An Active Learning Activity to Reinforce the Design Components of the Corticosteroids

Abstract

Despite the popularity of active learning applications over the past few decades, few activities have been reported for the field of medicinal chemistry. The purpose of this study is to report a new active learning activity, describe participant contributions, and examine participant performance on the assessment questions mapped to the objective covered by the activity. In this particular activity, students are asked to design two novel corticosteroids as a group (6–8 students per group) based on the design characteristics of marketed corticosteroids covered in lecture coupled with their pharmaceutics knowledge from the previous semester and then defend their design to the class through an interactive presentation model. Although class performance on the objective mapped to this material on the assessment did not reach statistical significance, use of this activity has allowed fruitful discussion of misunderstood concepts and facilitated multiple changes to the lecture presentation. As pharmacy schools continue to emphasize alternative learning pedagogies, publication of previously implemented activities demonstrating their use will help others apply similar methodologies.

Facilitating Virtual Medicinal Chemistry Active Learning Assignments Using Advanced Zoom Features during COVID-19 Campus Closure

“…Furthermore, with the help of active learning, students’ focus can be directed toward the critical evaluation of drug structure to address a relevant therapeutic situation. Small-team activities also encourage one-on-one instructor–student interactions, especially benefiting a student population less equipped with chemical knowledge …”

“…9 Pharmacy students' understanding and knowledge of chemistry varies significantly; therefore, the incorporation of active learning approaches greatly benefits this heterogeneous student population. 10 Furthermore, with the help of active learning, students' focus can be directed toward the critical evaluation of drug structure to address a relevant therapeutic situation. Small-team activities also encourage one-on-one instructor−student interactions, especially benefiting a student population less equipped with chemical knowledge.…”

“…Small-team activities also encourage one-on-one instructor−student interactions, especially benefiting a student population less equipped with chemical knowledge. 10 The medicinal chemistry curriculum at D'Youville School of Pharmacy is highly integrated across several courses, encompassing professional years P1 to P3. The students learn basic aspects of medicinal chemistry and drug metabolism in year P1, Special Issue: Insights Gained While Teaching Chemistry in the Two team activities were planned, one covering the diabetes section of the course and other on male and female sex hormones.…”

Drug Design – An experiment for chemistry class during preparation for the A‐levels

“…Es wurden mehrere Anläufe unternommen, es für den schulischen Einsatz zu erschließen , was ebenfalls seine Zukunftsrelevanz und Aktualität mit Blick auf die Chemiedidaktik unterstreicht. Auch zum Einsatz in der Hochschullehre wurden mehrere Publikationen zur Thematik veröffentlicht . Unter den Vorschlägen für den schulischen Kontext befinden sich beispielsweise Publikationen zur Synthese von Schmerzmitteln (Aspirin) und zum Austausch eines Substituenten zur besseren Wachstumshemmung von Bakterien ; auch wurden durch den Fonds der Chemischen Industrie Unterrichtsmaterialien, u. a. zu den Themen Verteilungskoeffizient Octanol/Wasser ( Lipinski rule of five ) und Antibiotika , publiziert.…”