Incorporation of a Cooperative Learning Technique in Organic Chemistry

Abstract

The integration of a cooperative learning technique (Student Team Achievement Divisions or STAD) into a sophomore-level organic chemistry course is described. Students were assigned to Learning Teams according to their performance in the two terms of general chemistry and on a General Chemistry Review Sheet written by the author and administered on the first day of the organic chemistry class. Extra credit points applied to the students' exam scores were earned by Learning Team members if all members improved on their own past performance. The methods used to assign students to Learning Teams and to determine the amount of extra credit earned are presented. Student opinion surveys indicate that students support the use of the technique in organic chemistry.