Sweeping Change in Manageable Units: A Modular Approach for Chemistry Curriculum Reform

该计划的目的是开发新的课程，材料和方法，这将提高每个本科生对科学，特别是化学的欣赏和学习，使所有大学毕业生都能掌握必要的知识和技能，以允许继续学习，过上富有成效的生活，并做出明智的决定。 为了完成这一使命，一个模块化的方法来教学化学在本科课程的头两年正在开发和评估。 一至四周的模块在现实世界的问题或应用的背景下向学生介绍基础化学，并强调化学与其他学科之间的联系。 与ChemLinks联盟合作，正在由两个联盟组成的两年制和四年制学院和研究型大学开发、测试和完善各种模块。 课程材料，包括适合不同文化和种族背景的学生并可在各种本科院校使用的文本、实验室和多媒体组件，正在由一家知名出版商制作和分发。 正在支持、试验和推广利用目前对学习过程的理解并强调主动学习和各种现代技术的教学方法。 正在为开发和评估新材料和新方法提供示范支持基础设施。 这项工作应产生一个不断改进课程的框架，并在联合体内制度化。 将在国家和区域会议上举办教员讲习班和会议，以保证传播。 我们的联盟机构现在积极参与职前教师培训和技术专家教育，并正在这些领域制定新的计划。 因此，我们的计划将通过开发适合教育未来教师和技术专家任务的模块化材料来强烈影响先进技术教育和教师准备计划。

The purpose of this program is to develop new curricula, materials and methods which will enhance the appreciation and learning of science, especially chemistry, for every undergraduate student such that all college graduates will command the knowledge and skills necessary to permit continued learning, lead productive lives, and make informed decisions. To accomplish this mission, a modular approach to teaching chemistry in the first two years of the undergraduate curriculum is being developed and evaluated. Modules of one to four weeks present fundamental chemistry to students in the context of a real-world problem or application and emphasize the links between chemistry and other disciplines. In collaboration with the ChemLinks Coalition, modules are being developed, tested and refined at the two- and four-year colleges and research universities comprising the two consortia. Curriculum materials, including text, lab, and multimedia components suitable for students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds and usable at a wide variety of undergraduate institutions are being produced and distributed by an established publisher. Teaching methods which utilize current understanding of learning processes and emphasize active learning and the full spectrum of modern technologies are being supported, tested and promulgated. A model support infrastructure for development and assessment of new materials and methods is being provided. A framework for continuous improvement of curricula should result from the work and be institutionalized within the consortium. Faculty workshops and sessions at national and regional meetings will be conducted to guarantee dissemination. Our consortium institutions now participate significantly in pre-service teacher training and education of technology specialists and are developing new programs in these areas. Thus, our program will strongly impact the Advanced Technological Education and Teacher Preparation Programs by develo ping modular materials appropriate to the task of educating future teachers and technology specialists.