Peer Review

Course - Chemistry 216 - The Synthesis and Characterization of Carbonyl Compounds

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Reviewed:: Jan 2, 2014 by Teacher Education

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Overview:: CHEM 216 builds on the experimental approach started in CHEM 211. Students participate in planning exactly what they are going to do in the laboratory by being given general goals and directions that have to be adapted to fit the specific project they will be working on. They use microscale equipment, which requires them to develop manual dexterity and care in working in the laboratory. They also evaluate the results of their experiments by checking for identity and purity using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. This course is part of the 2011-2013 MELO 3D project, supported by an LSA Instructional Technology Committee New Initiatives/New Infrastructure grant.
Type of Material:: Online Course
Recommended Uses:: A good example of using laboratory experiences to teach and learn chemistry concepts; part of an undergraduate program for chemistry and biochemistry majors, students in premed and nursing programs; a preview for high school students considering a career in chemistry.
Technical Requirements:: Internet browser Secure Java plugin Adobe Reader
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Lecture The lecture portion of the course includes discussion of reaction chemistry and stoichiometry, lab techniques, infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The theme of chemistry for this term is "The Chemistry of Carbonyl Compounds". The chemistry presented corresponds to that in Chemistry 215 and the two courses should be taken together. Lab The laboratory in chemistry 216 is designed to build on your experience in Chemistry 211 toward the development of skills in laboratory technique and in asking and answering questions about chemistry by designing experiments. You will have some freedom to organize and design your own work and to cooperate with your classmates in solving problems.
Target Student Population:: Undergraduates as part of a degree in chemistry, biochemistry, premed or nursing; an introduction to the work of organic chemists for high school students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: One year undergrad or AP chemistry; introductory undergrad course in organic chemistry; at University of Michigan Chem 210/211

Content Quality

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Strengths:: Comprehensive with excellent supplementary materials; Laboratory activities have clear and concise directions with opportunities for higher order thinking built into the laboratory experience (it would be difficult to "cookbook" this class); An excellent compilation of essential laboratory techniques used by practicing organic chemists
Concerns:: These are very, very minor: *in the acetylation on aniline: one doses not dissolves aniline in water since the two substances are immiscible; only when adding the conc HCl and formation of aniline HCl which is water soluble is there a solution. *in the aldol condensation lab: the idea of encouraging the students' creativity by posing alternative focus questions is exemplary; however, by requiring a hypothesis seems to be contrary to the intent of using a focus question.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: This material could be used as a complete course or an excellent tutorial for a student who is having difficulty with this level/type of chemistry. The laboratory design encourages higher order thinking skills; the use of a variety of instrumental methods engages the students in building scientific arguments based on evidence.
Concerns:: Again this is very minor and might be attributed to a matter of style; but one reviewer thinks the instructor missed an opportunity in the small group work to engage the students in the practices of organic chemists instead of using the traditional format of hypothesis,experimental procedure, results and conclusions; although this is the formal format for reporting work when publishing this is NOT work being submitted for publication.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: This is an excellent shell for an online course; it is very easy to navigate to and from any of the links provided.
Concerns:: One reviewer had some difficulty installing the Java plugin from the course shell; it froze the reviewer's computer.

Other Issues and Comments:: The course designer should be commended for providing an exemplary online course that interfaces seamlessly with the laboratory activities. One reviewer noted, "As an organic chemist and K-12 educator, I found it refreshing to see the inclusion of creativity in some of the laboratory experiences."
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