic (printed tasks and communication with teacher) teaching tools should be used evenly.

Keywords ICT course, chemistry education, e-learning, methodology