Historically, one of the most difficult topics in organic chemistry is Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Prior assessment of student knowledge indicated students lacked a fundamental understanding of hydrogen environments, impact of functional groups, and interpreting spectra. The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program helps students to grasp the basic theory, usage, and analysis of NMR spectroscopy and previous results indicated a better understanding of NMR for students who attended a majority of SI sessions. However, results from previous research on the same topics showed that the methods used needed to be revised by using more intensive scaffolding and a more consistent systematic approach to helping students learn NMR spectroscopy. New methods, including more curricula based on scaffolding, the Socratic method, conceptual development, and group work were implemented. Students were assessed on their levels of improvement using pre and post semester tests which measured their understanding and ability to apply NMR spectroscopy.

More systematic approach to learning NMR spectroscopy

249th National Meeting (2015)

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