Finding the Time for Active Learning in Organic Chemistry and Why It’s Worth It

There are many strategies for incorporating active learning into the organic chemistry classroom. For an instructor looking to add some of these practices to their course, the issue is not a lack of options. The problem is one of adoption. That is, how do we make it easier for instructors to transition their teaching from passive lecturing to more active learning practices? Organic Chemistry is a dense course packed with material to cover, such that adding active learning components can feel like they come at the cost of cutting required course content. Prelecture videos and assignments are ways to free up time in lecture for more engaging activities without sacrificing important material. Transitioning away from standard passive lectures will certainly require effort, but the payoff is more than just increased student test scores and chemical comprehension. Active learning can help create a sense of community in the classroom and illuminate the significance of organic chemistry in a larger context. These are outcomes that any instructor hopes to instill in their course.