Journal article
Using a Molecular Modeling Application to Introduce Structural Isomerism
Journal of chemical education
16 Aug 2023
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Novice chemists often struggle with the highly visualnature ofsome chemistry topics. To make visually demanding concepts, such asisomerism and stereochemistry, more accessible to students, chemistryinstructors have long recommended the use of molecular model kitsas visual aids. However, studies pertaining to student model usagehave shown that students are unlikely to spontaneously use molecularmodels to solve problems, even though it was shown that students thatactively manipulated the models are more likely to correctly completevisually demanding organic chemistry tasks. Here we report an activitythat engages students in molecular model usage while exploring structuralisomerism. The activity consists of three sections and is designedto be completed after students have been introduced to structuralisomerism. We chose to implement the activity during the first laboratorysession after the content introduction. The activity takes approximately35 min to complete, regardless of virtual or in-person administration.Postactivity surveys from two academic quarters showed that over 70%of students indicated that the modeling tool improved their 3D perceptionof molecules. However, a smaller percentage of students indicatedthat they would use the modeling tool as a supplement to their normalstudy habits.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Using a Molecular Modeling Application to Introduce Structural Isomerism
- Creators
- Adrienne M. Pesce - Drexel Univ, Dept Chem, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USADaniel B. King - Drexel Univ, Dept Chem, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Publication Details
- Journal of chemical education
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society; Washington, DC
- Number of pages
- 5
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Chemistry
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001048816900001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85169167962
- Other Identifier
- 991021066651704721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Web of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
- Education, Scientific Disciplines