The document discusses online learning modules created for a General Chemistry I course to address issues with student preparation, study habits, and comprehension. It describes how students helped create over 50 video and 10 text modules covering 61 topics. Preliminary analysis of assessment data from using the modules was very positive. The modules are expected to improve student achievement and may replace some large class presentations.
1. Chemistry : David Hanson, Troy Wolfskill, & Carlos Simmerling
Online Learning Modules
for General Chemistry I
Issues and Objectives
• Students come to class unprepared. Implemented McGraw-Hill
LearnSmart/Connect online software.
• Students concentrate study time in widely spaced intervals.
Implemented McGraw-Hill ALEKS online software.
• Students miss important points covered in class or reading. Preparing
focused video and written learning objects for online viewing.
Status
• Engaged 10 students to prepare the learning objects in Spring, 2015.
• Produced 55 video and 10 text-based modules covering 61 topics.
• Collected assessment data. Preliminary analysis very positive.
Impact
• Expect improved achievement.
• Possibly replace large-class presentations in Javits 100.
2. Online Learning Modules
for General Chemistry I
Abe Castillo, Dana Castro, Daniel Acampa, Dominique Spiegowski, Felicia Khan,
Joe Masselli, Manjot Singh, Munifa Wheeler, Nicole Sukkarieh, Verdah Ahmad
3. Verdah Explains -
Stigma about chemistry learning: It’s all memorization!
Chemistry learning is really about understanding and practice.
S-BOLD Chemistry Videos
• Present theory in a concise manner.
• Encourage students to try exam-level practice problems on their own.
• Provide a detailed walk-through for each type of practice problem.
For example: Atomic and Ionic Sizes
6. Main points that I have learned
Don’t go crazy over scripting
- Don’t worry about perfection: ad libs and correcting
errors help students remember!
- Lame jokes, small mistakes, and off topic asides
highlight points in a presentation
- Such marker points are helpful for remembering the
material covered before and after
8. Online courses often are frowned upon. Why?:
- A free or close to free course (Kahn Academy or
Moocs) offers no incentive to complete it
- A course offered by an accredited university that
somebody pays hundreds or thousands of dollars
to take online due to a time constraint should count
the same as a standard course!
- Why would a university not take its own classes
seriously and assure that online offerings match or
exceed the standard.?
