Examining general chemistry students' thought processes via interviews

CHED 2

Carrie G. Shepler, cshepler@uga.edu, Kimberly D. Schurmeier, kschurme@uga.edu, and Charles H Atwood. Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2556
After each hour test in our first semester General Chemistry course at the University of Georgia we have interviewed approximately 20 students divided based upon their grades: 4 A students, 4 B students, 4 C students, 4 D students, and 4 F students. For each test we chose four to six questions which we believed would reveal the most about their approaches to problem solving. Students were asked to describe their thought process for each question. We have identified some significant differences in how students approach questions that correlate to their test grade. These correlations as well as general trends observed from these interactions with students will be presented.
 

Research in Chemical Education
8:30 AM-11:35 AM, Sunday, March 25, 2007 McCormick Place North -- Room N227A, Level 2, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007