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Mechanism Templates: Lecture Aids for Effective Presentation of Mechanism in Introductory Organic Chemistry
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Abstract
To promote active student learning of mechanism in introductory organic chemistry, hand-outs have been developed with incomplete structures for reaction processes depicted, which I call mechanism templates. The key to these lecture aids is to provide only enough detail in the diagram to facilitate notetaking, ensuring that these templates are dynamic learning tools that must be utilized by an engaged and alert student. These templates have proven useful for emphasizing electron bookkeeping, using resonance stabilization in mechanism, illustrating mechanisms with many steps and elucidating unusual mechanisms such as rearrangements. From an assessment of these learning aids, students find that these materials assist in recording mechanistic processes and improve their comprehension of lecture material. These materials were developed to emphasize the value of mechanism in problem-solving using the principles of reactivity. With this approach, the basic tools of problem-solving are presented in a manner that engages the student to think about mechanism, promoting questions and discussion. The purpose of this paper is two-fold: 1) to present the design and use of lecture aids for effective presentation of mechanism in organic chemistry and 2) to present data from a student evaluation of these lecture aids.
Keywords (Audience):
First-Year Undergraduate / GeneralKeywords (Domain):
Organic ChemistryKeywords (Subject):
Learning TheoriesCiting Articles
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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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