Catalyzing Change: Reimagining Chemistry 250
FELLOWS: BRIAN FAULK & KEITH ROBINSON
Catalyzing Change: Reimagining Chemistry 250 is rooted in a desire to pivot from an approach that utilizes a traditional textbook to one that leverages online materials and blended learning approaches. This collaborative, open process will engage faculty and students in reimagining Chemistry 250 from the ground up with an eye toward designing shared learning modules—hosted on platforms such as Canvas or eBook—and a range of blended techniques for piloting and assessing in the classroom. As other faculty members and departments explore the possibility of moving away from textbooks, Brian Faulk looks forward to sharing lessons learned and good practices associated with innovative teaching and learning strategies.
The E-Book
General Chemistry: An Introduction
Brian D. Faulk, Keith Robinson
During 20014-15, together with a host of collaborators, including fellow Chemistry Instructor Keith Robinson and students Carter Page ’15 & Tas Yusuntoorn ’15, Faulk led the creation of the first three chapters of their interactive textbook for Andover’s Chemistry 250. In addition, they have created canvas modules (including quizzes and lab video tutorials) to accompany each chapter. Through 2015-16 they will continue to develop the textbook and to share lessons learned and their vision for future development.
They will offer the final project as both an iBooks and in pdf format (available on Canvas and on the iBooks store).
Open Andover
Open Andover features introductory videos to common labs in Chemistry 250 and 300. Created by students Carter Page ’14 and Tas Yusoontorn ’14, the YouTube channel aims to reduce class time devoted to going over basic lab procedure. Rather than giving students a paper description that few will actually read or understand, educators can assign these energetic videos for homework and jump straight into the lab in class. Check out the Open Andover channel on YouTube >>
…(I)magine that I gave you an instruction manual to put together a piece of furniture, let’s say a bookshelf, but this manual had no pictures—just words. I’d bet you’d have a very tough time. Well that’s exactly what’s going on in our labs today.
”Over the summer of 2015, Carter Page worked to finalize these videos by pairing them with animated graphics and audio voiceovers. Afterwards, he worked to create a guide for teachers unfamiliar with video tools on how they could create their own digital content that would engage students outside the classroom.