Developing students’ 4C competencies in teaching the topic ‘Basic chemical concepts and laws’ in chemistry education

Abstract

The modernization of chemistry education requires the development of students’ key twenty-first century competencies alongside subject knowledge acquisition. This study focuses on developing students’ 4C competencies - critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication - through teaching the topic “Basic Chemical Concepts and Laws” in secondary school chemistry education. The research examines pedagogical approaches that integrate competency-based learning, problem-oriented tasks, experimental activities, and interactive teaching strategies into the instructional process. Special attention is given to the role of fundamental chemical concepts, including atomic-molecular theory and basic chemical laws, as a foundation for fostering analytical reasoning and scientific understanding. The study employs modern educational methods aimed at increasing students’ cognitive engagement, independent learning skills, and cooperative problem-solving abilities. The findings demonstrate that the systematic integration of 4C-oriented instructional strategies enhances students’ conceptual comprehension, learning motivation, and functional scientific literacy. The proposed methodological approach contributes to improving the effectiveness of chemistry teaching and supports the formation of competencies necessary for successful learning and real-life application of chemical knowledge.