ERIC Number: EJ1142972
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-May
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-231X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Adapting a Student-Centered Chemistry Curriculum to a Large-Enrollment Context: Successes and Challenges
Borda, Emily J.; Boudreaux, Andrew; Fackler-Adams, Ben; Frazey, Paul; Julin, Sara; Pennington, Gregory; Ogle, Jared
Journal of College Science Teaching, v46 n5 p8-13 May 2017
Passive, lecture-based forms of instruction are often ineffective in helping students develop deep conceptual understanding of scientific concepts. Student-centered forms of instruction based in a constructivist framework, where students are guided toward actively constructing their understanding, have been met with greater success. However, implementation of constructivist-based curricula and complementary teaching practices in large introductory college courses is often met with unique challenges. Here we describe and evaluate the scaling of a constructivist-based, student-centered chemistry curriculum from its original implementation in a 24-seat small-enrollment course to a 96-seat large-enrollment course. Postinstruction test scores for the scaled up, student-centered course were intermediate between the large-enrollment traditional course and the small-enrollment student-centered course, suggesting limited success of the scaling. We discuss barriers to scaling and future steps to improve the large-enrollment course. Our goal is to inform similar transformations to student-centered curricula and practices in other large-enrollment courses.
Descriptors: Student Centered Curriculum, Chemistry, Science Instruction, Scores, Science Tests, Teaching Methods, Comparative Analysis, Large Group Instruction, Lecture Method, Constructivism (Learning), Introductory Courses, Scientific Concepts, Scaling, Instructional Effectiveness, Multiple Choice Tests, Audience Response Systems, Questionnaires, Higher Education, College Students
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: DUE0737551
Author Affiliations: N/A