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Author ORCID Identifier
N/A
AccessType
Open Access Dissertation
Document Type
dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Degree Program
Education
Year Degree Awarded
2014
Month Degree Awarded
February
First Advisor
Kathleen Davis
Second Advisor
Martina Nieswandt
Third Advisor
Julian Tyson
Subject Categories
Cognitive Psychology | Curriculum and Instruction | Organic Chemistry | Other Chemistry | Science and Mathematics Education | Theory, Knowledge and Science
Abstract
The study of organic chemistry requires the understanding and use of spatial relationships, which can be challenging for many students. Prior research has shown that there is a need to develop students’ spatial reasoning skills. To that end, this study implemented guided activities designed to strengthen students’ spatial skills, with the aim of preparing students for organic chemistry and other future STEM courses. Students, taking the second semester of a two-semester general chemistry course, engaged in these activities. This study followed a quasi experimental design, in which the experimental (n = 209) and the control group (n = 212) were administered a pre-test. Students voluntarily chose to participate in one, two or three activities during their laboratory periods. At the completion of the semester, both groups participated in a post-test designed to measure spatial skill acquisition. The results show that the mean score rose in the experimental group after each successive intervention. A one-way ANOVA confirmed that student performance differed significantly between the three interventions and the control group. When disaggregating post-test results by gender, male and female students showed approximately the same overall mean score improvement.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/7m7g-yx31
Recommended Citation
Carlisle, Deborah L., "Developing Spatial Reasoning Skills in General Chemistry Students" (2014). Doctoral Dissertations. 59.
https://doi.org/10.7275/7m7g-yx31
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/59
Included in
Cognitive Psychology Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Organic Chemistry Commons, Other Chemistry Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons