Discovery learning in large introductory chemistry courses at UMBC

CHED 492

William R. LaCourse, lacourse@umbc.edu, Tara Carpenter, Diana Hamilton, and Mark Perks. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
The implementation of the POGIL method of instruction was initiated in CHEM 101 starting the fall of 2005. The major modification consisted of adding weekly two-hour “discovery learning” sessions for all students. By this approach, learners actively take knowledge, connect it to previously assimilated knowledge and make it theirs by constructing their own interpretation. Initial results are very promising. Compared to the fall of 2004, which was typical of past years, there was a significant increase in the pass rate (grades of C or better increased from 69.8% to 86.7%). Grades of A and B also increased, from 34.6% to 44.9%. Similar results were obtained for fall of 2006 with an overall pass rate of 85.0% (45.5% of grades A and B). The increase in retention has been matched by a feeling of increased learning, knowledge, and goodwill. We are in the process of extending this model to CHEM 102.