Bringing the Lab to the Chemistry GIRs via Guided Learning Demonstrations

Learning from experiments is a key part of a chemistry education, but constraints on student time prevent pairing first-year chemistry with instructional labs at MIT. Consequently, many concepts remain too abstract for students to easily grasp. Herein, we bring the lab to the Chemistry GIRs via Guided Learning Demonstrations (GLDs) that drive home key concepts in first-year chemistry. Each GLD includes a video experiment and concept questions to help students setup and analyze the experiment. We will film experiments and create modules during SU2020 to pilot in the FA20 5.111 and ES.5.111. We also propose a 3-credit course in ESG during IAP21, in which students will design, film, and edit their own GLD. The GLDs we produce and optimize will see many years of use across the Chemistry GIRs.