ERIC Number: EJ1418284
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1756-1108
Available Date: N/A
Development and Implementation of Chemistry Mindset Modules in Two General Chemistry Courses at a Hispanic-Serving Institution: An Exploratory Study
Tung S. Nguyen; Julia Y. K. Chan; Jade T. K. Ha; Ugo Umekwe-Odudu; Sachel M. Villafane
Chemistry Education Research and Practice, v25 n1 p544-559 2024
Retention and underrepresentation of diverse ethnic groups have been and continue to be problematic in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in the United States. One foundational course that is required for all STEM majors is general chemistry. One way to increase retention and diversity in STEM majors is by targeting students' social-psychological beliefs about their academic success through the implementation of social-psychological interventions. These short impactful exercises aim to change students' thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about their academic success and affective characteristics. In this exploratory study, we designed and implemented two chemistry specific growth-mindset modules (GMMs) in two first-year chemistry courses (general chemistry 1 (GC1) and general chemistry 2 (GC2)) at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Students worked on the GMMs asynchronously at two specific time points throughout the semester. Using a mixed-methods approach, we assessed students': (1) changes in mindset beliefs, chemistry self-efficacy (CSE), and chemistry performance, (2) perceptions towards failures and challenges, and (3) perceptions on growth-mindset modules (GMM) after participation in GMMs. Overall, GC2 students shifted towards a growth mindset and away from a fixed mindset, with small to medium effect sizes detected. No statistically significant changes in GC1 students' mindsets were detected throughout the study period. For both courses, students increased in CSE by the end of semester. Furthermore, GC1 students who participated in any portion of the GMM intervention achieved higher scores on the ACS exam compared to those who didn't participate. Additionally, students' written responses highlighted an improved attitudinal change towards failures and challenges after participating in GMMs. For both courses, over 95% of the students agreed that the GMMs were valuable, over 95% students indicated they developed more positive attitudes and perspectives towards challenges, and over 96% students believed they could learn challenging topics with effort, determination, and persistence. While these results show differences in performance, CSE, mindset scores, and attitudinal change after participation in GMMs, it is also important to acknowledge that self-selection into the study may be one of the factors for explaining such differences. Results and implications for practice are discussed.
Descriptors: Chemistry, Science Instruction, Minority Serving Institutions, Hispanic American Students, Self Efficacy, Science Achievement, Academic Persistence, Disproportionate Representation, Majors (Students), Intervention, Social Psychology, Undergraduate Students, Attitudes, Student Attitudes, Science Tests, Scores, Factor Analysis, Outcomes of Education
Royal Society of Chemistry. Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK. Tel: +44-1223 420066; Fax: +44-1223 423623; e-mail: cerp@rsc.org; Web site: http://www.rsc.org/cerp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: N/A
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A