Improving Preparation and Persistence in Undergraduate STEM: Why an Online Summer Preparatory Chemistry Course Makes Sense
- Derek Dockter*Derek Dockter*E-mail: [email protected]School of Education, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesDepartment of Chemistry, Fresno City College, 1101 East University Avenue, Fresno, California 93741, United StatesSchool of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 230 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United StatesCenter for Educational Effectiveness, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesMore by Derek Dockter
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- Catherine UvarovCatherine UvarovSchool of Education, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesDepartment of Chemistry, Fresno City College, 1101 East University Avenue, Fresno, California 93741, United StatesSchool of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 230 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United StatesCenter for Educational Effectiveness, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesMore by Catherine Uvarov
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- Alberto Guzman-AlvarezAlberto Guzman-AlvarezSchool of Education, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesDepartment of Chemistry, Fresno City College, 1101 East University Avenue, Fresno, California 93741, United StatesSchool of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 230 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United StatesCenter for Educational Effectiveness, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesMore by Alberto Guzman-Alvarez
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- Marco MolinaroMarco MolinaroSchool of Education, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesDepartment of Chemistry, Fresno City College, 1101 East University Avenue, Fresno, California 93741, United StatesSchool of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 230 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United StatesCenter for Educational Effectiveness, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United StatesMore by Marco Molinaro
Abstract
General chemistry is a foundational course that serves as a gateway to many STEM degrees. A high level of preparedness and motivation to succeed in STEM coursework correlates with success in general chemistry courses, and general chemistry is vital to persistence of students in STEM. Studies have indicated that an increasing number of students, especially underrepresented minority populations, placed into preparatory chemistry courses do not advance to general chemistry. This lack of advancement is an indicator that a one-size-fits-all preparatory chemistry course does not sufficiently target students’ cognitive and non-cognitive needs. In order to better support, prepare, and motivate students in STEM at UC Davis, an online, adaptive-responsive summer preparatory chemistry course (SP-Chem using ALEKS) was piloted as an alternative to placement exams and the fall, classroom-based preparatory chemistry course (WLD-41C) used for placement into general chemistry. Student performance in general chemistry was comparatively evaluated for four placement paths (SP-Chem, WLD-41C, placement exams, and repeating the course). Additionally, indicators of STEM persistence, namely student motivation and STEM identity, were surveyed and comparatively evaluated. Our findings of the effectiveness of an online, adaptive-responsive preparatory chemistry course, using both cognitive and non-cognitive measures, demonstrate the promise that online learning during the summer holds for improving student performance and persistence in general chemistry and STEM coursework.