Introducing Cooperative Learning Activities into a large section of General Chemistry
In the Fall of 1997, Prof. Jacobs developed a new General Chemistry sequence for students identified as being ‘at-risk’ for performing poorly in General Chemistry. In the alternative course, students are taught the same material as those enrolled in the traditional General Chemistry course; however, at-risk students now engage in cooperative learning activities within the formal course structure. Specifically, students pair-off to answer concept questions in lecture, and they attend mandatory recitation sections in which they cooperatively solve problems in small groups. Active learning, concept integration, creative problem solving, individual accountability, and frequent feedback are central goals in the new course design. A detailed comparison of the two course structures is outlined below:
|
Characteristic |
Traditional Section |
Alternative Section |
|
Population |
250 students per section Target Math SAT > 630 |
250 students per section Target Math SAT < 630 |
|
Textbook |
"Chemistry: The Central Science" by Brown, LeMay, and Bursten (7th Edition, Prentice Hall) |
SAME |
|
Chapters Covered |
1-11,13-17, 19-20 |
SAME |
|
Lecture |
3 hours per week. Mostly Powerpoint Presentation w/ demonstrations |
3 hours per week. Mix of Powerpoint Presentation, Demonstrations, Concept questions for pairs of students to discuss, and interactive problem solving on overhead projector |
|
Labs |
2 1/2 hours per week |
SAME (intermixed labs) |
|
Recitation Sections |
NONE required. Instructor offers weekly session to answers students’ questions and work through sample problems. < 10% attendance. |
Mandatory. 1 hour per week. 20 students/section. Small groups (4 students/group) solve challenging problems cooperatively. > 95% attendance |
|
Homework |
30 problems are assigned per week. Homework is NOT collected. |
10 problems are assigned per week. Homework is collected and graded. |
|
On-Line Quizzes |
NONE |
Students answer a series of WWW-delivered questions after each chapter. |
|
Exams |
(4) 1-hour Midterms (1) 2-hour Final Test Format 50% Multiple Choice 50% Free Response |
Exams are taken simultaneously with Traditional Section. SAME Format. Most Multiple Choice questions are COMMON to both sections. |
|
Student Accountability / Feedback |
Tests occur once every 3-4 weeks. |
Each week student receives graded homework, graded group problem set, graded on-line quiz, and multiple in-class concept questions. Tests occur once every 3-4 weeks. |
|
Personal Contact |
Optional visits to faculty office hours |
Instructor or teaching assistant knows each student by name. Student receives a phone call when their performance drops. |