In recent semesters, professors and students have both begun to adjust to the new benefits and stresses of many of their courses being delivered in an online format. During this transition period, questions have been asked surrounding testing techniques and assessments that, while sufficient in testing student knowledge in a face-to-face format, may not be translating well in an education system that is hosting more remotely delivered courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This may not only not properly assess a student’s overall knowledge but also add stress and contempt to an already unprecedented semester, reducing the overall positive experience of the course from the student’s perspective. These are important aspects to think about when planning out a semester. Creative Exercises (CEs), an open-ended assessment in which students are asked to list an amount of unique, distinct and correct statements regarding a prompt, have been regarded as a valid way of assessing students understanding of chemical concepts as well as encourage students to make connections between differing chemical ideas in a face-to-face environment. This presentation aims to evaluate student attitude of a remote-delivered Fundamental Chemistry 1 course and investigate the impact of CEs on students’ opinion and attitude towards chemistry. Student responses to three CEs administered throughout the semester will also be evaluated to determine if students continue to make connections between the different ideas learned during the course of the semester, as well as possible connections with topics garnered from online sources. Student opinion will be measured using surveys distributed to students the first and last weeks of the semester. A comparison of these surveys hopes to reveal a positive change in student opinion of CEs and the subject of general chemistry as a whole.

Evaluating student experience with the use of creative exercises in a remote learning environment

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.