Collaborative Research: Improving Student Learning in Organic Chemistry Using Chemical Reaction Simulations

合作研究：利用化学反应模拟提高学生在有机化学方面的学习

• 批准号: 2121023
• 负责人: Daniel Ess
• 金额: $ 14.86万
• 依托单位: Brigham Young University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2021-10-15 至 2024-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2121023&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Improving; Student; Learning

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving academic performance and understanding for undergraduate college students in organic chemistry. Understanding and learning from chemical structure representations is an important part of learning chemistry concepts and how to apply them. For many students, visualizing 3D structures of molecules to develop an understanding of complex organic chemical reactions can be challenging. Previous work has shown that 3D graphics for physical representations can have a positive impact on student achievement. This project will develop and assess interactive visualization software that will provide physically accurate 3D animations of organic and organometallic reactions to improve student learning. It is expected that students who use this application will be more engaged in learning, develop a deeper understanding of chemical reactions, and improve their spatial reasoning skills. The project will assess the impact of the application on instructor motivation, students’ spatial reasoning skills, and students’ understanding of chemical reactions based on quantitative and qualitative data from interviews, focus groups, tests, and quizzes. The application will be made freely available to the public through online stores and information on the use of the application will be disseminated to the chemical education community thorough online videos, social media, and professional conferences.The goal of this project is to improve student learning of organic chemical reactions using an interactive animation application that can be used by instructors in teaching organic chemistry as well as students. The animations will be based on physically correct quantum-mechanical calculations to produce molecular dynamics simulations that represent reaction pathway trajectories. A smartphone application that displays the animations will be developed in an iterative manner using instructor feedback, student feedback, and literature data. Focus groups, surveys, and think-alouds will be used to support the iterative development process. The qualitative data that is elicited will be analyzed using NVivo to obtain insights on instructor and student perceptions of the application. To assess the effectiveness of the application, student success on designed quizzes will be compared for control and treatment groups of students. The quiz questions will probe 3D elements of organic chemistry. To determine the impact of the application on students’ spatial reasoning skills, the Purdue Visualization of Rotation Test (PVRT) will be administered to students involved in the study at the end of their organic chemistry course. Student performance on this test will be compared for those who used the application versus those who did not use it. Statistical analysis of this quantitative data will be used to determine differences in student performance. Project results will be disseminated to the chemical education community via publication and regular presentations at scientific meetings. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该项目旨在通过提高有机化学本科生的学习成绩和理解来服务于国家利益。理解和学习化学结构表征是学习化学概念和如何应用它们的重要组成部分。对于许多学生来说，可视化分子的3D结构以了解复杂的有机化学反应可能具有挑战性。以前的工作表明，3D图形的物理表示可以对学生的成绩产生积极的影响。该项目将开发和评估交互式可视化软件，该软件将提供有机和有机金属反应的物理准确的3D动画，以改善学生的学习。预计使用此应用程序的学生将更专注于学习，对化学反应有更深入的了解，并提高他们的空间推理能力。该项目将根据访谈、焦点小组、测试和测验中的定量和定性数据，评估应用程序对教师动机、学生空间推理能力和学生对化学反应的理解的影响。该应用程序将通过在线商店免费提供给公众，并通过在线视频，社交媒体和专业会议向化学教育界传播应用程序的使用信息。该项目的目标是使用交互式动画应用程序来提高学生对有机化学反应的学习，该应用程序可供教师和学生在有机化学教学中使用。动画将基于物理上正确的量子力学计算，以产生代表反应途径轨迹的分子动力学模拟。将使用教师反馈、学生反馈和文献数据以迭代方式开发显示动画的智能手机应用程序。焦点小组、调查和大声思考将用于支持迭代开发过程。将使用NVivo分析得出的定性数据，以了解教师和学生对应用程序的看法。为了评估应用程序的有效性，将比较控制组和治疗组学生在设计测验中的成绩。测验问题将探索有机化学的3D元素。为了确定应用程序对学生的空间推理能力的影响，普渡旋转可视化测试（PVRT）将在有机化学课程结束时对参与研究的学生进行管理。使用该应用程序的学生与未使用该应用程序的学生在此测试中的表现将进行比较。对这些定量数据的统计分析将用于确定学生表现的差异。项目成果将通过出版物和在科学会议上定期介绍的方式向化学教育界传播。NSF IUSE：EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

项目成果

Interactive Organic Reaction Trajectory Animation iPhone Application (iORA) and Web Site (webORA)

交互式有机反应轨迹动画 iPhone 应用程序 (iORA) 和网站 (webORA)

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00983
• 发表时间: 2023
• 期刊: Journal of Chemical Education
• 影响因子: 3
• 作者: Chen, Shusen;Rossberg, Jared;Brown, Jeremiah;Reed, Gabriel;Todd, Nathan;Yu, Allyson;Fleming, Steven A.;Ess, Daniel H.
• 通讯作者: Ess, Daniel H.