Session Type

Short and Tweet

Room

P&A Rm 150

Start Date

9-7-2015 12:00 AM

Keywords

Organic chemistry, guided-inquiry, reaction optimization, problem-solving, bridging the gap between the classroom and research laboratory

Primary Threads

Teaching and Learning Science

Abstract

Summary:

This talk will discuss how guided-inquiry experiments bridge the gap between the classroom and research laboratory through active learning and problem solving.

Abstract:

In most undergraduate laboratory courses, students perform thoroughly tested experiments with proven results. These exercises do not necessarily represent a research laboratory experience where reaction outcomes are unknown and procedures are routinely optimized for higher yield and purity. This talk will focus on the role and impact of guided-inquiry learning in the undergraduate laboratory by highlighting two new experiments in the second year organic chemistry curriculum at the University of Toronto, which effectively bridges the gap between the classroom and research laboratory. These types of experiments are useful teaching tools across all Science disciplines as they give students the opportunity to experience the challenges of conducting scientific research while encouraging active learning through creative problem solving. The process of developing these new laboratory activities and select student experimental results will be briefly discussed. The impact of guided-inquiry experiments towards student learning will also be presented by sharing the data collected from student evaluations.

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Jul 9th, 12:00 AM

Incorporating Guided-Inquiry Learning into the Undergraduate Laboratory

P&A Rm 150

Summary:

This talk will discuss how guided-inquiry experiments bridge the gap between the classroom and research laboratory through active learning and problem solving.

Abstract:

In most undergraduate laboratory courses, students perform thoroughly tested experiments with proven results. These exercises do not necessarily represent a research laboratory experience where reaction outcomes are unknown and procedures are routinely optimized for higher yield and purity. This talk will focus on the role and impact of guided-inquiry learning in the undergraduate laboratory by highlighting two new experiments in the second year organic chemistry curriculum at the University of Toronto, which effectively bridges the gap between the classroom and research laboratory. These types of experiments are useful teaching tools across all Science disciplines as they give students the opportunity to experience the challenges of conducting scientific research while encouraging active learning through creative problem solving. The process of developing these new laboratory activities and select student experimental results will be briefly discussed. The impact of guided-inquiry experiments towards student learning will also be presented by sharing the data collected from student evaluations.