| Title | Enhancements to CHEM 121: Chemistry Integrated Resource Package (ChiRP): Implementation and Revision Phase |
|---|---|
| Faculty/College/Unit | Science |
| Status | Completed |
| Duration | 2 Year |
| Initiation | 04/01/2008 |
| Completion | 03/31/2010 |
| Funding Details | |
| Year 1: Project Title | Enhancements to CHEM 121: Chemistry Integrated Resource Package and the Chemistry Resource Centre |
| Year 1: Project Year | Year 1 |
| Year 1: Funding Year | 2008/2009 |
| Year 1: Project Type | Small TLEF |
| Year 1: Principal Investigator | Derek Gates |
| Year 1: Funded Amount | 71,286 |
| Year 1: Team Members | Derek Gates, Chemistry, Faculty of Science |
| Year 1: Summary | This proposal describes two significant enhancements to CHEM 121, the first in a sequence of two mainstream general chemistry courses which serve 1700-2000 students per year. The Chemistry Integrated Resource Package (ChIRP) will combine all print resources for the course into a carefully designed, focused workbook. The second component to the proposal are enhancements to the Chemistry Resource Centre (CRC) which currently serves nine lower level chemistry courses as a drop-in help centre. The two components of this application are related in that the CRC improvements will be sustained via the modest profits made from sales of the ChIRP, as described below. Students will directly benefit from a tailored workbook to support their learning of fundamental chemistry concepts and better access to support outside of class in the CRC. Depending on the success of CHEM 121 ChiRP, it is likely that a similar project will be embarked upon in CHEM 123. |
| Year 2: Project Year | Year 2 |
| Year 2: Funding Year | 2009/2010 |
| Year 2: Project Type | Small TLEF |
| Year 2: Principal Investigator | Derek Gates |
| Year 2: Funded Amount | 31,600 |
| Year 2: Team Members | Derek Gates, Chemistry, Faculty of Science |
| Year 2: Summary | This proposal requests funding for the implementation and revision phase of the Chemistry Integrated Resource Package (ChIRP). ChIRP combines all print resources for CHEM 121, into a carefully designed, focused workbook. CHEM 121 is the first in a sequence of two mainstream general chemistry courses which serve 1700-2000 students per year. Students will directly benefit from a tailored workbook to support their learning of fundamental chemistry concepts. ChIRP is currently being written via a 2008-09 TLEF grant, and is on target for implementation of the first edition in the classroom in September 2009. As of 11/01/08, one chapter is ready for publication and three more of a total of thirteen chapters are in the final revision stage. Enhancements to the Chemistry Resource Centre (CRC) which currently serves nine lower level chemistry courses as a drop-in help centre were implemented via TLEF funding in 2008-09, and will be sustained next year via modest profits made from sales of the ChIRP when this is launched in the fall of 2009. Continuing funding for this project is requested here to (a) facilitate and monitor implementation of the workbook; (b) revise the workbook to remedy any deficiencies identified in the first year of use and (c) rewrite and revise the associated problem set questions. |