I experimented with a few lesson design strategies and I think that BOPPPS is a tried-and-true method to structure impactful lectures. Implemented with ample scaffolding, students establish competence on top of their knowledge base upon my guidance. The following exhibits demonstrate this intention:
Teaching Examples
Bridge-In
Inorganic Chemistry
A bridge-in is a way to motivate students into discussing the subject matter. From a natural science perspective, it is often a more rewarding experience through re-discovery through drawing observations from daily life. Where possible, every day object may be used to introduce a concept.
When do coins really smell?
- Coins, by itself, do not smell. Try it out!
- Only after you touch it, it gives off an odor. Why?
- Your hand transfers skin oil onto the coin.
- Upon contact, skin oils react with iron to give detectable compounds.
- This is an example of an organometallic reaction.
- Reference: Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016 45, 42, 2006-2009
Outcomes
Analytical Chemistry
Example learning outcomes for graduate students on method development in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
- Describe different modules of an HPLC, using the ‘following-the-line’ method
- Define and give examples of stationary and mobile phases in reverse-phase HPLC
- Discuss the importance of sample preparation from a machine maintenance perspective
- Justify the advantages of using two wavelengths per Beer-Lambert Law
- Create a five-step quaternary pump cycle method, and justify the function of each step
Pre-assessment
Medical Imaging
An interactive pre-assessment activity to gauge familiarity of medical imaging to a 80-student cohort of graduate students in oncology.
Poll: What do you know about Non-Invasive Imaging Methods?
The QR code leads to an in-class online-polling system for real time feedback.
Participatory Learning
Nuclear Science
An in-lab assignment where an interdisciplinary cohort of graduate students learned about radiation shielding using a Geiger-Müller counter.
Post-assessment
In-Lecture Formative Assessments
Pharmaco-genomics
A in-lecture assignment where an interdisciplinary cohort of graduate students learned about the mechanism of the alcohol flush reaction.
Chemical Biology
A gallery walk where 4th year undergraduates and 1st year graduate students described and critiqued different methods of solid phase DNA synthesis.
Post-Lecture Formative + Summative Assessments
Post-lecture formative and summative assessments are withheld from public disclosure because they are used in live courses. Such release would compromise exam integrity. If you are interested, please feel free to ask me about them via Contact Me.