My approach to teaching organic chemistry is an amalgam of traditional and new techniques. My goal is to provide as many avenues into the heart of the material as possible. I commonly use presentation aids like molecular modeling software and web animations during or in support of lectures. I often break the class into small groups to work on more complex problems and then have them report back to the class as a whole. Whenever possible, I try to encourage students to think/draw/do with models in their hands or on a computer. The course is taught from a mechanistic perspective, students are given as many tools as possible to understand the general reactivity of organic molecules and how to follow the reactions that do occur. Qualitative MO theory is used extensively with spectroscopy being introduced late in the first semester. Given this, I am not satisfied with the overall performance of my students and am seeking new ways of presenting and working on the material, hence my desire to organize and participate in this workshop!
Back to Symposia: Chemical Education - Rethinking Organic Chemistry
Back to The 33rd Northeast Regional Meeting (July 14-17, 2005)