(1 minute, 3 seconds, 5.3 MB)

( Clark Landis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, New Traditions Project)

Let's illustrate techniques for incorporating active learning into the classroom with a model course. Chemistry 104 is a mainstream general chemistry course taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Total enrollment is 350 students with lectures led by the course instructor and teaching assistant lead discussion and laboratory sections.

(Clark Landis in the Classroom, voice-over continues)

Among the student focused active learning techniques used in this course are:

• thematic teaching,
• interactive lectures via concept tests,
• learning communities,
• and challenge problems to foster cooperative learning.

(John Moore in the classroom, voice-over continues)

Thematic teaching uses the context of current real world issues to develop fundamental chemical principals.

Concept tests are in lecture questions which focus on specific concepts. Answers are voted on by students both before and after discussion with their peers. Concept tests provide opportunities for immediate feedback for both students and instructors on the mastery of specific concepts.

 

© 1997 Division of Chemical Education, Inc., American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.