Chem 1B: General Chemistry II Section 08

Reflection on Instructional Change:

The practice that was implemented is to build student knowledge and skills through concept introduction in the module titled “Using the Active Learning Cycle in Online Course”.

It is important to introduce concepts clearly because only when student understand the concepts they can apply the concept/skills for different questions. In order to do this, I have tried to organize the lecture by learning objectives and explain concepts clearly and answer student questions to clarify any confusions. I also tried to engage students by writing on slides and demonstrate problem solving using document camera to engage students more.

Student feedback showed that the explanation of concepts was clear and wring on slides and using document camera motivated and engaged students. Some sample comments are shown in the following:

“My professor has done a very good job of teaching concepts in small chunks. This has been helped me not become overwhelmed in complex course material.”

“Yes. She answers all questions during lecture and even writes some notes by hand rather than just talk along with powerpoints.”

“She is always explaining the concepts that we go over well.”

“Our instructor does well at explaining concepts that is easy to digest.”

“She goes through the problems and solves it from the beginning to end.”

This picture of the outline of my Canvas site of Chem 1B section 08 suggests that the modules have consistent structure for the modules of chapter 16 to chapter 21.

Canvas Outline

Screen shot of homework responses showing good concept understanding

Student Work Showing Good Concept Understanding

Picture showing six badges and micro credentials in Promoting Active Learning Online

Badges and Microcredentials

Practice and Reflect on: Using the Active Learning Cycle in Online Course (Liu_Reflection on Active Learning-1.pdf)

Faculty Biography

Yujuan Liu holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry Education and a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Liu teaches general chemistry lectures and general and organic chemistry laboratory courses. Her research interests include (1) developing and evaluating green chemistry experiments for undergraduate laboratory curriculum and (2) investigating student affect (e.g. motivation, self-efficacy, and goals) based on theory-based instruments for interventions to improve student achievement and retention. She is an active member of the Younger Chemistry Education Scholars Committee in Division of Chemical Education of American Chemical Society and has published many conference papers and journal articles on green chemistry laboratory, evidence-based instructional practices, student motivation, and social network analysis.

This work was supported by the Developing Hispanic Serving Institution Project INSPIRE