This proposal describes a new initiative for improving our introductory organic chemistry course (CHEM 215). CHEM 215 is the second lecture course in organic chemistry with enrollments ranging from 350–1000 students per term. Because this class enrolls mainly first-year students, the instructors devote a significant amount of class time to demonstrating how to approach and solve problems. Although this exercise is useful, some of this work could be effectively and permanently moved “online,” which would immediately enable the faculty to introduce additional material, including advanced and topical concepts in organic chemistry, and enable the GSIs to spend more time on complex topics in their discussion sections. We further propose to generate the new, online instructional materials by engaging students enrolled in an independent study course (CHEM 220). Specifically, these students will be tasked with constructing, reviewing and editing questions and incorporating them into a feedback-driven, online learning environment, which will be available to the larger course. This initiative is expected to make a significant impact on both learning and performance in the second-semester introductory organic chemistry course at Michigan.
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