Journal article

Authors list: Graulich, N; Schween, M

Publication year: 2018

Pages: 376-383

Journal: Journal of Chemical Education

Volume number: 95

Issue number: 3

ISSN: 0021-9584

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00672

Publisher: American Chemical Society

Abstract: 
Acquiring conceptual understanding seems to be one of the main challenges students face when studying organic chemistry. Traditionally, organic chemistry presents an extensive variety of chemical transformations, which often lead students to recall an organic transformation rather than apply conceptual knowledge. Strong surface level focus and rather weak conceptual at knowledge is the consequence. Purposefully designed tasks, which help engaging students to "overlook" the structural features, are proposed here as a means to enhance conceptual understanding and the integration of concepts. Following the idea of contrasting cases, broadly used in science education, and mirroring the epistemic practice of organic chemistry, we illustrate how contrasting cases can be embedded in an inquiry process to highlight the influence of electronic substituent effects on reactive intermediates and rates of organic reactions.

Harvard Citation style: Graulich, N. and Schween, M. (2018) Concept-Oriented Task Design: Making Purposeful Case Comparisons in Organic Chemistry, Journal of Chemical Education, 95(3), pp. 376-383. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00672

APA Citation style: Graulich, N., & Schween, M. (2018). Concept-Oriented Task Design: Making Purposeful Case Comparisons in Organic Chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education. 95(3), 376-383. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00672