| The development of sound research and problem-solving skills are essential to chemical research. As a chemical educator, it is desirable to implement appropriate instructional methods early on within the chemical education system that will give birth to and foster these skills. Problem-based learning is a practical strategy for this purpose. This solution increases students' interests in chemistry concepts through direct engagement in their own learning environment. Student groups collaborate to share and organize ideas. They utilize authoring technology to create an original, visual connection of concepts and ideas presented in student-captured digital images, while invoking the higher-order thinking skills of Bloom's taxonomy. The concepts covered are introduced in the context of a water studies. This type of authentic learning using authoring technology in conjunction in a collaborative learning environment will enhance and strengthen the learning experience by allowing students to construct their own artifacts that depict knowledge of learned concepts. |
