The entire chemistry and biochemistry curriculum at High Point University has been scrutinized and modified in the past three academic years resulting in measurable increases in student understanding of core chemistry concepts as determined by the American Chemical Society exams. Specific attention has been paid to all sections of the General and Organic Chemistry foundation courses to ensure a more uniform experience for students that is rigorous and testable. Online homework has become an integral part of the general chemistry experience with all sections adopting a “quasi-flipped classroom” approach. In this approach, all sections now require approximately five algorithmic pre-lecture questions due at least a half an hour prior to the start of class, in addition to the more traditional post-lecture weekly homework set. The pre-lecture questions have been assigned using Pearson’s MasteringChemistry tool with a targeted average time to complete of 12 – 15 minutes. In the past, faculty have assigned pre-lecture questions that are lower on Bloom’s Taxonomy such as definitions, but the change to algorithmic questions has resulted in noticeable improvements in student engagement in classroom activities such as classroom polling questions or in-class worksheets. Data will be shown from different sections of General Chemistry I and II about student exam performance and online homework engagement including grades and time spent on task. Other changes to the General Chemistry program include the development of a department wide “Chemistry Learning Laboratory” group tutoring program, General Chemistry enrollment advising first year students based on SAT math scores, and less lecture and more in-class problem solving sessions which will be discussed further. Extensive assessment with ACS exams has been performed with major improvements across all class sections on the General Chemistry first and full year exams in the past two years. Other factors that might influence this will trend also be discussed.

Creating "quasi-flipped" classrooms using online homework tools for general chemistry in the transformation of an undergraduate chemistry department

251st National Meeting (2016)

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