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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2007  > May  >
In the Laboratory
Incorporating Guided-Inquiry Learning into the Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Barbara A. Gaddis
Science Learning Center, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Allen M. Schoffstall
Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Cover
May 2007
Vol. 84 No. 5
p. 848

Abstract
Informed science educators who are responsible for undergraduate laboratory programs strive to improve the effectiveness of learning in the laboratory. Guided-inquiry learning in the laboratory is one reasonable alternative (among others described here) to the verification approach to learning. Guided-inquiry learning offers students the opportunity to learn for themselves in a controlled laboratory environment where the instructor can handle the outcome and help guide students who are experiencing difficulty. Guided-inquiry experiments in organic chemistry have merit because they may help to improve understanding while increasing student interest. This paper presents the advantages and disadvantages of guided-inquiry experiments in organic chemistry. Several different types of guided-inquiry experiments in organic chemistry are summarized, together with the rationale for converting verification laboratory procedures to guided-inquiry experiments. Examples are given for enhancing guided-inquiry experiments to make the outcomes less predictable.
More Information
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Citation
Gaddis, Barbara A.; Schoffstall, Allen M. J. Chem. Educ. 2007, 84, 848.
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Keywords
Inquiry-Based / Discovery Learning; Laboratory Instruction; Learning Theories; Second-Year Undergraduate; Student-Centered Learning; Upper-Division Undergraduate
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
3/22/2007
3/27/2007
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Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
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