using the apple itouch in undergraduate organic chemistry

School of Science and TechnologySchool of Science and Technology

Using the Apple iTouch in Undergraduate Organic Chemistry

Drs. Mai Yin Tsoi, Julia Paredes, Richard Pennington, David Pursell, Joseph Sloop

Dave Gabrell, Kathleen Moore, Gautam Saha

School of Science and Technology

Technology Association of GeorgiaExcalibur Award – Educational Division


One Grant Two StudiesStudy A: Use of iTouch in Organic Chemistry Course

VideosFlashcardsStudent SurveysStudent InterviewsClass Quizzes

Study B: Development of App in an Interdisciplinary Project

Organic Class = clientHiring of ITEC Class for projectModeling real-world Software DevelopmentApp helps Organic students learnInterviews / Surveys


Overview of Organic iTouch Study

GGC Vision and MissionRationale/Literature ReviewTimeline/Description of Project DesignQuantitative ResultsQualitative Results


GGC Vision and Mission

1Georgia Gwinnett College Web page, http://www.ggc.usg.edu/about-ggc 2School of Science and Technology Mission, http://www.ggc.usg.edu/academics/school-of-science-and-technology

learning takes place continuously in and beyond the classroom

innovative use of educational technology

integrated educational experience that develops the whole person

wellspring of educational innovation

dynamic learning community

faculty engagement in teaching and mentoring students

innovative approaches to education

GGC Vision1

. . . provides an innovative, engaging, outcomes-based learning experience for students in science courses . . . (charge from Dean Thomas G. Mundie)

SST Mission2


http://www.ggc.usg.edu/about-ggc

http://www.ggc.usg.edu/academics/school-of-science-and-technology

Adapt to Today’s Students To Make Chemistry and Biology Easier•Students often find Chemistry and Biology challenging•Learning is more tied to technology •Technology enhances learning experience IF used•Take the work load to the student, • keep the busy work out of learning


Flashcards + Cellphone???

•Flashcards memorization•Repetition is key!•Rare: carry flashcards everywhere•Common: carry cell phones everywhere!•Why not take advantage of the learning potential?!?



A Preference for Cellphones

Lower cost of ownership versus Laptops

Can expect access outside school

May lead to more “access” of material = more review/learning

Small learning curve

Multimedia

Higher motivation, engagement, time on task


Achievement

Sturgeon, J., T H E Journal, 2007, 34, 16-18.


• Cell phone with PowerPoint Mobile• Cards organized by text chapter• Format of cards is flexible• Provide students a semester worth

of cards at beginning of term• Encourage use during homework,

problem solving sessions, and lab• Phones not allowed on graded

events

“I always have my phone, now I always have my flash cards.”


1st Generation of Flashcards


“Front” “Back”


Etherexample:

1st Generation of Flashcards


• “seamless learning contexts”1

• “one-to-one” learning2

• Tailored to class needs• preliminary empirical data: positive

• Access• Software/hardware compatability• Limited by Powerpoint issues

Pros/Cons to Cellphone Flashcards

1 Looi, C. et al. (2010) Mobilizing the Research. Education Week, 29, 6, p 34, 36.2 Banister, S. (2010) Integrating the iPod Touch in K-12 Education: Visions and Vices. Computers in the Schools, 27, 2, p 121-31


iTouch Project – Fall 2010Internal GGC Grant = $5000Purchased 25 Apple iTouch devicesDistributed to 2 class sectionsVoluntary Participation

Demographic SurveyChemistry Attitude Survey (CAEQ)1

Surveys after each quizInterviews of selected students

1. Dalgety, J. et al. (2003) Development of Chemistry Attitudes and Experiences Questionnaire. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 40, 7, p 649-668.

Quantitative Results - Preliminary

•No significant difference in quiz scores (only 2 of 12 available so far)•No significant difference in Chemistry Attitudes and Experiences (CAEQ scores)•Demographic data not analyzed yet

Quantitative Results:POSSIBLE ISSUES•Low number of students•Limited content resources•Quizzes not directly linked to iTouch resources•Usage not regulated/documented•Steep learning curve – students AND faculty!


Qualitative Results – Interviewee Demographics

Ages: 21 to 28 years old, self-selectedAllen: Asian maleKeith: Asian maleDora: Caucasian femaleValerie: Caucasian female

--------------------------Phung – Asian femaleBrenda – Caucasian femaleMatt – Caucasian male



Summary – Cellphone Cards Users



Summary – iTouch Users


Study Purpose

Interviewee Did/Did Not Use

General Comments

Necessity Phung DidLots of

personalization

Multi-Function,

mobile

Thorough Brenda Did, Some personalization

Uses all given resources

Efficient Matt Did, Lots of personalization

Saves time, minimize effort

USED OWN iPHONE


Trends in InterviewsIf technology supported

learning/study style USEIf learning style was not enhanced by technology NO USEiTouch added “study purpose” to use

Study purpose affected how iTouch used


General Indications

•Students enjoy using iTouch•Material accessed more frequently•Low n, low power = non-significant statistical results•Learning style/purpose impacts use (or lack of) of mobile device


Podcasts of Lecture & Lab Content;Chair conformations

FlashcardsCH 10 Flashcards

Lab VideoReflux Video


Questions & Comments

School of Science and TechnologySchool of Science and Technology

Using the iTouch in a Symbiotic, Interdisciplinary Collaboration – TsoiChem AppDrs. Mai Yin Tsoi and Sonal Dekhane


Overview of ITEC/CHEM App Study

Background and Results of Part IITEC 3870CHEM 2211Fundamentals of TsoiChem App

Functional GroupsQuantitative Results

Quiz scoresUsability Testing

Demonstration of TsoiChem App


Mobile App Project-Part I:Background

Background:Inspiration: daughter’s iTouch

experienceDr. Tsoi’s goal: iTouch learning tool

Main objective: Will a real-world project impact Software Development students’ learning?


ITEC 3870 – Software Development II

Junior/senior level courseGoal: teach students how to implement SD in real-world projectsProject-based course – project can change each semesterSmall enrollmentMobile apps introduced 1st class meeting


CHEM 2211/2 – Organic Chemistry

Required course for majors in: Biology, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dental, etc.Historically VERY difficultVisual in nature – utilizes spatial, logical, abstract thinkingFunctional groups – difficult because of variety of representations


What IS a Functional Group?

Specific group of atoms reactions of moleculeCan be represented different formatsStudents must be able to:

Recognize FG in all formatsName FGAdjust molecule name to reflect FG (future goal)

Examples of Functional Groups

Amine Ester Alcohol

OHNH

O

O

Issues with Functional Groups

Textbook says: AMINE is

But, these ALL are amines…

NH2

CH3CH2NHCH3 NH3

N

CONFUSING!


Planning of TsoiChem App

Scaffolded LearningImmediate feedbackSelf-ReflectionHaptic LearningMultiple Modes of Learning (audio, visual)Extrinsic MotivationShallow learning curveBloom’s Taxonomy (higher levels)


TsoiChem App3 Modes of Learning

Practice It, Name It, Find ItFriendly avatarTutorial screens, Help screensColors to differentiate / guide userVisuals re-affirmed by color and soundPositive visuals/sounds as rewardsGentle encouragement when incorrect

Functional Group Quiz

O

Cl

O

O

N

O

HN

F

O

HO

Br

HS

O OHO

O

O

NH2

O (CH3)2CHCH2CH2COOH

CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH2CH2COCl

CH3CH2CH2COCH2CH3


Results of App Use – Quiz Results

No statistical difference – app vs. non-app users App users at least comparable to non-app users

App did not adversely affect learners’ scoresNeed more data - may indicate factors

HOW TsoiChem was used – WHEN TsoiChem was usedHOW OFTEN TsoiChem was used

Possible: App users = less time studying, but got same score, etc.


Results of App Use – Usability Testing

Practice Name It Find It

87 7

1 1 1

34 4

Ease of Use?Yes No Somewhat



Practice Name It Find It

5

6 66

4

2

1

2

4

IS THE APP CLEAR?Yes No Somewhat



Series1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

HELPFUL?

YesNoSomewhat


TsoiChem App – Learning FG

PRACTICE IT NAME IT FIND IT

Future Directions

•Pilot TsoiChem at other institutions•Continue refining/editing TsoiChem•Develop more chemistry apps•Acids/bases•Spectroscopy•Mechanisms

•Grants to support faster development

Thank You!

Dr. Mai Yin Tsoi

[email protected]

(678) 524-7992

using the apple itouch in undergraduate organic chemistry

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