A WEB-BASED TEACHING TOOL FOR MULTI-STEP SYNTHESIS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY: STUDENT PERSPECTIVES AND MOTIVATIONS

A web based organic chemistry practice tool that increases active learning has been shown to result in improved student success in an organic chemistry course. Undergraduate level organic chemistry courses require students to solve different kinds of problems. Of these, students generally find multi-step synthesis to be the most challenging. We built an online practice environment that provides students with practice and guidance in solving multi-step synthesis problems. Student performance in multi-step synthesis problems in class assessments was collected and compared to website usage for organic chemistry classes in 2011 and 2012. For both the 2011 and the 2012 classes, statistical analysis shows that website usage is connected to increased performance on multi-step synthesis problems. A covariate analysis was used to correct for other student-centric factors such as diligence and background knowledge. We also studied motivational factors that influence students' website usage and performance. Data was also collected that showed how the students interacted with the site, and their perceptions of its usefulness. Student website usage is found to be positively correlated with some motivational factors on particular, specifically self-determination. Engagement with the site and perceptions of its usefulness are also highest for students who are more self-determined.