Mary B. Nakhleh

Associate Professor of Chemistry
and Curriculum & Instruction
Department of Chemistry
560 Oval Drive
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2084
(765) 494-5314

e-mail: mnakhleh@purdue.edu

Education and Positions Held

bullet   B.S., University of Georgia, 1961 
bullet   M. A., University of Maryland, 1985 
bullet   Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1990 
bullet   Assistant Professor, Purdue University, 1990-1996 
bullet   Associate Professor, Purdue University, 1996-present 

 

Current Research Interests

bullet   Research on how students learn in a laboratory environment. 
bullet   Research on learning with technology. 
bullet   Research on how students develop their algorithmic and conceptual understanding in chemistry.

Publications  

  1. An Overview of Microcomputers in the Secondary School Curriculum, Nakhleh, M. B., J.Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 3 (1) 1983, 13-21.
  2. Why Some Students Don’t Learn Chemistry: Chemical Misconceptions, Nakhleh, M. B. J. Chemical Education, 69 (3), 1992, 191-196.
  3. A Protocol Analysis of the Influence of Technology on Students’ Actions, Verbal Commentary, and Thought Processes During the Performance of Acid-Base Titrations.  Nakhleh, M. B. & Krajcik, J. S. J. Research in Science Teaching, 30 (9), 1993, 1149-1168.
  4. Concept Learning versus Problem Solving: There is a Difference.  Nakhleh, M. B. & Mitchell, R. C. J. Chemical Education, 70 (3), 1993, 190-192.
  5. Are Our Students Conceptual Thinkers or Algorithmic Problem Solvers?  Identifying Conceptual Students in General Chemistry.  Nakhleh, M. B. . Chemical Education 70 (1), 1993, 52-55.
  6. A Review of Microcomputer-Based Labs: How Have They Affected Science Learning?  Nakhleh, M. B. J. Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 13 (4), 1994, 367-381.
  7. Influence of Levels of Information as Presented by Different Technologies on Students’ Understanding of Acid, Base, and pH concepts, Nakhleh, M. B. & Krajcik, J. S. J. Research in Science Teaching, 31 (10), 1994, 1077-1096.
  8. Students’ Models of Matter in the Context of Acid-Base Chemistry.  Nakhleh, M. B. J. Chemical Education, 71 (6), 1994, 495-499.
  9. Chemical Education Research in the Laboratory Environment: How Can Research Uncover What Students Are Learning?  Nakhleh, M. B. J. Chemical Education, 71 (3), 1994, 201-205.
  10. Success on Algorithmic and LOCS vs. Conceptual Chemistry Exam Questions.  Zoller, U., Nakhleh, M. B., Dori, Y. J., Lubezky, A., & Tessier, B. J. Chemical Education72 (11), 1995, 987-989.
  11. Chemistry in Context: Student Opinions of a New Curriculum, Nakhleh, M. B., Bunce, D. M. & Schwartz, A. T. J. College Science Teaching, 25 (3), 1995, 174-180.
  12. Narrowing the Gap Between Concepts and Algorithms in Freshman Chemistry.  Nakhleh, M. B., Lowrey, K. A., & Mitchell, R. C. J. Chemical Education, 73 (8), 1996, 758-762.
  13. Development of a Four-Color LED Photometer.  Hamilton, J., Nakhleh, M. B. & White, J. S. J. Chemical Education, 73 (11), 1996, 1052-1054.
  14. A Computer-Interfaced O2 Probe: Instrumentation for Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories.  Adamson, G., Nakhleh, M. B. & Zimmerman, J. J. Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 16 (4), 1997, 513-525.
  15. Elementary School Children’s Theories of Matter.  Nakhleh, M. B. & Samarapungavan, A.  J. Research in Science Teaching, 36 (7), 1999, 777-805.
  16. Students’ Microscopic, Macroscopic, and Symbolic Representations of Chemical Reactions.  M. E. Hinton & M. B. Nakhleh.  The Chemical Educator, 4 (5), 1999.  Web address is http://journals.springer-ny.com/chedr; email address is chedr@chem.idbsu.edu.
  17. Evaluating Computer Lab Modules for Large Biology Courses.  Eichinger, D. C., Nakhleh, M. B.*, Auberry, D. L.  J. Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 19(3), 2000, 253-275.
  18. Evaluation of Interactive Technologies for Chemistry Websites: Educational Materials for Organic Chemistry Website (EMOC).  Nakhleh, M. B.*, Donovan, W. J., Parrill, A. L.  J. Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 19(12), 2000, 355-378.
  19. Action Based Research Teams:  Collaborating to Improve Science Instruction.  Krockover, G. H.*, Adams, P. E., Eichinger, D., Nakhleh, M., Shepardson, D. P.  J. College Science Teaching, 30(5), 2001, 313-317.
  20. Students’ Use of Web-Based Tutorial Materials and Their Understanding of Chemistry Concepts.  Donovan, W. J.* & Nakhleh, M. B. J. Chemical Education, 78(7), 2001, 975-980.
  21. An Investigation of the Value of Using Concept Maps in General Chemistry.  Nicoll, G.*, Francisco, J. S., Nakhleh, M. B.  J. Chemical Education, 78(8), 2001, 1111-1117.
  22. Theories or Fragments?  The Debate Over Learners’ Naive Ideas About Science.  Nakhleh, M. B.   J. Chemical Education, Online Symposium:  Piaget, Constructivism, and Beyond.  J. Chemical Education, 78(8), 2001, 1107.  Full text is online at Web address http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Issues/Current/PlusSub/V78N08/p1107_5.pdf; email address is jchemed@aol.com.
  23. G. Nicoll *, J. S. Francisco, M. B. Nakhleh. (2001). A Three-Tier System for Assessing Concept Map Links. International Journal of Science Education, 23, 863-875.
  24. Francisco, J. S., Nakhleh, M. B. *, Nurrenbern, S. C., Miller, M. L. * (2002). Assessing student understanding of general chemistry with concept mapping. Journal of Chemical Education, 79(2), 248-257.
  25. Krockover, G. H.*, Shepardson, D. P., Adams, P. E., Eichinger, D. E. & Nakhleh, M. B. (2002). Reforming and assessing science instruction using collaborative action-based research teams. School Science and Mathematics, 102 (6), 266-284.
  26. Malina, E. G. and Nakhleh, M. B. (2003). How students use scientific instruments to create understanding: CCD spectrophotometers. Journal of Chemical Education, 80(6), 691-698.
  27. Herrington, D. G. * and Nakhleh, M. B. (2003). What defines effective chemistry laboratory instruction? A teaching assistant and student perspective. Journal of Chemical Education, 80(10), 1197-1205 .

TECHNICAL REPORTS AND BOOK CHAPTERS

1. Electrodeposition of Manganese on a Aluminum Cathode, Bird, M. E. (Maiden name),  New Technology Report, 1966.  21, Melpar, Inc., in-house publication.

2. Technical Report: Chemistry in Context Evaluation Study, Nakhleh, M. B. Submitted to the American Chemical Society, 1991.

3. Conceptualization and Assessment of Laboratory Experiences: The Use of Vee diagrams and Concept Maps.  Nakhleh, M. B. The Hoosier Science Teacher, 8 (1), 1992, 5-12.

4. Tech Prep, Chemistry, and the Need for Conceptual Change.  Mitchell, R. C. & Nakhleh, M. B.  The Hoosier Science Teacher, 8(4), 1993, 103-108.

5. How Do Students Make Sense of Chemistry While You Lecture?  In Beasley, W. Ed., Chemistry: Expanding the Boundaries, the proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Chemical Education, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 1996.  Brisbane, Australia: Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Chemical Education Division.

6. Gearing up for Change.  In Tobias, S. and Raphael, J., Ed, The Hidden Curriculum: Faculty-Made Tests in Science, Part 2: Upper- Division Courses.  1997.  New York: Plenum Press.

7. Conceptual Questions.  In Tobias, S. and Raphael, J., Ed, The Hidden Curriculum: Faculty-Made Tests in Science, Part 1: Lower Division Courses.  1997.  New York: Plenum Press.

8. Technical Report: Evaluation of Interactive Technologies For Chemistry Websites: Educational Materials for Organic Chemistry (EMOC).  Nakhleh, M. B.  Submitted to the National Science Foundation, 1998.

9.  Technical Report: Evaluation of NSF/CHEM (NSF Grant TPE-9155166): Certification and Qualification Program For Underprepared Secondary Chemistry Teachers, Nakhleh, M. B.  Submitted to the National Science Foundation, 1998.

10. Nakhleh, M. B., Polles, J. & Malina, E. (2002). Learning chemistry in a laboratory environment. In J. Gilbert, O. De Jong, R. Justi, D. Treagust, J. H. van Driel (Eds.), Chemical education: Towards research-based practice (pp. 69-94). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.