Cohesive Chemistry

Cohesive Chemistry

By ollie.canningEducation
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Cohesive Chemistry episodes

  • Episode 4: Scott Milam on conceptual models, chemical history and giant screaming jelly babies

    In this episode, Ollie talks to Scott Milam. Scott is an award-winning chemistry teacher in the US, having experience as both an IB Examiner and IA moderator. Learn more from Scott through his YouTube (@APphyzicks), X (@IBchemmilam) or his outstanding book (Teaching Introductory Chemistry).

    We discuss:

    0:00 Intro

    1:22 Scott's book - Teaching Introductory Chemistry

    4:55 How can cognitive science help teachers?

    13:33 Integrating chemical history into lessons

    22:39 Developing students' conceptual models

    28:08 Building conceptual understanding before the IB

    31:35 Reflection and vulnerability in learning

    41:31 Johnstone's triangle

    49:32 Preparing students for exams

    57:40 Making the best of the IA

    1:05:39 Quick-fire questions

    1 hr 15 min
  • Episode 3: Richard Thornley on slow starts, building a YouTube empire, and the 'green roof' incident

    In this episode, Ollie talks to Richard Thornley. Richard has taught IB Chemistry for 25 years across 11 countries. With over 70k subscribers and 20 million views on YouTube, his name has become synonymous with IB Chemistry.

    Richard talks us through:

    0:00 Intro and the importance of learning from others

    7:28 Failures in the classroom

    12:03 Building a YouTube empire

    26:10 Tips for the Internal Assessment and Extended Essay

    35:34 Preparing students for exams

    42:24 Giving back

    44:42 Tips for new teachers

    50:34 Quick-fire questions

    58 min
  • Episode 2: Elisa Jimenez Grant on exam pitfalls, changes to the IA and the 'burning bin' incident

    In this episode, Ollie talks to Elisa Jimenez Grant. Elisa has worked in all aspects of the IB Chemistry ecosystem including roles as a Senior Examiner, IA Moderation Team leader and Co-Author of the most recent edition of the Oxford University Press textbook. In the episode, Elisa talks us through:

    0:00 Her journey to becoming a teacher
    4:19 Learning in the early years of teaching
    12:53 Experience as a Senior Examiner
    27:02 Experience as an IA Moderator
    51:00 Approaches to structuring the IA
    56:24 IA Programme Communities and Exchange
    59:59 Final tips for new teachers
    1:03:42 Quick-fire question

    1 hr 13 min
  • Episode 1: James Midgley on the IA, responding to COVID, and the 'bird in the flue' incident

    This week, Ollie talks to James Midgley aka Mr M 4 Chem. James is currently the Head of Student Well-being at the Australian International School in Singapore and has taught IB Chemistry for 15 years. He has become an internal assessment guru through his YouTube videos breaking down all aspects of the IA process. In the episode, James talks us through:

    • His journey from pharmaceutical lab manager to chemistry teacher.
    • Becoming an IA moderator.
    • Why the IA is important.
    • How his teaching has changed.
    • Breaking copyright.
    • Creating opportunities during COVID.
    • Easy wins in the IA.
    • The dangers of Vitamin C.
    • How to think like a moderator.
    • Encouraging data-based and simulations IA.
    • Why organic chemistry is like Lord of the Rings.
    • Runaway thermite.
    • The 'bird in the flue' incident.
    • MVPs in the IB Chemistry community.
      • 56 min

    About Cohesive Chemistry

    From the publisher's feed

    IB Chemistry and Theory of Knowledge teacher Ollie Canning talks to some of the big names in the IB Chemistry world to gain insight into their expertise and experience in and around the classroom.