course transformations

Drs. Marc Muñiz, Christine Altinis-Kiraz, and Mary Emenike published a description of their course transformation of the extended general chemistry course in January 2022 Special Issue of the Journal of Chemical Education: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect in Chemistry Education Research and Practice.

The transformation efforts are centered around the Heads and Hearts hypothesis proposed by Theobald and colleagues in their 2020 PNAS meta-analysis (doi:10.1073/pnas.1916903117).

The article outlines the theoretical frameworks that ground the included practices and interventions, as well as the connections to Meaningful Learning Theory (Bretz, 2021, doi:10.1021/ed078p1107.6), metacognition (Tanner, 2012, doi:10.1187/cbe.12-03-0033), and the constructs of diversity, inclusion, access, equity, and respect.

Muñiz, M. N., Altinis-Kiraz, C., & Emenike, M. E. (2022). Extending Equity, Access, and Inclusion: An Evolving Multifaceted Approach to Transform a General Chemistry Course at a Large, Flagship, Research Institution. Journal of Chemical Education, 99(1), 227-238. doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00387

 

About the Authors

Marc Muñiz is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, with a background in chemistry education research. In addition to teaching extended general chemistry, Muñiz teaches honors general chemistry and active learning recitations in general chemistry. Muñiz has previously taught physical chemistry, physical chemistry lab, general chemistry, and chemistry courses for pre-service high school chemistry teachers. Learn more about Muñiz’s research and teaching here: https://sasose.rutgers.edu/triad-coalition/93-triad-coalition/who-we-are/231-marc-muniz-about

Christine Altinis-Kiraz is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, with a background in organic chemistry. In addition to teaching extended general chemistry, Altinis-Kiraz teaches active learning recitations in general chemistry and is one of the academic co-coordinators for the department. Altinis-Kiraz has previously taught organic chemistry lectures, recitations, and active learning workshops, and the first-semester organic chemistry laboratory course for chemistry majors.

Mary Emenike is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, with a background in chemistry education research. In addition to teaching extended general chemistry, Emenike teaches the Introduction to Chemistry Education course for chemistry peer leaders (teaching interns and undergraduate laboratory teaching assistants), which is required for the Certificate in Chemistry Education and the ACS Chemistry Education Minor. Emenike has previously taught the pedagogy course required for first-semester Learning Assistants - Peer Instruction Education. Learn more about Emenike’s teaching and research here: https://sasose.rutgers.edu/triad-coalition/93-triad-coalition/who-we-are/196-mary-emenike-about