Teaching Students Teaching Students Organic Chemistry: Organic Chemistry:

QEP III Next Generation QEP III Next Generation Course RedesignCourse RedesignTMTM

Jonathan L. LavezoDr. Sushama Dandekar

College of Arts and SciencesDepartment of Chemistry

Why redesign the original course?Why redesign the original course?

Complex material

Instructional approach inhibits learning

Unguided learning

Redesign GoalsRedesign Goals

Improve students’ capacity to learn

Provide better delivery

Develop Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)

N-Gen Course RedesignsN-Gen Course Redesigns

Brain-based learning theory

Outcome-based assessment

Student collaboration

Develop innovative instructional techniques

Brain-Based Learning TheoryBrain-Based Learning Theory Adopted from Laura Erlauer’s The Brain-

Compatible Classroom: Using what we know about learning to improve teaching

Building of neurological connections

Seven fundamentals are the foundation for “brain-based” learning

Seven FundamentalsSeven Fundamentals Emotional Wellness of Students Body, Movement, and the Brain Relevant Content and Student Choices Time, Time, and More Time Enrichment for the Brain Collaboration Assessment and Feedback

Real World Collaborative Project: Real World Collaborative Project: Adopt-A-MoleculeAdopt-A-Molecule

Assigned molecule

Create data profile

Relates to concepts in lecture

Peer reviews

Real World Collaborative Project: Real World Collaborative Project: Sample Molecular ProfileSample Molecular Profile

Developed Course MaterialDeveloped Course Material

Class hand-outs, guided problems, and tutorial videos

Provides a variety of learning tools

Students not limited to one learning style

Designed to improve comprehension

Example Hand-OutsExample Hand-Outs

S

S

S

S

S

CH2CH3

Br

H3C H

Cl

CH3

S

S

S

H3CH2CBr

H3C

H

Cl

CH3

H3CH2C

Br

H

H3C

Cl

CH3

CH3

Cl Br

CH2CH3

H3C H

Br

CH2CH3

CH3

H

Cl

H3C

staggered

rotated to show eclipsed conformation

staggered

eclipsed

viewed sideways

rotated 90o.

counterclockwise

Correct view for drawing Fischer projection formula

Fischer projection formula

redrawn as Fischer projection formulas

F

1-Methylbicyclo[4.2.0]octane bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane

6-f luorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane bicyclo[4.3.1]decane

7-methylbicyclo[4.2.2]decane 7,7-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane

staggered

eclipsed

Ene

rgy

60o 60o 60o 60o 60o

0 60 120 180 240 300

Handout 1Handout 2

Handout 3

Guided Problems and VideosGuided Problems and Videos

Guided problems connect multiple concepts

Videos span a variety of topics

Materials available on-line

Analysis and ResultsAnalysis and Results Alignment analysis between test materials

and SLOs

All materials align to SLOs

Corresponds to assessment and feedback fundamental

ConclusionConclusion

Changed the delivery of organic chemistry

– Implemented brain based learning

– Aligned SLOs to test material

– Heightened student engagement

Course needs to be studied