Organic reaction mechanisms are one of the most challenging question types in introductory organic chemistry subjects. We identified that the students within our health-based programs had traditionally performed poorly with these question types. With the aim to increase student engagement, we have developed a series of lightboard videos…

An assessment of the acylation of ferrocene laboratory exercise across three successive years resulted in a significant fluctuation in student perception of the experiment. This perception was measured by collecting student responses to an instrument immediately after the experiment, which includes Likert and open-ended responses from the student.…

A study of chemistry students in an organic practical class, where they were required to work on their own, found considerable benefits in allowing them to work independently in a less organised environment. Although apprehensive at first, they soon gained a self-belief in their own abilities and were able to complete the course with minimal input…

Briefly examines recent trends and developments in tertiary level chemistry in Australia, together with views of its worth, its traditional and non-traditional organization, and the various aims and objectives of chemistry instruction. Attempts to show the implications of these considerations on the teaching of introductory organic chemistry. (JR)

Attempts to identify common assumptions which underlie introductory courses in organic chemistry, and relates these to some learning difficulties experienced by students. (Author/JR)

This publication contains 317 multiple-choice chemistry test items related to topics covered in the Victorian (Australia) Year 12 chemistry course. It allows teachers access to a range of items suitable for diagnostic and achievement purposes, supplementing the ACER Chemistry Test Item Collection--Year 12 (CHEMTIC). The topics covered are: organic…

This study on problem solving used a sample of 92 people, broken down as follows: 56 first year chemistry students, 18 Tertiary Orientation Project (T.O.P.) students, 7 H.S.C. students, 8 second year chemistry students, 2 staff members, and 1 technician. Subjects were each given four elementary organic chemistry problems. Each session consisted of…

How might exemplary practice be represented by teachers' narratives? How might such representations be analyzed? How might theory and practice be related? "Analyzing Exemplary Science Teaching" is a text that seeks to combine educational theory and practice through analysis of a series of teachers' descriptions of "exemplary"…