Active Learning in Chemistry

Radical changes are required to make radical differences in the learning environment as well as radical gains in student achievement. At the beginning of the redesign all of the sections were taught using traditional lectures while the students listen and take notes. The typical pass rate (C or better) ranged from about 60 - 70% with under-represented minorities performing at the bottom. The overarching redesign theme is to utilize technology so that the learning environment is more fun and active. The most obvious course changes includes pre-recorded YouTube lectures and adaptive homework assignments. Failure rates have been cut by almost half, but the most important changes have been the positive impacts on student and instructor attitudes.