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So I'm going to outline my course so that this sounds a bit less like grade gatekeeping. Context: I put this whole remote lab together in ~1.5 weeks while not having childcare for part of it. My aim was "make it fun" & based off @RissaChem interview...1/ https://twitter.com/DrCJSobers/status/1326993202746953732
"teach them concepts [...] & critical understanding of working in a lab." Ex: I know UV/Vis but I have to be taught software etc in every new lab I work in. So I decided that technique emphasis was a waste of time. The class was* 2/
Wk1 safety (impt but also buffer for late adds)
Wk2 techniques & dimensional analysis (est. community & TA)
Wk3 density at home (make balance, does data match obs)
Wk4 density in lab (compare technical approach to at home lab)
Wk5 density research (intro to library) 3/
Wk2 techniques & dimensional analysis (est. community & TA)
Wk3 density at home (make balance, does data match obs)
Wk4 density in lab (compare technical approach to at home lab)
Wk5 density research (intro to library) 3/
There was more to Wk5 but I cancelled it because when I tested it, it was too hard. I needed a break to think. Then kids got sick & had to stay home half the week. I also introduced a makeup (that BB screwed up). But moving on 4/
Wk6 stoichiometry (graphing & ideal vs real)
Wk7 calorimetry (make the math real & the most "accurate" lab)
Wk8 chromatography (intermolecular forces & fun)
Wk9-11 presentation on a new experiment
5/
Wk7 calorimetry (make the math real & the most "accurate" lab)
Wk8 chromatography (intermolecular forces & fun)
Wk9-11 presentation on a new experiment
5/
For various reasons, I got rid of Wk9-11 and replaced it with 2 weeks of "research" to introduce search skills and the library. Also to show how chemistry can be found in places outside of pharma and academia. I also put in a grade boost (up to 2 letter grades) 6/
Where they repeat a wet lab and improve it and compare to previous attempt. A pet peeve for me about lab is they don't get the experiment repetition & optimization experience. 7/
Clearly I can't grade on accuracy so grading was mostly "take pictures while you do it and compare your results to classmates" and sometimes "answer question(s) about the chemistry happening." The questions are mostly of the what do you think type but 8/
We do grade for proper use of chemistry concepts. The labs are after the topic is covered in lecture & after the TAs cover in lab as well.
To pass with a C, you have to pass 2 labs (share your data usually) & 4 post labs (report of pictures and question answers) 9/
To pass with a C, you have to pass 2 labs (share your data usually) & 4 post labs (report of pictures and question answers) 9/
I condensed the research weeks because university policy & usual semester stress patterns said they would need lab time. So deadlines got extended as well. 10/
There's no self-grading or reflection b/c I didn't have the structure in place to do that properly. So 2 wet labs, 2 dry labs, free week, & a make up + lab repeat = A. 15% have a guaranteed* A with 3 labs left. We're doing individual mtgs now to get the Fs to Cs 11/
So the train moves but I'm doing everything I can to catch the ppl falling off. I try to ensure pass & some understanding. I don't promise As. Given 100s of students & dozens of new TAs, that's all I can ask. 12/
