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1 The IDEA Experiments Enabling Genuine Inquiry in the Undergraduate Laboratory Dr Chris Thompson, Monash University
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Page 1: Learning Lunch Box Oct 2013 - Chris Thompson presentation

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The IDEA Experiments

Enabling Genuine Inquiry in the Undergraduate Laboratory

Dr Chris Thompson, Monash University

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• Why feel the need to change anything?

The IDEA Experiments

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• Why change anything?• National Secondary Curriculum.• Old and Stale.• Students themselves change.• We have better tools.• Graduate attributes.

The IDEA Experiments

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The IDEA Experiments

Inquiry Design

ExploreAnswer

?

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• Catalysing Change• Assoc Prof Les Kirkup

ALTC Fellowship

Visited Monash • Les’ Sticky Tape Exp!• Subsequently rolled out to

>50 demonstrators from chem/bio/phys at Monash.

The IDEA Experiments

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• Replaces the traditional recipe style experiment - no lab manual!

• Invokes a more authentic approach to science

Teamwork (3 – 4), collaborative

Ask questions, background research

• 6 Step Approach to enable genuine inquiry

The IDEA Experiments

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• Herron’s Hierachy of Inquiry

The IDEA Experiments

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• Organic Chem• Structural

Elucidation• Functional Group

Wet-tests• Synthesis• TLC• Recrystallisation

The IDEA Experiments

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• Cymbals• Crystal Field

Theory• Spectrophotometry• Quantitative &

Gravimetric Analysis

The IDEA Experiments

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• “What did you think was the main lesson to be learnt from this practical?”:

• "How to work as a scientist without any knowledge of (a) substance and determine it through experimentation"

• "Experimenters face a great deal of challenges when they are trying to find out something unknown. Even when they take all necessary precautions, they still may be faced with errors."

• "The issues and situations a chemist could experience in the field."

Student Perspectives

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• Does it work?We definitely think so!

• Is it easy to set up?Design

Demonstrators

• Are my colleagues on board?Yes, and the IDEAS are

spreading.

The IDEA Experiments

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• Does it work?We definitely think so!

• Is it easy to set up?Design

Demonstrators

• Are my colleagues on board?Yes, and the IDEAS are

spreading.

The IDEA Experiments

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• Where to from here?

• Transition to higher levels

• In Level 2 chemistry we’re already using fewer recipes, and diversifying assessment.

• Orals• The ‘Moot Court’.

The IDEA Experiments

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• Acknowledgements• The IDEA Team

Gerry Rayner

Theo Hughes

Kate-Charlton-Robb• The Chemistry Team

Mary-Rose Carroll

Dr Florence Laibe

Hayden Dickson

Ivan Martinez• Faculty of Science – Education Grant• SaMNet (esp. Cristina Varsavsky & Liz Johnson)

The IDEA Experiments