ERIC Number: EJ1145976
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jun
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
Using Undergraduate Facilitators for Active Learning in Organic Chemistry: A Preparation Course and Outcomes of the Experience
Jardine, Hannah E.; Friedman, Lee A.
Journal of Chemical Education, v94 n6 p703-709 Jun 2017
In this study, we describe a course to educate and prepare undergraduate "facilitators" for small group problem solving sessions in a large, first semester, introductory undergraduate organic chemistry course. We then explore the outcomes of the facilitator experience for one cohort of facilitators through qualitative analysis of written reflections, surveys, and field notes. Our findings suggest that the course achieved its goals of providing facilitators with effective teaching techniques and reinforcing content knowledge, and it created a forum for the facilitators to provide feedback to each other and to the course instructor. Furthermore, the course catalyzed the development of professional skills, enhanced metacognitive abilities, reinforced the benefits of active learning, and exposed facilitators to educational literature. These findings are noteworthy because they demonstrate the various potential benefits for undergraduates that facilitate active learning in large chemistry courses.
Descriptors: Organic Chemistry, Undergraduate Students, Facilitators (Individuals), Science Instruction, Active Learning, Qualitative Research, Reflection, Field Studies, Notetaking, Surveys, Cooperative Learning, Feedback (Response), Teaching Methods, Introductory Courses, Large Group Instruction, Small Group Instruction, Problem Solving, Teaching Assistants
Division of Chemical Education, Inc and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Maryland (College Park)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A