Many of the experiments available for working with probeware are aimed at the grammar school level. However, with the proliferation of more sophisticated sensors, there is an opportunity to develop experiments for chemistry-oriented vocational schools (specialization Applied Chemistry). These experiments would benefit from the advantages of the vocational school - more time available in the laboratory, better instrumentation, and a wider range of learning topics allowing for more challenging experiments. However, these would also work as advanced experiments for grammar school level chemistry education. The theoretical part discusses probeware, its use for teaching chemistry, the range of different available sensors and their advantages and disadvantages, as well as sources of available experiments, their categorization and comparison with the Framework Education Programme education topics. This thesis introduces a set of 5 different, fully developed and laboratory-validated experiments selected in accordance with the requirements of the Framework Education Programme and School Education Programme for chemistry-oriented vocational schools. In addition to the write-up of the process of their design and validation in this thesis, the annex provides developed materials for direct use in school labs,...

The purpose of this study is to find out what students in the first chemistry course at the undergraduate level (general chemistry for science majors) know about the affordances of instrumentation used in the general chemistry laboratory and how their knowledge develops over time. Overall, students see the PASCO™ system as a useful and accurate measuring tool for general chemistry labs. They see the probeware as easy to use, portable, and able to interact with computers. Students find that the PASCO™ probeware system is useful in their general chemistry labs, more advanced chemistry labs, and in other science classes, and can be used in a variety of labs done in general chemistry. Students learn the affordances of the probeware through the lab manual, the laboratory teaching assistant, by trial and error, and from each other. The use of probeware systems provides lab instructors the opportunity to focus on the concepts illustrated by experiments and the opportunity to spend time discussing the results. In order to teach effectively, the instructor must know the correct name of the components involved, how to assemble and disassemble it correctly, how to troubleshoot the software, and must be able to replace broken or missing components quickly. The use of podcasts or Web-based videos should increase student understanding of affordances of the probeware.

Eva Stratilová Urválková; Dissertation Thesis Title: Microcomputer-Based Laboratory in Secondary School Chemistry Education Abstract School experimental practice should reflect the real laboratory practice so that school science keeps in touch with reality. Todays laboratories are fully equipped with instrumental devices that are often presented in media, so it is necessary that students have experience also with this way of experiments. For school purposes seem suitable probeware (school experimental systems), that combine modern technology with concept of student-centered learning (eg inquiry based science education) that should successfully prepare students for lifelong learning. During recent years probeware has become one of discussed topics in Czech science education, but there has been a lack of research examining whether both teachers and pupils are prepared to accept and implement probeware into school chemistry curriculum. Almost none research has been done in field search describing the way of using the probeware and microcomputer-based laboratory in Czech school curriculum. Presented mixed method research focuses on attitudes of chemistry teachers (N = 65), pre-service chemistry teachers (N = 38) and students (N = 50) regarding attitudes to general devices and measuring devices (or probeware) to...