AEI 33 |
| This is a two-phase study that examined the ways that chemistry students and experienced chemists approach predicting the products of main group inorganic chemistry reactions. In Phase 1, in-depth interviews were performed with college senior chemistry majors, first year chemistry graduate students, and professors in various chemistry fields. In the interviews, the subjects were asked to predict the products of a number of inorganic reactions of the form “A + B --> ___”, giving detailed explanations as to the reasoning behind their answers. Results from this phase pointed at suggestions for better teaching this subject in inorganic chemistry and points toward concepts chemists and chemistry students often fail to integrate, but need to be able to in order to become successful solvers of these types of problems. The study also highlights misconceptions that lead to incorrect answers. In Phase 2, the results from Phase 1 were introduced to volunteers from a descriptive inorganic chemistry class at Purdue University as a first iteration of an action research cycle. Results and feedback from this intervention are discussed. |
|
Academic Employment Initiative
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Sci-Mix
Academic Employment Initiative |