Using online collaborative learning to introduce green chemistry to undergraduate organic laboratories

CHED 1579

Christina Elizabeth Munson, Munson2@ku.edu1, April N. French, frencha@nsula.edu2, Briana R Barron1, and Joseph A. Heppert, jheppert@ku.edu1. (1) Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, 1251 Wescoe Hall Drive, 2010 Malott Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045, (2) Department of Chemistry and Physics, Northwestern State University, 118 Fournet Hall, Natchitoches, LA 71457
Understanding and appreciating green chemistry can be daunting for undergraduate organic chemistry students. Many students find the general topics covered in an organic chemistry laboratory course overwhelming. One way to illustrate the difference between a standard organic chemistry and a green organic chemistry experiment is a side by side comparison of the two experiments. Students worked in groups of four, where two students performed the traditional experiment and two students performed the green experiment. In order to facilitate a collaborative learning experience, students wrote their lab reports on a Wiki, an online feature available in Blackboard. Teaching assistants provided feedback as students were completing their lab report. In these experiments students were introduced to green techniques via online collaborative learning techniques in addition to learning traditional organic laboratory techniques.
 

Using Technology to Enhance Learning in Organic Chemistry
8:20 AM-11:15 AM, Thursday, April 10, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- Melrose, Oral

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Sci-Mix

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008