Volume 21, Issue 2 (2012)

Volume 21, Issue 2 (2012)

Letters to the Editor:
S. Mihailova
"The Magic of Chemistry" - A Day of Chemistry at the Language Secondary School "Academician Lyudmil Stoyanov", Blagoevgrad [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (682 K)
167
M. Nikolova
Enhancement of Interest of Students to Science Through Drama Activities [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (799 K)
172
2011 - International Year of Chemistry:
B.V. Toshev
The International Year of Chemistry 2011 in Postage Stamps [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (6337 K)
177
Education: Theory & Practice:
A. Gendjova, A. Kamusheva
General Skills and Competences for Professional Development of the Chemistry Graduates of Sofia University [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (742 K)
202
Teaching Efficiency:
P.R. Galcheva, A.I. Hineva
The Portfolio as a Tool for Monitoring of Professional Competences of Science Teachers [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (726 K)
215
Problems:
I. B. Risteski
A New Algebra for Balancing Special Chemical Reactions
Full text: PDF (724 K)
223
Advanced Science:
M. Toutounji
Re-Examining Traditional and Rotational Canonic Partition Functions for Undergraduate Physical Chemistry: Exact and Insightful Views
Full text: PDF (727 K)
235
History and Philosophy of Science:
C. Ivanov
Professor Dimiter Ivanov - Live and Scientific Work [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (2110 K)
242
New Information Media:
M. Kirova, E. Boiadjieva, R. Peitcheva-Forsyth
Information and Communication Technologies in Science Education: Competences and Beliefs of Bulgarian Teachers [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (980 K)
282
Reviews:
B.V. Toshev
A Guide for Doctoral Students in the Science of Education [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (837 K)
296
T.G. Nikolov
Algology [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (1107 K)
302
Archives:

Reflections on Natural Sciences and Training Physics Teachers (Ivanov, 1926) [In Bulgarian]
Full text: PDF (979 K)
309

Khimiya, Volume 21, Issue 2(2012)
Khimiya. 21, 177- (2012) Author(s): B.V. Toshev:
Abstract.The world initiative ???International Year of Chemistry 2011??? has been closed. The main goal of the initiative was to improve the image of chemistry in the public emphasizing on the chemistry achievements which changed the life of people in the contemporary world. Undoubtedly this aim was realized. The present essay presents a collection of selected stamps issued by governments??� postage administrations everywhere in the world. The role of philately in teaching/learning practice is also outlined.

Keywords: international year of chemistry, stamps, philately in education
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Khimiya. 21, 202- (2012) Author(s): A. Gendjova, A. Kamusheva:
Abstract.The present study seeks a relationship between learning in the Faculty of Chemistry at Sofia University and the career development of the graduates. For this purpose an online-based survey of 100 students was conducted. The students graduated with Bachelor or Master Degrees over the past five years (2006 - 2010). The inquiry was concerned with the following topics - the actual employment status of alumni and their own assessment of the adequacy of the education and the professional opportunities available within their specialization. Based on their experience the graduates determined the generic skills and competences, which they believed to be the most important for their career and the extent to which these competences are developed in the university. An attempt was made to compare the data about the importance of skills from this study and the data of the European ???tuning??? project as a basis for reflection on possible trends and the extent of diversity across Europe. The survey results raise questions about the development of priority skills and competences that will lead to greater competitiveness of Sofia University graduates and their future successful professional realization.

Keywords: higher education, graduates, generic skills and competences, professional development
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Khimiya. 21, 215- (2012) Author(s): P.R. Galcheva, A.I. Hineva:
Abstract.This paper argues that the schoolteacher??�s portfolio could be used for monitoring of the teachers??� professional interests and competences. For this aim a system of criteria for quantitative assessment of portfolios is suggested. The results when applying this approach in practice could be used from school administrators in respect to future career development of teachers with their involving in appropriate qualification programs.

Keywords: teacher??�s portfolio, teacher activity, assessment criteria
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Khimiya. 21, 223- (2012) Author(s): I. B. Risteski:
Abstract.In this article are balanced only special chemical reactions which have non-unique coefficients, or so-called continuum reactions. For that kind of chemical reactions is made a completely new algebraic analysis by virtue of determined generators. Here treated chemical reactions possess atoms with fractional and integer oxidation numbers. Also, in this article are determined the necessary and sufficient conditions for solution of two old problems.

Keywords: algebra, chemical reactions, balancing, generators

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Khimiya. 21, 235- (2012) Author(s): M. Toutounji:
Abstract.This study explores the canonical partition function of both translational and rotational motion quantum mechanically and in the semi-classical limit (high temperature limit) at all conditions, including all temperatures. The treatment of physical chemistry textbooks of the translational and rotational partition functions is commented on. Exact quantum mechanical closed-form expressions, which are not available in any physical chemistry textbook, or the in literature for that matter, are reported for both types of partition functions at a wide range of temperatures and conditions are derived.

Keywords: particle-in-a-box, quantum translational partition function, undergraduate physical chemistry, de Broglie wavelength, theta function, rotational partition function
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Khimiya. 21, 242- (2012) Author(s): C. Ivanov:
Abstract.The article presents a comprehensive biography of the famous Bulgarian organic chemist Academician Dimiter Ivanov by one of his closest associates, disciple and follower ??� Professor Christo Ivanov, who succeeded him as Head of the Department of Oganic Chemistry at the University of Sofia. The study contains a chronological review of all achievements in the Acad. D. Ivanov's scientific work, which are illustrated with the respective chemical formulae and equations and are accompanied by detailed analysis. Finally, some of D. Ivanov??�s principal publications are listed.

Keywords: Prof. D. Ivanov, organic chemistry, reaction of Ivanov, reagents of Ivano
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Khimiya. 21, 282- (2012) Author(s): M. Kirova, E. Boiadjieva, R. Peitcheva-Forsyth:
Abstract.The meaningful integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the learning process is viewed as one of the key instruments for improving the quality of pupils??� learning experiences; it is also among the priorities of the school reform in Bulgaria. Pupils??� and teachers??� access to ICT in the classroom is of course a necessary condition for successful teaching and learning with new technologies but it is not the most significant factor that predetermines the success of computer-enhanced education. Research on the integration of new technologies in education reveals that the key factor for success is the degree to which teachers have developed the necessary skills, competencies, and motivation for meaningful integration of technologies. This article presents the results of a national representative study of teachers??� competencies and beliefs related to the incorporation of ICT into their teaching. The participants in the study were natural science teachers from different types of schools and different country regions. The results of the study suggest that in their teaching practice, the participants are not confident in their technical skills and are hesitant about using ICT in their teaching. However, when asked to discuss the issue on a theoretical level, they show awareness of the role and potentials of ICT for teaching science. The outcomes of this study show strong evidence that teachers need further training in order to support the development of their skills and competencies related to ICT enhanced teaching and learning; they show readiness to participate in such training and recognize that this would allow them to improve their teaching practices as well as the learning environment.

Keywords: science education, teaching and learning, e-learning, ICT in education, teachers??� ICT competency, teachers??� attitudes to ICT
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Khimiya. 21, 296- (2012) Author(s): B.V. Toshev:
Abstract.In 13 book chapters Willis, Inman and Valenti (2010) give comprehensive information how to write a dissertation in science of education. All the stages of the research process in that field are described in details: selecting the topic and purpose of the dissertation, constructing the research team, selecting the methods of investigation, data collecting and analyzing the results obtained, writing process.

Keywords: science of education, doctoral students, dissertation, written scientific communication
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Khimiya. 21, 302- (2012) Author(s): T.G. Nikolov:
Abstract.Abstract in Bulgarian

Keywords: ?�lgology, Algae, phycology
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