Can peer assisted learning be effective in undergraduate mathematics?

We report the implementation and evaluation of a ‘peer assisted learning’ (PAL) scheme designed to reduce the so-called ‘cooling off’ phenomenon in undergraduate mathematics. ‘Cooling off’ occurs when mathematics undergraduates lose motivation and interest in their studies, despite having previously actively chosen to study it at higher levels. We found that, despite concerns about the novel didactic contract inherent in PAL schemes, a majority of students chose to engage with the scheme, and that the student leaders of the PAL sessions were generally capable of implementing a student-centred pedagogy. Furthermore, we found that students who attended the PAL sessions had higher achievement in their final examinations, even after controlling for their lecture attendance and prior attainment. We conclude by arguing that PAL may provide a useful mechanism for reducing the prevalence of the ‘cooling off’ phenomenon in some – but not all – groups of mathematics students.     

化学专业学术型硕士研究生培养与本科科研训练有效衔接的探究

阐述了高水平学术型硕士研究生培养与本科科研体验衔接的基本情况,以化学专业为例,就学术型硕士培养与本科创新性科研实践的衔接模式进行了详细的剖析,指出2者的衔接有助于高层次、高科研水平与高创新能力的硕士研究生培养。     

The safer chemical design game. Gamification of green chemistry and safer chemical design concepts for high school and undergraduate students

Green chemistry can strongly attract students to chemistry. We, therefore, developed a green chemistry educational game that motivates students at the undergraduate and advanced high school levels to consider green chemistry and sustainability concerns as they design a hypothetical, chemical product. The game is intended for incorporation into any chemistry course for majors and non-majors that teaches sustainability and/or the Principles of Green Chemistry at the undergraduate level. The game is free of charge and encourages students to think like professional chemical designers and to develop a chemical product with respect to function and improved human and environmental health. This computer simulation has been assessed by educators and can be seamlessly integrated into an existing curriculum.     

Developing flexible procedural knowledge in undergraduate calculus

Mathematics experts often choose appropriate procedures to produce an efficient or elegant solution to a mathematical task. This flexible procedural knowledge distinguishes novice and expert procedural performances. This article reports on an intervention intended to aid the development of undergraduate calculus students’ flexible use of procedures. Two sections of the same course were randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions. Treatment students completed an assignment on which they resolved derivative-finding problems with alternative methods and compared the two resulting solutions. Control students were assigned a list of functions to differentiate. On the post-intervention test, treatment students were more likely to use a variety of solution methods without prompting than the control. Moreover, the set of treatment section solutions were closer to those of a group of mathematics experts. This study presents evidence that not only is flexible procedural knowledge a key skill in tertiary mathematics, it can be taught.     

大学生个体发展多元化背景下“差别化”考试的改革与实践

在目前大学生个体发展多元化的社会大背景下,对所讲授的“物理化学”课程的考试方法进行了探索和实践,针对不同学生,在不显著影响考试卷面分数分布的前提下,提高对高分数段学生的区分度,降低对低数段学生的考核难度。在课程结束后的闭卷考试试卷中增加备选题,同时设计了相应的计分规则。考试结束后对试卷中“备选题”的利用情况和学生得分情况进行了综合分析和评价。实践结果表明,上述考试方法的调整达到了预期设定的目标。本实践结果也为“差别化”考试方法的推广提供了教学改革研究依据。     

大学生科研创新训练的探索与实践——以1,4-二(1-羧亚甲基-4-咪唑基)苯的合成为例

开展了以1,4-二(1-羧亚甲基-4-咪唑基)苯的合成为内容的大学生科研创新训练,从化合物合成路线设计、结构表征、性质研究等方面进行探索与实践。结果表明,大学生科研实践能有效地促进理论知识体系和实践技能相整合,提高学生的综合素质和创新能力。     

课题研究模式在本科生问题解决能力培养中的应用

采用课题研究模式,指导学生完成一定课题任务,使学生学会独立思考、分析问题和解决问题,最终培养创新能力。该模式实施步骤包括选题、学生遴选、调研、实验、结项等主要步骤。课题类型包括实验型、工程(设计)型和创业型。详细分析了每一步的具体要求和实施方法,并结合近年来课题组指导学生的实例,探讨了该模式的特点和实施效果。结果表明,该模式对培养学生的创新能力是有效的、可行的,但需进一步改进完善。     

关于本科生科研能力培养的思考

在高等教育人才培养中对本科生进行科研能力的培养不仅是时代的要求,而且也是确保更高层次人才培养质量的基本保障。本文介绍与分析了我国现阶段高等教育开展本科生科研的意义与作用,并针对如何在研究型大学和地方综合性大学两类不同层次的大学中做好本科生科研提出了一些自己的认识,包括如何在本科生科研培养过程中树立端正的学风;应当将教学与科研相结合;如何处理好本科生外语能力的培养与科学研究的关系;建立本科生科研中的合作式学习模式;积极开展课外科技活动的意义和具体实践,合作式学习并探讨了其他国家本科生科研能力培养中值得借鉴的一些经验。     

大学生创新实验项目在应用型人才培养中的探索与实践

以新型溴化烷基取代吡啶类季铵盐的合成实验作为大学生创新实验训练项目,从文献查阅、设计合成路线、优选反应条件、表征物质结构等方面进行实践训练。结果表明,大学生科研实践可强化学生理论知识与科研实践的相互渗透、相互促进,在构建系统化知识体系的基础上,能提高学生的实践能力和创新能力。