Implementing guided-inquiry in the general chemistry laboratory

CHED 1542

Christy D. Bean, beancd@gmail.com, Department of Chemistry, Lamar University, PO Box 10022, Beaumont, TX 77710 and Richard S. Lumpkin, richard.lumpkin@lamar.edu, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Lamar University, PO BOX 10022, Beaumont, TX 77710-0022.
Implementing guided-inquiry into the laboratory in response to current reforms can be challenging for both students and faculty. Guided-inquiry laboratories offer a pathway that minimizes cost in terms of time and equipment while maximizing student success in developing inquiry skills and constructing content knowledge.

A set of guided-inquiry laboratories was designed and implemented into the second semester of undergraduate general chemistry. It was found that students using the guided-inquiry laboratory format gained more knowledge and greater understanding of the chemical concepts studied in the laboratory than a control group of students who conducted the standard expository laboratories. The guided-inquiry laboratories elicited active thought from the students and fostered positive student attitudes towards laboratory work.

 

Laboratory Pedagogy: Research-Based Evaluation of Existing Models
1:30 PM-4:10 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Hilton New Orleans Riverside -- HEC B, Oral

Division of Chemical Education

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