Comparison of POGIL and traditional lecture in organic chemistry

CHED 141

Gary D. Anderson, anderson@marshall.edu, Department of Chemistry, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755-2520
This paper compares the results from using the POGIL approach and using the traditional lecture approach with two groups of students in Organic Chemistry I. As far as possible all other differences were kept to a minimum. There were approximately 85 students in each group. The same professor taught both groups using the same text, homework, quizzes, exams, and help sessions. We will look at any differences in outcomes at the end of the first semester. Students who successfully completed the first course went on to take Organic Chemistry from a different professor who used a traditional lecture approach. The ACS standard exam was used as the final exam in Organic II. We will look at any differences in performance of the two groups on the ACS exam and in overall performance in the second course.