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Online periodic table of elements to support students’ learning of trends in properties of chemical elements

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Abstract

The Online Periodic Table of Elements (Ptable) is a Wikipedia-linked periodic table that displays a list of chemical elements organized by atomic number, electronic configuration, and recurring chemical properties. Elements are listed in reading order, increasing in atomic number, in their most basic form. The current study seeks to assess the impact of Ptable on students' understanding of trends in the properties of chemical elements. A mixed research strategy was used in this study. Chemistry students in grade eight (senior two) were selected to participate in this study. The sample size was 46 participants, with 38 students and 8 chemistry teachers chosen at random from two secondary schools in Bugesera District, in Rwanda. Interviews were used to collect qualitative data, which was then analyzed using discourse and interpretive analysis approaches. While quantitative data were collected by giving students achievement tests (pre- and post-test) and questionnaires, descriptive statistics were used to analyze them using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). According to the findings of this study, there was a statistical difference in student performance between the pre-and post-test, but no statistical difference between male and female students' academic performance. It was also discovered that students were pleased with the use of Ptable, which improved their learning and knowledge retention about trends in the properties of chemical elements. Teachers mentioned that Ptable is effective to teach trends in the properties of chemical elements. Among the difficulties noted were a slow internet connection and a limited number of computers.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the African Centre of Excellence for Innovative in Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Sciences (ACEITLMS), University of Rwanda-College of Education (UR-CE), Rukara Campus, Kayonza, Rwanda, for its encouragement to conduct this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. African Centre of Excellence for Innovative in Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Sciences (ACEITLMS), University of Rwanda-College of Education (UR-CE), Rukara Campus, Kayonza, Rwanda

    Ezechiel Nsabayezu, Aloys Iyamuremye, Leonard Nungu, Janvier Mukiza, Evode Mukama & Francois Niyongabo Niyonzima

  2. School of Education, Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Physical Education, University of Rwanda-College of Education (UR-CE), Rukara Campus, Kayonza, Rwanda

    Janvier Mukiza, Evode Mukama & Francois Niyongabo Niyonzima

  3. Commonwealth of Learning, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Evode Mukama

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  1. Ezechiel Nsabayezu
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Correspondence to Ezechiel Nsabayezu.

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Appendix

Appendix

1.1 Achievement test

  1. 1.

    Name the only non-metal which is liquid.

  2. 2.

    How many non-metals are found in the gaseous state?

  3. 3.

    The only non-metal which conducts electricity is graphite. (True or False).

  4. 4.

    Which is the most abundant non-metal in the earth’s crust?

  5. 5.

    What is meant by saying that metals are malleable and ductile? Explain with examples.

  6. 6.

    With the help of an example, describe how metals differ from non-metals.

  7. 7.

    Name one metal and one non-metal which exist in the liquid state at room temperature.

  8. 8.

    Name the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust.

  9. 9.

    Describe the trends and patterns in the properties of elements in groups and periods.

  10. 10.

    Illustrate the electrical conductivity of metals and non-metals.

  11. 11.

    Distinguish between the chemical properties of metals and non-metals.

  12. 12.

    Give three uses of non-metals in daily life.

  13. 13.

    Name two metalloids.

  14. 14.

    Why do non-metals not conduct heat and electricity?

  15. 15.

    Non-metals have low (a) densities (b) melting points (c) boiling points (d) All of these.

  16. 16.

    Explain, why the chemical reactivity of metals increases on going down in a group of the periodic table?

  17. 17.

    Which of the following element is least reactive? Explain.

    (a) Sodium (b) Silicon (c) Sulphur (d) Chlorine.

  18. 18.

    Which of the following metal exists in the liquid state?

    (a) Sodium (b) Silver (c) Mercury (d) Neon.

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Nsabayezu, E., Iyamuremye, A., Nungu, L. et al. Online periodic table of elements to support students’ learning of trends in properties of chemical elements. Educ Inf Technol 28, 11793–11817 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11650-7

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