Building Instrumental Competence to Support Student Independence in the Laboratory

Gustavus Adolphus学院化学系正在进行一个项目，将其教学重点转移到包括学生仪器使用的毕业方法，特别是在本科课程的前两年。大一和大二化学课程的项目实施以实际使用GC-MS和ICP-MS、IR、UV/Vis、荧光和NMR光谱仪为中心。实现这种分级方法的一个关键因素是获得一台具有自动采样能力的400 MHz光谱仪，以促进通过早期本科化学课程结合NMR的使用。另一个关键因素是开发一个评估系统，以指导实施和衡量干预对学生独立研究准备的影响。为了研究对学生的影响，该项目正在使用课堂本科生研究经验（CURE）调查，以及一份单独的问卷调查，探讨研究中的信心，实验设计和解决问题的能力，以及学生参与的本科生研究数量。此外，学生的理解将通过实验室实践评估，课程学习模式和入学将进行检查。外部评价人员正在促进一个内部发展小组发展这些措施的有效性，评价人员正在审查机构数据以及审查其他评价方法。传播包括通过中部州科学和数学联合会为13所高等教育机构的教师举办和实施一个讲习班，在地方和国家本科科学教育论坛上发表演讲，并在化学教育场所发表论文。

The chemistry department at Gustavus Adolphus College is engaged in a project to shift its pedagogical focus to include a graduated approach to student instrument usage, particularly in the first two years of the undergraduate curriculum. Project implementation in freshman and sophomore chemistry courses centers around hands-on use of GC-MS and ICP-MS, IR, UV/Vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectrometers. A key element of implementing this graduated approach is the acquisition of a 400 MHz spectrometer with autosampling capability to facilitate the incorporation of NMR usage through the early undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Another key element is the development of an assessment system to guide the implementation and to measure the impact of the intervention on students' readiness for independent research. In order to study the impact on students, the project is making use of the Classroom Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) survey as well as a separate questionnaire exploring confidence, experimental design and problem-solving abilities in research, and the amount of undergraduate research in which the students are engaged. In addition, students' understanding is being assessed via a lab practical and course-taking patterns and enrollment will be examined. External evaluators are facilitating an internal development team to develop the validity of these measures and the evaluators are examining institutional data as well as reviewing the other assessment approaches. Dissemination includes the development and implementation of a workshop through the Midstates Consortium of Science and Math for faculty of 13 higher education institutions, presentations at local and national undergraduate science education forums, and papers published in chemical education venues.