Supplemental Instruction (SI) through peer-led, group study sessions provides an opportunity for organic chemistry students to work with a peer who has been successful in completing organic chemistry.  These sessions are supplemental to the professors' lectures.  In  SI sessions, the peer leader can work with the students to construct a web of knowledge by developing tables, making diagrams, and creating anticipated spectra for organic molecules.  They can analyze organic reactions and problems and list steps and approaches for solving them.   The informal setting allows students to ask questions to clarify their understanding of the organic chemistry concepts.  A scaffolded approach helps students to create a web of knowledge in organic chemistry, and it reinforces lecture material.   Results indicate an improved ABC versus DFWI rate and an increase in ACS scores on the Organic Chemistry I exam for SI attendees.

Constructing a web of knowledge in organic chemistry through supplemental instruction

244th National Meeting (2012)

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