Vertical Integration of Raman Spectroscopy into the Chemistry Curriculum

佛罗里达大西洋大学化学与生物化学系的教员正在将拉曼光谱实验和经验垂直整合到本科化学课程中。该项目旨在解决关键的、特定课程的、学生的学习成果以及基本的、锚定的概念（“大创意”）。该项目通过获得一个复杂的拉曼光谱仪来实现这一目标，并随着学生在课程序列中的进展，使用该仪器来介绍和强化越来越复杂的化学概念。该项目是化学课程重组的一部分，其中包括“从光谱到学习”的方法。拉曼光谱帮助学生深入学习分子结构，定量分析，反应机制的阐明，以及光谱如何辅助研究。该项目展示和建立了一种方法，通过这种方法，复杂的光谱仪器可以在整个化学课程中使用，以促进各级学生对锚定概念的理解。随着化学课程的发展，学生们越来越多地参与到基于拉曼仪器的先进实验中来，使他们能够：(1)将课堂上教授的理论与真实的研究和工业实践联系起来；(2)成为自己学习中更积极、更负责任的参与者；(3)加强和扩展他们对先前学过的概念的理解。独立顾问正在指导对这一努力的有效性的评估，其目的是提高学生对化学原理的理解和他们对学习的态度。FAU校园的学生群体确保不同的人群体验到与最先进仪器的亲身体验。调查人员正在通过演讲和专门的网站传播他们的工作成果。此外，一本以新颖的大学生拉曼经验和实验为特色的插图手册正在准备出版。教师手册也正在编制中，其中包括学习成果的前后测量方法。

The faculty in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Florida Atlantic University are vertically integrating Raman spectroscopy experiments and experiences into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. The project is addressing key, course-specific, student learning outcomes as well as fundamental, anchoring concepts ('big ideas'). The project is accomplishing this by acquiring a sophisticated Raman spectrometer and is using this instrument to introduce and reinforce increasingly more complex chemistry concepts as a student progresses through the course sequence. This project is part of a restructured chemistry curriculum that includes a 'spectroscopy-to-learn' approach. Raman spectroscopy is aiding students' deep learning of molecular structure, quantitative analysis, the elucidation of reaction mechanisms, and how spectroscopy aids research.The project is demonstrating and establishing the methods by which a sophisticated spectroscopic instrument can be utilized throughout the entire chemistry curriculum to promote understanding of anchoring concepts at all levels. Students are engaging with increasingly more advanced Raman instrument-based experiments as they progress through the chemistry curriculum enabling them to: (1) connect the theory taught in lectures with authentic research and industry practice; (2) become more active and responsible participants in their own learning; and (3) reinforce and extend their understanding of concepts previously learned. Independent consultants are guiding the evaluation of the effectiveness of this effort aimed at the over-arching ideas of improving student understanding of chemical principles and their attitudes towards learning.The student body of the FAU campus ensures a diverse population is experiencing a hands-on encounter with state-of-the-art instrumentation. The investigators are disseminating their work through presentations and a dedicated web site. In addition, an illustrated handbook featuring the novel undergraduate Raman experiences and experiments is being prepared for publication. An instructor's manual that contains both pre- and post-measures of learning outcomes is also being developed.