Cultivating Problem-Solving in Undergraduate Chemistry Teachers: A Review of Pedagogical Strategies and Curriculum Design
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53696/venn.v4i3.360Keywords:
Problem solving skills, Undergraduate Chemistry Teachers, Pedagogical Strategies, literature reviewAbstract
The development of problem-solving skills in prospective chemistry teachers is a fundamental aspect of education. This study aims to review pedagogical strategies and curriculum design that cultivate problem-solving in undergraduate chemistry teachers. This literature review uses three main steps: 1) Comprehensive Search Strategy to identify relevant studies related to pedagogical strategies and curriculum design; 2) Screen and Select Relevant Studies based on criteria relevant to problem-solving development; and 3) Synthesize and Analyze Findings to systematically combine and interpret selected data to produce a deeper and more comprehensive understanding. The results of the literature review indicate: 1) Effective pedagogical strategies include computer-based learning, guided inquiry, and context-based learning. 2) Curriculum designs such as innovative teaching programs, vocational learning, and laboratory curricula by integrating technology. Collaborative curriculum models and virtual learning systems based on constructivism are essential. Pedagogical strategies and holistic curriculum designs that focus on developing critical and adaptive individuals are essential to equip prospective chemistry teachers with complex problem-solving skills.
Downloads
References
Agnello, A., Vanberg, S., Tonus, C., Boigelot, B., Leduc, L., Damblon, C., & Focant, J. F. (2020). Introducing Molecular Structural Analysis Using a Guided Systematic Approach Combined with an Interactive Multiplatform Web Application. Journal of Chemical Education, 97(12), 4330-4338.
Alamina, J. I. Effect of Problem-solving Teaching Technique on Students’ Stoichiometry Academic Performance in Senior Secondary School Chemistry in Nigeria.
Asli, S., Basheer, A., & Hugerat, M. (2023). Acid-Base Chemistry and Societal,
Individual, and Vocational Aspects of Students’ Learning. Creative Education, 14(5), 943. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2023.145060.
Astuti, N. H., Rusilowati, A., & Subali, B. (2020). STEM-Based Learning Analysis
to Improve Students’ Problem-Solving Abilities in Science Subject: a Literature Review [Review of STEM-Based Learning Analysis to Improve Students’ Problem Solving Abilities in Science Subject: a Literature Review]. Journal of Innovative Science Education, 9(3), 79. State University of Semarang. https://doi.org/10.15294/jise.v9i2.38505.
Bicak, B. E., Borchert, C. E., & Höner, K. (2021). Measuring and fostering preservice chemistry teachers’ scientific reasoning competency. Education Sciences, 11(9), 496.
Boser, R. A. (1993). The Development of Problem Solving Capabilities in Pre-service Technology Teacher Education. Journal of Technology Education, 4(2), 12-29.
Deng, F., Xiao, C., Jia, F., Tian, P., & Zhu, J. (2024). Developing Chemistry Preservice Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) through the Learning by Collaborative Design (LBCD) Curriculum Model. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 23(4), 615-631.
Domenici, V. (2022). STEAM project-based learning activities at the science museum as an effective training for future chemistry teachers. Education Sciences, 12(1), 30.
Etokeren, I. S., Ibemenji, K.-A. G., & Alamina, J. I. (2019). Effect of Problem-solving Teaching Technique on Students’ Stoichiometry Academic Performance in Senior Secondary School Chemistry in Nigeria. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 1. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajarr/2019/v4i330110.
Franestian, I. D., Suyanta, S., & Wiyono, A. (2020). Analysis problem solving skills of student in Junior High School. Journal of Physics Conference Series, 1440(1), 12089. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1440/1/012089.
Genyea, J. (1983). Improving students’ problem-solving skills: a methodical approach for a preparatory chemistry course. Journal of Chemical Education, 60(6), 478. https://doi.org/10.1021/ed060p478.
Ginzburg, A. L., Check, C., Hovekamp, D. P., Sillin, A. N., Brett, J., Eshelman, H. V., & Hutchison, J. E. (2019). Experiential Learning to Promote Systems Thinking in Chemistry: Evaluating and Designing Sustainable Products in a Polymer Immersion Lab. Journal of Chemical Education, 96(12), 2863. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00336.
Gitterman, A. (1988). Teaching Students to Connect Theory and Practice. Social Work with Groups, 11, 33. https://doi.org/10.1300/j009v11n01_03
Hebebcı, M. T. (2023). A systematic review of experimental studies on STEM education. Journal of Education in Science Environment and Health, 9(1), 56-73.
Hidayatulloh, R., Suyono, S., & Azizah, U. (2020). Development of stem-based chemistry textbooks to improve students' problem solving skills. Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengkajian Ilmu Pendidikan: e-Saintika, 4(3), 308-318.
Ho, F. M. (2019). Turning Challenges into Opportunities for Promoting Systems Thinking through Chemistry Education. Journal of Chemical Education, 96(12), 2764. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00309.
Ijirana, I., Aminah, S., Supriadi, S., & Poba, D. (2021). Ability of Chemistry Problem Solving of Senior High School Students in Palu Sulawesi Tengah. Jurnal Akademika Kimia, 10(2), 64. https://doi.org/10.22487/j24775185.2021.v10.i2.pp64-71.
Indah, N. I. S., & Ahmad, F. (2025). Exploring the Wilcoxon Test in Science Education: A Literature Review of Empirical Research. Indonesian Journal of Educational Science (IJES), 7(2), 158-169.
James, N. M., & LaDue, N. D. (2021). Pedagogical reform in an introductory chemistry course and the importance of curricular alignment. Journal of chemical education, 98(11), 3421-3430.
Kala, N., & Ayas, A. (2023). Effect of instructional design based on cognitive load theory on students’ performances and the indicators of element interactivity. Journal of Turkish Science Education, 20(3), 468-489.
Khlaisang, J., & Songkram, N. (2019). Designing a virtual learning environment system for teaching twenty-first century skills to higher education students in ASEAN. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 24(1), 41-63.
Li, X. (2024). Innovative Integration of Sustainable Technologies in Educational Programs: Fostering Freshwater Production and Environmental Preservation Awareness. Heliyon, 10(19). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37978
Mahaffy, P. G., Krief, A., Hopf, H., Mehta, G., & Matlin, S. A. (2018). Reorienting chemistry education through systems thinking. Nature Reviews Chemistry, 2(4), 0126.
Mansour, M. J., Shadafan, S. F. A., Abu-Sneineh, F. T., & AlAmer, M. (2018). Integrating Patient Safety Education in the Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum: A Discussion Paper. The Open Nursing Journal, 12(1), 125. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874434601812010125
Mian, S. H., Salah, B., Ameen, W., Moiduddin, K., & Alkhalefah, H. (2020). Adapting universities for sustainability education in industry 4.0: Channel of challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, 12(15), 6100.
Mitarlis, M., Azizah, U., & Yonata, B. (2023). The integration of green chemistry principles in basic chemistry learning to support achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through education. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 13(1), 233-254. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1892
Mistry, N., & Shahid, N. (2021). Design and delivery of virtual inquiry-based organic chemistry experiments. Journal of chemical education, 98(9), 2952-2958.
O'Dea, R. E., Lagisz, M., Jennions, M. D., Koricheva, J., Noble, D. W., Parker, T. H., ... & Nakagawa, S. (2021). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses in ecology and evolutionary biology: a PRISMA extension. Biological Reviews, 96(5), 1695-1722.
Partanen, L. (2020). How student-centred teaching in quantum chemistry affects students’ experiences of learning and motivation—a self-determination theory perspective. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 21(1), 79-94.
Petersen, E. M., & Otrel-Cass, K. (2017). Strengthening problem solving skills in organic chemistry: Videos and online activities for active learning in engineering education. In THE ASSOCIATION OF VISUAL PEDAGOGY CONFERENCE (AVPC) 2017 AT AALBORG UNIVERSITY, DENMARK (pp. 138-142). Dafolo Forlag A/S.
Plieninger, T., Fagerholm, N., & Bieling, C. (2020). How to run a sustainability science research group sustainably? Sustainability Science, 16(1), 321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-020-00857-z.
Purba, S., Iskandar, A., Khalik, M. F., Syam, S., Purba, P. B., Saputro, A. N. C., ... & Chamidah, D. (2021). Landasan Pedagogik: Teori dan Kajian. Yayasan Kita Menulis.
Purwanto, A., Rahmawati, Y., Rahmayanti, N., Mardiah, A., & Amalia, R. (2022). Socio-critical and problem-oriented approach in environmental issues for students’ critical thinking skills development in Chemistry learning. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 12(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.3926/jotse.1341.
Quattrucci, J. G. (2018). Problem-based approach to teaching advanced chemistry laboratories and developing students’ critical thinking skills. Journal of Chemical Education, 95(2), 259-266.
Ralph, V. R., Scharlott, L. J., Schwarz, C. E., Becker, N. M., & Stowe, R. L. (2022). Beyond instructional practices: Characterizing learning environments that support students in explaining chemical phenomena. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 59(5), 841-875.
Redhana, I W.. Mengembangkan Keterampilan Abad Ke-21 dalam Pembelajaran Kimia. Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha.
Reith, M., & Nehring, A. (2022). Fostering scientific reasoning competencies in undergraduate laboratories using “classical” kinetics experiments. Journal of Chemical Education, 99(12), 3915-3922.
Rusmin, L., Misrahayu, Y., Pongpalilu, F., Radiansyah, R., & Dwiyanto, D. (2024). Critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the 21st century. Join J. Soc. Sci, 1(5). https://doi.org/10.59613/svhy3576.
Stehle, S. M., & Peters-Burton, E. E. (2019). Developing student 21st Century skills in selected exemplary inclusive STEM high schools. International Journal of STEM education, 6(1), 1-15.
Stroumpouli, C., & Tsaparlis, G. (2022). Chemistry students’ conceptual difficulties and problem solving behavior in chemical kinetics, as a component of an introductory physical chemistry course. Chemistry Teacher International, 4(3), 279-296.
Tóthová, M., & Rusek, M. (2021). Developing students’ problem-solving skills using learning tasks: An action research project in secondary school. Acta Chimica Slovenica, 68(4), 1016-1026.
Wahyudiati, D. (2021). Investigating Problem Solving Skills and Chemistry Learning Experiences of Higher Education Base on Gender and Grade Level Differences. Journal of Science and Science Education, 2(2), 62. https://doi.org/10.29303/jossed.v2i2.632
Weaver, M. G., Samoshin, A. V., Lewis, R. B., & Gainer, M. J. (2016). Developing Students’ Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Analysis Skills in an Inquiry-Based Synthetic Organic Laboratory Course. Journal of Chemical Education, 93(5), 847. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5b00678
Wekerle, C., & Kollar, I. (2021). Fostering pre-service teachers’ situation-specific technological pedagogical knowledge–Does learning by mapping and learning from worked examples help?. Computers in Human Behavior, 115, 106617.
Widodo, W., Mahdiannur, M. A., Suryanti, S., & Choirunnisa, N. L. (2023). Mobile Interactive Multimedia to Assist Prospective Science Teachers Holding Conceptual Understanding in Problem-Solving Electrical Circuits. TEM Journal, 12(4).
Wiyarsi, A., Damanhuri, M. I. M., & Fitriyana, N. (2020). Exploring Pre-Service Chemistry Teachers’ Problem-Solving Skills On Vocational Context-Based Learning. Jurnal Kependidikan Penelitian Inovasi Pembelajaran, 4(2), 185. https://doi.org/10.21831/jk.v4i2.35302
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Fandi Ahmad, Nur Indah Sari

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The authors certify that:
- if the manuscript is co-authored, they are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- the work described has not been formally published before in a registered ISSN or ISBN media, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, or thesis.
- it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities – tacitly or explicitly – of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- they secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere (it does not infringe on the rights of others).
- they agree to the license and copyright agreement.
All articles published are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors retain copyright and other proprietary rights related to the article.
- Authors retain the right and are permitted to use the substance of the article in their own future works, including lectures and books.
- Authors grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post or self-archive their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.













