ERIC Number: EJ1269476
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jul
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1756-1108
EISSN: N/A
Support for Instructional Scaffolding with [superscript 1]H NMR Spectral Features in Organic Chemistry Textbook Problems
Chemistry Education Research and Practice, v21 n3 p749-764 Jul 2020
Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is vital to synthesis and provides rich problem-solving opportunities to organic chemistry students. Using the theories of scaffolding, interleaving, and blocking, our research systematically explores how textbooks introduce and reinforce spectral features when teaching students to solve [superscript 1]H NMR spectroscopy problems. Specifically, we investigated the [superscript 1]H NMR spectral features presented in worked examples and practice problems across four undergraduate organic chemistry textbooks. We examined the frequency and ordering of spectral features to explore how the textbooks could support scaffolded instruction. Spectral features like the number of signals and chemical shift were covered by problems more frequently, while integration was covered least. Our findings suggest that textbooks do not provide sufficient practice with all [superscript 1]H NMR spectral features. We observed no discernible pattern in how textbooks ordered spectral features of [superscript 1]H NMR in problems, indicating that there is little systematic method to the design of textbook chapters. Implications for textbook authors and editors, instruction, and research are discussed.
Descriptors: Organic Chemistry, Science Instruction, Textbooks, Scaffolding (Teaching Technique), Spectroscopy, College Science, Undergraduate Study, Textbook Content, Scientific Concepts
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: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A