Blended Learning with Multimedia e-Learning in Organic Chemistry Course

Abstract

In traditional chemistry courses, they normally include lectures, tutorials and laboratory sections. In an undergraduate course Advances in Organic Chemistry, it covers a wide range of advanced information in organic chemistry, including reaction mechanisms, strategies for synthetic methods and their applications to the synthesis of natural products. The purpose of this course is to help students develop advanced knowledge of synthetic tools, and to learn how to apply these theoretical strategies to real examples. We tried to develop a blended learning mode with e-components in this course, attempting to combine the best features of the traditional distance learning and face-to-face modes of teaching with the incorporation of multimedia videos (demonstration of laboratory techniques and experiments) and interactive web-based components (online lab quiz, interactive discussion board and electronic copy of study units). In this course, we would like to enhance and develop students' ability to understand and perform chemistry experiments. These materials are better to be prepared in multimedia video with the demonstration of experiments that can be described more clearly compared with just using textbook and lecture notes. Students can perform laboratory experiments by themselves on laboratory classes after learning these techniques in the video.