Training OC: A New Course Concept for Training the Application of Basic Concepts in Organic Chemistry

Abstract

The course design "Training OC" for training the application of basic concepts consists of four topics: formula language, structure−property relations, reaction mechanisms, and complex tasks that the students should solve with the conceptual knowledge they acquired in the first three topics. A main goal of the course was to enable the students to solve reaction mechanisms. To achieve the goals of the course, several games were specially designed and used. The course was conducted at a German university with ca. 30 students who participated voluntarily. The course was evaluated by several tools: students' products were collected in the course, there were two pre/post-tests, and additionally, interviews on the strategy of designing reaction mechanisms were conducted. The performance of the teacher and the self-assessment of the students were also part of the evaluation. The results of the written exam were compared with the results of the bachelor chemistry major students. The course "Training OC" was rated very well by the students. They were of the opinion that they learned the application of basic concepts taught in this course. This is supported by the results of the evaluation and the written exams. The course concept of Training OC will therefore become a permanent part of the course "Organic Chemistry I" which will be redesigned for the next round in 2020−21.

School-Related Content Knowledge in Organic Chemistry—How Does the Students’ Rating of Their Perceived Relevance of Tasks Differ between Bachelor and Master Studies?

“…This new course will no longer focus on the subject families (from alkanes until carboxylic acids) as linking element but will focus on core concepts as for example structure–property relationships or reaction mechanisms. This focus should also prevent the preservice teachers from rote memorizing the complete content of the lecture, a problem repeatedly discussed in chemistry education literature. − When taking into account that a teacher works for approximately 40 years after finishing university studies, conceptual knowledge on organic chemistry is to be preferred to knowledge of subject families, as it is more sustainable and also transferable to new topics. Transferable knowledge is therefore also a major part of the SRCK concept.…”

“…28 A new course concept for the development of basic skills in organic chemistry for preservice chemistry teachers was developed, applied, and evaluated by us. 29 While solving the tasks developed according to the SRCK concept, the students have to apply knowledge from the lecture in a new context and for a new problem. If the students also perceive the tasks as relevant, they should be motivated to engage in the tasks.…”

“…The students should “better develop skills in connecting structures to reactivity through learning patterns and principles” . A new course concept for the development of basic skills in organic chemistry for preservice chemistry teachers was developed, applied, and evaluated by us …”

Online Teaching in the Course “Organic Chemistry” for Nonmajor Chemistry Students: From Necessity to Opportunity

“…The seminar, which will be in classroom, focuses on basic skills which can be trained best in an interactive format. The advantage of a classroom course, the interaction between students, can here be used very effectively as was shown in an evaluation of this format . The original idea, to use this new format in the seminars, could not be conducted in this course already because of the online teaching.…”

“…The advantage of a classroom course, the interaction between students, can here be used very effectively as was shown in an evaluation of this format. 19 The original idea, to use this new format in the seminars, could not be conducted in this course already because of the online teaching. The tasks from the online course will be provided via the Moodle platform and can be used as an additional training opportunity by the students at home.…”